Sep 12, 2011 05:26 PM
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(Updated Sep 12, 2011 05:31 PM)
The Hugli river, a tributary of the Ganges,flows through Kolkata. This riverside in the city offers scenic beauty and various places of fun ‘n frolic. Among these, Floatel is the most prominent venue. Floatel is a floating hotel 'n restaurant on the Ganges in Kolkata.
Why is it unique?
Floatel is one of its kind hotel and restaurant on the heart of Kolkata. It floats on the adjacent Ganges, offers sumptuous food, and facilitates a luxurious stay. The hotel is shaped in the fashion of a ship. The staff are dressed as Navy crew.
Location
Floatel is easily accessible, located on the heart of Kolkata, in Babughat locality. All forms of public transport are available to and from this venue on Strand Road. Nearby landmarks are the neighboring Millennium Park and the palatial head office of State Bank of India on the opposite.
Inside Floatel
It’s good to understand the structure of Floatel before you pay a visit. Floatel has two parts – one part on the banks, and the other floating on water. Once you enter you will come across the Reception, and a small Lobby. Inside there is the Dolphin Art Gallery – wonderful paintings on aquatic life in a corridor. This corridor leads to the Hanging Balcony. The balcony opens to the vast stretch of the Ganges. You can enjoy the amazing view. During high tides, the waves softly caress the balcony, filling the onlookers with thrill and joy.
To reach the floating part of the hotel, you have to cross through a small connecting pool. While crossing, you can see the Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu standing in style right in front of your eyes. It’s really striking to see these two huge structures, standing with elan on the vast river. The floating part has three floors, of which the topmost floor hosts a Restaurant and a Banquet Hall. You can avail an elevator to reach this floor.
If you are in the mood to explore, you can check out the huge Mariner's Compass just outside the two restaurants. You can understand the directions by studying it. Both the restaurant and the banquet hall have a small adjacent roof and access to the rooftop in the floor above. Your Floatel experience will be incomplete if you don’t visit this rooftop. You will be awestruck to see the vast expanse of Ganges from this rooftop. You can rejuvenate in the refreshing breeze coming from the riverbed. The glittering sunrays on the rippling waves are bound to tinge your heart with happiness. You can see how Floatel is chained and anchored to the riverbed. At a distance, you can find the Howrah Railway Station, little boats and streamers on the waters, and the age-old buoys. There are Launches shuttling from Howrah to Babughat, ferrying local passengers. Once out of Floatel, you can go for a Launch ride. Highly recommended if you are a romantic!
Accommodation
Floatel allows for accommodation to its guest with double rooms available at affordable rates. All the rooms come with complimentary breakfast facility. Staying here can be fun, with the window panes resembling the circular windows of a ship. The view outside is the rippling river waves, giving you the feel of a sea-journey.
Food & Drinks
I have been to “The Bridge” the magnificent restaurant in Floatel. The banquet hall is meant for private parties and celebrations, and is booked on most of the days. The Bridge offers a delightful buffet, which is quite a lavish spread. Buffet prices vary from Rs. 649/- (plus taxes) on normal days to Rs. 699/- (plus taxes) on holidays and special occasions. The menu comprise of Soup, Plain Rice, Lachha Paratha, Dum Aloo, Kashmiri Bhindi (which was yum), Cauliflower curry, and 5-6 varieties of Vegetable Salads. On the non-veg part there was Fish fry, Spicy Chicken Curry and a very tasty Mutton Curry. You can wash it down with drinks of your choice. A soft drink is inclusive of the buffet. Hard Drinks and Bacardi Breezer are available too. To top it all, there are three to four varieties of sweet dishes on the offer – Cream Cake, Mihidana, Sitafal Payesh and Langcha. You cannot afford to miss any of them. The preparations, aroma, taste are just yum. Fill yourself up and lick your fingers happily!
Conclusion
On the whole I would say that Floatel is a lifetime experience that you will cherish for a long long time to come. The food prices are on higher side. Sure, they are cashing on the unique location. You cannot visit this place frequently. But once in a lifetime, it’s okay to pamper yourself. Believe me, it’s worth it!
