The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata was built in 1840 as the “Auckland Hotel” and is the longest continuously operating luxury hotel in Asia with 165 years of operation until its renovation in 2006. The architecture at this hotel is a combination of Victorian, Edwardian, and contemporary styles. One of the best 5-star luxury hotels in Kolkata, it is centrally located in close proximity to key commercial and business locations.
The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata today ,with the vivacious resident General Manager, Mr. Kamal Raza, operates 215 rooms and suites and offers over 8,000 square feet of conference and banqueting space. The spa at this hotel is spread over 13,000 square feet and includes a salon.
Overall this landmark hotel has received a tremendous facelift under the present G. M. Mr. Raza, like never before, so much so that, it has become the 1st choice of The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi’s entourage, whenever he is in Kolkata.
Recently Mr. Kamal Raza organised a surprise birthday party for actor/activist/teacher of method acting Mr. Bobby Chakraborty’s mother, Mrs. Sudipta Chakraborty on March 5th, leaving no stones unturned to make her birthday a memorable one.
We spoke with Bobby about the celebration and here’s what he had to say:-
“I share a long and strong relationship with Kamal Bhai. I feel he is an ardent well wisher of mine and I consider him very close to my heart. He is a perfect gentleman with a heart of gold. When I was discussing my mother’s recent cerebral attack with him, last year(2023) ,at a party in his hotel, he asked me to bring over Ma to his hotel on her birthday, which is 5th March.
We kept it a surprise from Ma. Kamal bhai and his team, had arranged everything with a lot of care and affection, just like he would do, for his own mother. Right from the moment we entered the hotel, till the time we left it, Kamal bhai, was personally there to look after Ma, arrange a yummy cake for her to cut, arrange for all of Ma’s favourite food, make her comfortable and take her around on a sightseeing tour of his visually stunning hotel.
Ma was overwhelmed by his warmth and blessed him and his family with all the happiness and prosperity.
Some time back in the recent past, I have seen Ma, fight with fatal circumstances. She had lost her memory. To see her happy and satisfied, especially on her birthday, gives me a sense of happiness that nothing else in this universe can.
I sincerely thank The LaLit Great Eastern Hotel Kolkata and Mr. Kamal Raza, my dear Kamal bhai for bringing in so much of happiness in Ma and a smile on her face. “