Kolkata Heritage Hotel Gains Iconic Blue Plaque

Kolkata's Elgin Fairlawn Hotel has been officially recognized with a prestigious blue heritage plaque from the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). This honor, bestowed during World Heritage Week 2025, celebrates the hotel's deep historical roots and enduring architectural significance. The hotel building itself dates back to 1783, originally constructed on land purchased by William Ford.

Room number 17 holds a special place in the hotel's storied past, as it was the favored accommodation of the late actor Shashi Kapoor. He famously spent his 1958 honeymoon there with Jennifer Kendal, and the room has since been named in his honor. This recognition underscores the hotel's connection to celebrity history and cultural memory.

Beyond its connection to Shashi Kapoor, the Elgin Fairlawn has been a gracious host to a multitude of international luminaries. Its guest list includes celebrated writers like Günter Grass and Dominique Lapierre, actors such as Julie Christie and Patrick Swayze, and the acclaimed filmmaking duo Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, cementing its status as a landmark of global renown.