Kolkata airport has retiring rooms. Both private rooms and dormitories are available (Ph: (91)33 2552-9547). However, demand is high and it's hard to get a vacancy. If you'd rather stay in a hotel near Kolkata airport there are a few decent enough options to suit all budgets. This guide to Kolkata airport hotels will help point you in the right direction.
1. Swissotel
Swissotel
Wow! The only luxury hotel in the vicinity of Kolkata airport, the Swissotel opened in mid 2010. It's a striking property. Part of the new City Center II urban development in New Town, the hotel is located next to a large shopping mall and cinema complex. So, staying near the airport doesn't have to be boring. Double rooms are available for under $200 per night, including tax.
2. Hotel Airways Lodge
Hotel Airways
Location, location! Located just opposite the domestic terminal of Kolkata airport, Hotel Airways is one of the better budget hotels in the area. It provides cheap but decent accommodations, particularly if you get an air conditioned room. All rooms have TV, hot water, phone, room service, and western style bathrooms. The hotel has a rooftop restaurant as well. You can see flights take off and land from there. Air conditioned doubles are 900 rupees ($20) a night, or 550 rupees without air conditioning (not recommended in summer). A bonus is free airport drop off around the clock.
3. Hotel Heritage
Hotel Heritage
Hotel Heritage has a convenient location not far from Kolkata Airport, on V.I.P. Road. There are a few notable shops in the vicinity, including a Big Bazaar outlet. The hotel offers 20 rooms starting from 1,400 rupees ($30) for a double with air conditioning, going up to 2,000 rupees for a suite. It's a neat and clean hotel that's good value for an economical stay.
4. North Star Hotel
Hostelbookers.com
The North Star hotel is another quite decent cheap hotel, located around 3 kilometers from Kolkata airport on Dum Dum Road. It has fairly spacious rooms, very helpful and friendly staff, and basic facilities. A restaurant and bar are on the premises. Expect to pay around $20 for a double room.
5. Shivangan Hotel
Hotel Shivangan
The Shivangan hotel is also located on V.I.P Road, close to the airport. It's a standard budget hotel but it has a banquet hall, so the food is good! Rooms start from 1,500 rupees ($35) for an air conditioned double. It's worth paying a bit more to get a deluxe room. Apparently some of the least expensive rooms can be a bit ordinary.
6. Hotel White Palace
Although the Hotel White Palace is listed in travel guides such as Lonely Planet, it receives many negative reviews from travelers. Claims of dirty rooms and rude staff abound. So do be aware! Rooms cost from 900 rupees to 1,700 rupees per night. Ph: (91)33 2511 7402.
7. The Jagannath Hotel
The Jagannath seems to be another cheap hotel that's best avoided. It has an attractive enough website but it really doesn't show much of the hotel or the rooms -- and there's a good reason for that. Apparently, it portrays the hotel in a far more favorable light than what it's like in reality. Double rooms cost around 1,600 rupees per night. Definitely book at your own risk!
8. Keep an Eye Out For: Radisson Airport Hotel
News is that the Radisson chain will be opening the old MBD Airport Hotel sometime in 2011. It's one to watch out for!
