It
was time of Imperial glory. The Bristish wore their crown with pride. Calcutta
was the capital of India. Trams were in vogue. Electric lamps were transforming
the nightscape. Automobiles had begun to chug along the roads. The year was
1911. And The Kenilworth was an old bungalow with a colonial aura and managed
by the stuarts. Most of its boarders roomed on short term contracts. In 1947
The Kenilworth changed hands. When another Amernian couple, the Madths,
took over boarding house. Its 40 rooms were imbued with an old world
charm.
The transformation of The Kenilworth began in 1968 when Mr. M. S.
Bharat, a migrant from Sind, took over the lodge on the 1st of January
and began a process that was to to result in the emergence of The Kenilworth
as one of the most popular group of hotels in India.
Mr. M. S. Bharat has lived a life of adventure and enterprise. Diring
the Second World War he had served in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National
Army, being trained in intelligence in Penang.
Within a year, the wind of progress entered the hallowed portals of The Kenilworth.
Telephones and air-conditioners were installed in every room. Mikado, the bar,
was opened and became the talk of the town. Soon, it was followed by a specially
restaurant, Marble Room. The Kenilworth Hotel was born.
Renovation and change has been the hallmark of The Kenilworth group ever
since. In its attempt to fulfil every requirement of its guest, continuous development
has suceeded in anticipating the demands of its patrons.
Maikhana was another novel innovation of The Kenilworth. Utilising
the spacious grounds, it was the first open air restaurant that immediately
caputured the imagination of the city's gourmets.
In 1982 a major renovation was undertaken. The old building was demolished
and in its place sprang up a centrally air-conditioned 100 room hotel
with The Crystal Coffee Shop, two Banquet Halls and a spacious lobby making
it one of the finest hotels in the city. Mikado was rechristened as The Alcove
and continued its regin at the top of popularity charts.
Richly furnished, the rooms are equipped with modern conveniences such
as Cable Television, Direct Dial Telephones, Mini Bars, Tea-coffee Dispensers
and Digital Safes.
The list distinguished vistors to The New Kenilworth Hotel is long and
impressive. From Mother Teresa and Satajit Ray to Uttam Kumar and Kishore Kumar
whowere all frequent visitors. Politician like Atal Behari Vajpayee, film satrs
like Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri, sports persons such as Sunil
Gavaskar and Geet Sethi, lyricists like Javed Akhtar, and advertising luminaries
such Alyque Padamsee comprise a brief glimpse into Visitor's Book.
The ideal combination of old world hospitality and modern conveniences makes
The Kenilworth a home away from home and draw the guest time and again. The
bond between the patrons and the The Kenilworth has ensured its status
as the city's most popular luxury hotel, enjoying an average occupany
rate of ninety percent per annum, making it the pride of Calcutta.
