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The Rajbari Bawali, Kolkata

The Rajbari Bawali

Kolkata and Eastern India, India

The Rajbari Bawali, situated in a small village, one hour south of Kolkata is a historical neo-classical palace. Replete with decorative Italian architectural motifs, breezy balconies and graceful colonnades, it was formerly the resplendent headquarters of a kingdom ruled by the Mondal family.

Recently restored by the new owner, the hotel offers 30 bedrooms and suites, boasting an eclectic mix of traditional antique with all things modern. Outside are turrets and columns, ornate courtyards, and balconies overlooking the lake, fields and fascinating temples unique to this region. The spa provides a sanctuary for pampering and a welcome bolthole between city sightseeing. A great addition to the Bengal hotel scene, providing a lovely base to relax at just outside Calcutta.

Why we like The Rajbari Bawali

The palace lends itself perfectly to grand celebrations and can be taken over in its entirety for parties.

The Rajbari Bawali, Kolkata, India

The Rajbari Bawali, Kolkata, India

The Rajbari Bawali, Kolkata, India

The Rajbari Bawali, Kolkata, India

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Wildlife Safari in Kanha, Pench and Satpura

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Axis Deer, India

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Golden Eagle Madras Mail – South India by Luxury Train

Journey through Southern India, covering everything from India’s most important cities of Mumbai and Hyderabad to spectacular World Heritage Sites and the coastlines of Goa and Kerala.

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Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India

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On the Trail of Snow Leopards

Our snow leopard group tour works with the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust India in Ladakh and is accompanied by its team of expert trackers. Spend four full days exploring the Ulley Valley searching for ‘The Ghost of the Himalaya’.

Departing 19th February 2023

13 days from £5,995pp

Rare and elusive snow leopard on mountain top lookout, Ladakh, India

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Tiger Safari in Central India

This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.

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Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

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Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

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14 days from £5,945pp

Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

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An Introduction to Bhutan

This 13-day classic journey is the perfect holiday for anybody visiting Bhutan for the first time, taking in the main sites of Western and Central Bhutan whilst staying in a mix of traditional Bhutanese guest houses.

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Sun Temple, Bhutan

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Highlights of Kerala – Cochin, Munnar and Backwaters

For a slower but no less rewarding Indian holiday, head south to the laid-back state of Kerala, home to hillside tea estates, exceptional beaches, wildlife parks and vibrant ports and cities.

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Tea Estates, Munnar, Kerala, India

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Central India’s Cultural Highlights

This holiday idea to Central India has been designed to combine some of the most evocative and memorable experiences from the religious ceremonies in Varanasi to the perfectly preserved temples of Khajuraho.

12 days from £3,855pp

Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, India

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South India’s Temples

This holiday idea offers you the most comprehensive, contrasting and experience-led journey through Southern India’s temple state of Tamil Nadu.

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Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, India

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A Family Friendly Holiday to South India

This family-friendly journey to South India is brimming with activities to satisfy even the most adventurous of children. A beautiful combination of private river cruising, wildlife safaris and child-friendly, insightful experiences amongst working plantations guarantees a holiday packed with variety. We have…

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Sunset on Backwaters, Kerala, India

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Need Inspiration?
Browse our India holiday ideas.

We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the India holidays that we love today.

Idea

Wildlife Safari in Kanha, Pench and Satpura

With small private eco-lodges providing a comfortable base, discover the rich biodiversity of India’s most prolific national parks. Pench is famous for its leopard sightings, while the dense forests and the large prey base at Kanha, provide the perfect territory for…

15 days from £6,500pp

Axis Deer, India

View Holiday Idea

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Golden Eagle Madras Mail – South India by Luxury Train

Journey through Southern India, covering everything from India’s most important cities of Mumbai and Hyderabad to spectacular World Heritage Sites and the coastlines of Goa and Kerala.

15 days from £14,205pp

Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India

View Holiday Idea

Group tour

On the Trail of Snow Leopards

Our snow leopard group tour works with the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust India in Ladakh and is accompanied by its team of expert trackers. Spend four full days exploring the Ulley Valley searching for ‘The Ghost of the Himalaya’.

Departing 19th February 2023

13 days from £5,995pp

Rare and elusive snow leopard on mountain top lookout, Ladakh, India

View Group Tour

Idea

Tiger Safari in Central India

This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.

10 days from £5,995pp

Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

Picture India in your mind’s eye and there’s a strong chance you will think of Rajasthan. There are few places in the world that pack such a powerful, cultural punch with festivals, architecture, people and food all combining to produce…

14 days from £5,945pp

Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

An Introduction to Bhutan

This 13-day classic journey is the perfect holiday for anybody visiting Bhutan for the first time, taking in the main sites of Western and Central Bhutan whilst staying in a mix of traditional Bhutanese guest houses.

13 days from £7,895pp

Sun Temple, Bhutan

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Highlights of Kerala – Cochin, Munnar and Backwaters

For a slower but no less rewarding Indian holiday, head south to the laid-back state of Kerala, home to hillside tea estates, exceptional beaches, wildlife parks and vibrant ports and cities.

12 days from £5,495pp

Tea Estates, Munnar, Kerala, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Central India’s Cultural Highlights

This holiday idea to Central India has been designed to combine some of the most evocative and memorable experiences from the religious ceremonies in Varanasi to the perfectly preserved temples of Khajuraho.

12 days from £3,855pp

Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

South India’s Temples

This holiday idea offers you the most comprehensive, contrasting and experience-led journey through Southern India’s temple state of Tamil Nadu.

9 days from £3,995pp

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

A Family Friendly Holiday to South India

This family-friendly journey to South India is brimming with activities to satisfy even the most adventurous of children. A beautiful combination of private river cruising, wildlife safaris and child-friendly, insightful experiences amongst working plantations guarantees a holiday packed with variety.…

14 days from £3,855pp

Sunset on Backwaters, Kerala, India

View Holiday Idea

View all holiday ideas View all group tours

Where to stay in India

Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any journey.

More luxury accommodation

Glenburn Penthouse

Boutique
£££££

A long-awaited project from the owners of Glenburn Tea Estate, this elegant nine-bedroomed boutique hotel, colonial in style, is a perfect bolthole for anybody preferring home from home when staying in Calcutta. Occupying the top two…

Glenburn Penthouse, Kolkata, India

Glenburn Tea Estate

£££££

Surrounded by the Himalayas, The Glenburn Tea Estate is a heavenly, secluded hotel, situated one hour’s drive from the town of Darjeeling. This boutique hotel is very much part of a working tea estate that stretches…

Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling, India

The Ultimate Travelling Camp – Kohima Camp

Tented Camps
£££££

The Ultimate Travelling Camp showcases Kohima Camp, operational for 14 days during the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. The Hornbill Festival is an annual melange of cultural displays from all 16 tribes of Nagaland, showcasing their rich…

The Ultimate Travelling Camp Kohima Camp, Kohima

Oberoi Grand

City
£££££

The Oberoi Grand fondly referred to as the ‘Grande Dame of Chowringhee’ offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy. Standing stately for over 125 years, The Oberoi Grand combines classic Victorian architecture and…

Premier Room, Oberoi Grand, Calcutta, Kolkata, India

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