Tucked away in Ballygunge, one of Kolkata’s most charming neighbourhoods, Hyatt Centric Ballygunge is not just a hotel. It is a curated blend of old-world charm and contemporary sleekness. Hyatt Centric is where Kolkata comes alive in its most glamorous, indulgent form – a shimmering interlude in the heart of my city; a pause from the chaos. I’ve lived and breathed Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) my entire life, but stepping into Hyatt Centric felt like I was being introduced to a new version of it. The hotel itself has an energy—bright, pulsing, yet polished. The staff welcomed me with a warmth that didn’t feel rehearsed; it felt like stepping into my second home.
The interiors are muted with marbled textures, pops of colour, local touches everywhere and quiet corners filled with modern art—it was the kind of space where you could wear your most sparkling dress or slip into linen and still feel at ease. Every floor is layered with local art and murals, almost embedded into the very fabric of the city. The little touches, the flair of this robust city and the endearment, all wrapped into one. But the highlight was my cosy suite. The bed, indulgently soft, the kind that doesn’t just cradle—it holds you. Each shower felt like a small ceremony, washing away the city’s chaos, leaving me rejuvenated. It was in this quiet space that I realised Hyatt Centric isn’t just about luxury—it’s about balance. The dazzle outside, the calm within.
What I loved most about my time at Hyatt Centric was the rhythm it created for me. Morning coffee by the window as Ballygunge slowly woke up. Afternoons spent wandering through the property, as words seemed to flow more easily in this space. The food was a sensory love letter—local Bengali flavours elevated with global accents. With two restaurants and a rooftop bar, dining is where Hyatt Centric truly shines. Tess is the sun-lit, brunch-with-besties kind of spot, a breezy space with fresh iced teas and a wide, playful menu. We loved the Katsu Chicken Open Bao and the Prawn Crispy Steam Cheung Fung.
Yayavar, on the other hand, is rooted in regional flavours—perfect for long lunches or family dinners. Breakfast here is a delight in itself: think crisp luchi with torkari, warm pancakes, fresh juice, fluffy eggs, and a comforting bread basket. Lunch brings the city alive on a plate—Calcutta fish fry (a non-negotiable), kachori and kadhi, pata pora chicken (a must-try), and even shyaphaley. Each dish feels familiar yet elevated.
As dusk falls, the energy shifts to Cal On, the rooftop bar that is easily one of the best in the city. Think lush greenery, Bangkok-inspired chic, wood-fired pizzas, savoury nibbles, inventive cocktails, and a skyline view that makes time stand still. There’s something about Kolkata nights, their humidity softened by laughter and good cocktails, that makes a woman want to sparkle. I leaned into it. A sweep of makeup, a dusting of highlighter catching the warm lights, and suddenly I was shimmering against the bar’s chic ambience.
After the chatter of the evening had faded, I retired to my room, fully sated, which became a cocoon of calm. Spacious, modern, yet intimate, it was where I could peel off the evening and sink into stillness. The next morning, I found myself neck deep in the infinity pool as I stared across the quaint lanes of Ballygunge. A quiet morning, before the city was up.
Luxury often risks being impersonal, all gloss and no soul. But here, it felt personal, and it gave me something more than comfort: intimacy. Intimacy with the city I love, intimacy with myself, intimacy with the small rituals that turn a hotel stay into something transformative. When I finally checked out, I didn’t feel like I was leaving a hotel. I felt like I was closing a chapter—one where I shimmered, where I laughed, where I lived slower, deeper, brighter. Hyatt Centric wasn’t just a stay—it was a reminder that luxury is not just about where you are, but how you feel within it.
Images: Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata
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