Taj opens second property after 33 years in Kolkata, says MD & CEO of IHCL

Earlier, the property, which has been renamed Taj City Centre, was known as the Swiss Hotel.

Chairman Ambuja Neotia Group, Harshvardhan Neotia said, "After the term of the Ambuja Neotia Group expired with Swiss Hotel, in order to strengthen the group's existing partnership with Taj, we collaborated with them."

The hotel went through major transformations with the luxury segment rooms now offering a jacuzzi, while the double luxury segment allows guests to hone their barbequing skills in the balcony area.

Pricing is expected to be around what is charged by Taj for its Presidential suite, an official source said.

Neotia said, "The entire renovation works took 15 months to complete which includes adding terracotta panels in the lobby area, and more than 200 fine art canvases that were installed by artisans of West Bengal."

"Interesting motifs such as carpets representing the google map of Kolkata to some of them also styling itself based on the Sunderban Delta have been added," he said.

In its entirety, the second Taj property in the city boasts 137 rooms and 10 suites which are now meant to cater to the luxury-seeking travellers but under the Swiss Hotel, the property was meant for business travellers.

When it comes to gastronomical delights, visitors can try out different global cuisines at the all-day-diner Shamiana, for Asian food one can enter the vibrant semi-alfresco setting at Wykiki, and for a taste of brews and bakes guests can visit The Emperor's Lounge.

The other amenities include the Jiva Spa, and six banquet halls meant for large-scale wedding celebrations and other events.

At the launch, the Managing Director and CEO of IHCL Puneet Chhatwal said, "In Bengal, we have close to ten properties and six of them are in partnership with the Ambuja Neotia Group."

When asked about the employment generated due to the recent partnership projects between both establishments, Neotia said, "At the moment, the only new hotel we added was Taal Kutir where we employ 100 people and in Chia Kutir we have 150 personnel directly working for us."