Hotel YMCA Esplanade

The building is a 19th-century one with huge, majestic rooms, so staying there is a great way to experience some history. It’s a budget hotel right in the heart of the city, within walking distance of New Market and Park Street. The metro stations at Park Street and Esplanade are about equally close. The path in front of the building is lined with roadside stalls, so getting in and out can feel a bit awkward at first if you’re visiting from out of town. We visited in November 2024.

It was noisy unless you got a room at the back. The cafe served overpriced rubbish, and the staff were rude. The hot water never worked the whole time I was there. Recently, after I’d returned to New Zealand, a staff member contacted me just to say, “How are you?” When I asked who was speaking, they sent a torrent of abuse. I reported it to the seacom management. It seems one of the staff may be rather mentally ill. Beware.

The location is hard to beat, right in the New Market area for shopping and next to the Indian Museum. Major landmarks, top malls, Burra Bazar, Howrah Station and the airport were all easy to reach from the hotel. The staff were polite, professional and very helpful. Special thanks to Mr. Debashish for his excellent service and for making our stay comfortable. We had a wonderful stay, with a spacious and impeccably clean room.

Park Street, the metro, food places, taxis, and the Museum are all close by, which made the location a real plus. I stayed at YMCA for 3 nights and had a good experience. The room was big and clean, and the AC cooled it well enough despite being set to a fixed temperature. They provided a kit with soap, shampoo, a toothbrush, and other items. The bathroom was clean with hot and cold water. Towels were clean too, though the bedsheet had a small tear. The front desk seemed good. Keep your expectations reasonable, but for what I paid, I don't really have complaints.