A Series of Staycations VI: Vivanta Kolkata

As I drive in to Vivanta, Kolkata, previously The Gateway Hotel, I am struck by some of the rather prominent changes I can see immediately. Interested, I walk into the hotel to quickly check in for the day. With 197 rooms (most of them operational), Vivanta Kolkata promises to be a comfortable space for the tired executive, or the tourist who’s new to the city.

Location Benefits of Vivanta Kolkata

• Easily accessible to and from the airport
• Diagonally Opposite Ruby General Hospital
• Close proximity to Gariahat, one of the largest shopping regions of Kolkata
• Close to Acropolis Mall, one of the hottest new malls of Kolkata

Checking into Vivanta Kolkata

Vivanta Kolkata has six different room categories Superior, Deluxe, Premium, Executive Suite, Deluxe Suite and Premium Suite. You can check out the pricing at the hotel website and pick from there. I check into a Deluxe Suite quickly. A glass of buttermilk and a wet towel is given quickly, and I gladly accept the offer of the drink from the smiling staff member.

The Deluxe Suite at Vivanta, Kolkata

A few minutes later, I take the elevator to my room. The room is divided into two parts: there is a sleeping section featuring a comfortable bed with plump pillows and soft blankets.

I make quick plans of lying in my bed till late and eating room service for breakfast tomorrow while noting the large television in the living room and the plush sofa that would make an excellent place to relax with a drink. It is also a nice working space, and I note a number of plug points that are really helpful for plugging in numerous things at the same time.

The hotel does have strong WiFi and you can avail it during check-in. Generally, a staff member will give you login details, and that’s rather useful. In the suite, the first thing that would catch your eye is a landscape of a scene from Kolkata, done by a local artist, that adds a personal touch to the rooms.

The bathroom is spacious and there’s three distinct part – the bath sector is separated from the toilet by a large dresser.

I find a comprehensive array of toiletries that takes care of the basic amenities required – with shampoo, body wash, lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste and other myriad things in it. The shower stall is spacious and the hot/cold function quite easy to manoeuvre.

I am then given a tour of the Premium Suite that’s great for the corporate crowd. Featuring a host of amenities, including a bathtub, this can be the perfect room that brings together great utilities and a relaxed space.

Lunch at Mynt

Lunch at Mynt, Vivanta Kolkata’s comprehensive all-day dining scene, promises to be a rather fun affair. The space is divided into segments and a lot of emphasis has gone into the use of natural lights to highlight ambience. They have a wood-fire pizza oven in the kitchen, and a 187-feet mural graces the space, comprising of known and unknown kitchen utensils. The menu comprises of different cuisines and from Bengali to Continental, it has a wide array of dishes aimed to titillate even the most jaded palate. I flip through the menu to see all they have on offer.

I request for a simple repast of Caesar Salad, but Chef Parthiv is adamant and insistent about the New Zealand Lamb Rack, so I give in gracefully. We begin with a basket of freshly baked bread served with a bit of Baba Ganoush and a dab of butter. It is rather nice to dip in crisp bits of lavash into the Baba Ganoush, and of course, I have to and the Caesar Salad follows, with a heap of crisp bacon on the side (an optional, but very welcome addition).

The bacon and crisp lettuce are quickly tossed together, while the crisp slice of bread is quickly broken into pieces and added on top. The freshness of the greens is elevated by the dressing that doesn’t overpower, but rather, complement. We move on to the New Zealand Lamb Rack.

The New Zealand Lamb Rack is tender, with crisp snow peas tossed quickly in fat to retain their crunchiness, and served on a bed of creamy polenta that’s cooked, shaped and then seared on the side. I grudgingly admit to the Chef being really really right, and decide to skip dessert for a quick tour upstairs to the poolside.

There’s a pool and a fitness centre on top of the hotel, but both seem quite crowded. I go back to my room for a while before going for a brisk evening walk to energise myself before returning for drinks at Wynk.

Drinks at Wink

I quite like Wink because its charming, intimate, and is great for a small group. The music is mostly trance and the DJ keeps things low-key in general. We aim at savouring some of the specialities of the house, so High on Gin (from The Junction at Taj Bengal) and Intrigued by Strawberry (The Hookah Lounge at Taj Falaknama Palace) are ordered.

To go with the drinks, the Konjee Crispy Lamb and the Roasted Chilli pork make their presence felt. The passion fruit high of the gin gives the crisp lamb balance while the roast chilli pork cuts through the sweet mellowness of Intrigued by Strawberry.

My stay at Vivanta Kolkata is a relaxed one, and I cannot wait to go back for their breakfast scene soon!

Disclaimer: Poorna Banerjee was invited to stay at Vivanta Kolkata by the management. Her opinions are honest and unbiased.