Great Eastern Hotel set for a new beginning

Guests had stopped checking into the Great Eastern Hotel in Kolkata in the late 1990s. The shutters were downed in 2005. But now, re-christened as The Lalit Great Eastern, Asia’s first luxury hotel that had once hosted luminaries such as Queen Elizabeth II and Mahatma Gnadhi is set for a new beginning.

Of course, name change is not something new to this hotel that was once called “the Jewel of the East” by Mark Twain. It started off in 1840 as Auckland Hotel (named after the then Governor General of India, Lord Auckland) and was colloquially called Wilson’s Hotel.

In 1865, it came to be known as The Great Eastern Hotel Wine and General Purveying Co. Among the Indian luminaries who held shares in the company were W C Bonnerjee, the first President of the Indian National Congress.

December Re-Opening

Lalit Suri-promoted Bharat Hotels Ltd, which operates under “The Lalit” brand, is the new owner of the property, and is planning to reopen it next month.

According to Jyotsna Suri, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Hotels, two blocks comprising of a heritage block and a contemporary one are likely to be opened by mid-December. There will be 195 guest-rooms across the two blocks. Bharat Hotels acquired a 90 per cent stake in The Great Eastern from the West Bengal government in 2005 for Rs 52 crore. The frontal portion overlooking the Central business district – now categorised as a Heritage – will be operational in at least another six months.

The Lalit, has so far spent Rs 355 crore (including the cost of acquisition) in renovating the hotel. According to Jyotsna Suri, around Rs 20 crore will be spent in decking up the frontal portion to its original look.

Journey of Decline

The hotel’s decline began after Independence, although its English owners had divested their stake in the property as early as in 1930.

By 1970, the hotel turned sick with the Bengal government nationalising it in 1975.

The situation was further complicated as labour unions blocked an attempt by the Jyoti Basu government to hand over the property to Paris-based hospitality company Accor Group in the 1990s.

“Great Eastern’s new journey symbolises West Bengal’s resurgence. The hotel was, is and will remain a popular destination,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said during the inauguration.

Old-world luxury

David Wilson set up the hotel in 1840. Hotel was named after the then Governor General of India, Lord Auckland.

Till 1865, it was popularly called Wilson’s Hotel. The name Great Eastern was incorporated in 1865.

Famous guests who stayed at the hotel include Queen Elizabeth II, Mahatma Gandhi, Ho Chi Minh, Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling.

Mark Twain called The Great Eastern “Jewel of the East” and “Best Hotel East of the Suez”. It turned sick since the 1970s.

Finally, acquired by Lalit Suri in 2005. New hotel to be named The Lalit Great Eastern.

Approximately Rs 375 crore to go in for renovation.

Pieces of original furniture and other paraphernalia that belonged to the heritage property have been retained in the new one. All 195 room and other facilities likely to be opened by December.

Heritage façade to be operational by May.

abhishek.l@thehindu.co.in

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