Raajkutir, Kolkata - IHCL SeleQtions (Kolkata)

Raajkutir, Kolkata is an IHCL SeleQtions heritage hotel set in the Phoolbagan neighbourhood of Kankurgachi, Kolkata, West Bengal. Designed to evoke the grandeur of a Bengali Raajbari, the property brings together 48 heritage-styled rooms, three dining outlets, a spa, an outdoor pool, and a structured Pawcations programme that formally welcomes cats, dogs, and licensed birds as guests. For pet parents travelling to Kolkata who want a property that goes beyond a blanket tag of pet-friendly, Raajkutir has a detailed written policy, a dedicated pet-stay offer, and a vet-curated in-room menu for pets , all confirmed on the hotel's own website.

The Property and Setting

Raajkutir sits at 89C, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Sarani, Phool Bagan, Kankurgachi in Kolkata, a few kilometres from the Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial. The hotel's stated identity is rooted in the Bengal Renaissance , the building design, courtyard with a Banyan tree, life-sized visual artefacts in rooms and public spaces, and performing arts displays are all intended to give guests a sense of eighteenth and nineteenth century aristocratic Bengali life.

The property has 48 air-conditioned rooms and suites styled around the era. Three dining outlets operate on site: Loafer's Cafe (described as a European-style cafe), The East India Room (the all-day diner), and The Swig, which the hotel describes as an award-winning speciality restaurant. Dining facilities are available and multiple meal plan options , Continental, Modified American, and American , are offered. A state-of-the-art Fitness Centre and Spa and an outdoor pool are on site, along with airport shuttle, car rental, daily housekeeping, inclusive car parking for guests, inclusive Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour travel desk and Doctor-On-Call.

Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is until noon. Inclusive car parking is confirmed for all guests, which is relevant for pet parents driving in , you will not need to hunt for street parking while managing a dog and luggage.

The Pawcations Programme

IHCL SeleQtions runs a formal pet-stay programme across its properties under the name Pawcations, and Raajkutir is a participating hotel. The offer is described as valid round the year, and the inclusions confirmed on the property's own Pawcations page are:

• Pet-friendly in-room amenities provided as part of the Pawcations offer
• Daily breakfast and high tea included for the human guests
• A vet-curated in-room menu for pets, prepared in partnership with Harley's Corner
• Pet minder services, available with prior reservation

The vet-curated menu is a specific, practical detail worth noting. Rather than guests having to source food locally or carry all supplies, the hotel offers a pet-specific food option prepared under veterinary guidance. This does not replace your dog's regular diet if they are on a prescription or sensitive-stomach plan, but it is a meaningful gesture for a short city stay. The pet minder service requires advance booking , this is not a walk-in service, so if you plan to step out without your dog, flag this at the time of reservation.

The Pawcations page also references playtime and enriching activities tailored to the pet's personality, and describes the hotel's approach as one where pets receive the same thoughtful hospitality as human guests. These are the hotel's own words rather than independently verified experiences, but they point to a property that has invested in formalising its pet offering rather than simply tolerating animals on site.

Pet Policy: What the Documents Actually Say

Raajkutir operates under the IHCL SeleQtions chain-wide Pawcations pet policy. The policy document confirms the following, which every pet parent should read carefully before booking:

Species permitted: Cats, dogs, and birds are welcome. For birds, the policy specifies that only birds duly licensed in the state are allowed, and no endangered species are permitted. This is a practical requirement that affects people travelling with parrots or other licensed birds more than it affects dog owners.

Weight limit: Pets up to 30 kg are accommodated as standard. Exceptions above 30 kg are considered on a case-by-case basis and must be confirmed directly with the hotel before booking.

Breed restrictions: Online bookings are not accepted for Pitbull, German Shepherd, Doberman, Rottweiler, and Boxer. Owners of these breeds who want to stay must contact the hotel directly before booking so the hotel can assess temperament. The hotel's decision is final. This is a chain-level policy across SeleQtions properties, not a Raajkutir-specific rule.

Maximum pets per room: Two pets per room.

Pet charges: A supplementary charge of Rs 2,000 per pet per night applies. A refundable security deposit of Rs 3,500 per pet per stay is also mandatory at the time of check-in. The deposit is applied per pet and does not cover damage , if damage or excessive cleaning is required, the deposit may become non-refundable and additional charges may apply. The deposit and the nightly supplement are separate; both are charged.

Designated pet areas: Pets are permitted only in designated pet-friendly areas of the hotel. The policy states that guests should ask at booking which specific areas apply. Pets must be walked only in the designated pet areas of the hotel grounds.

Restaurant access: Pets are allowed in specific restaurants and food service areas only , not across all dining outlets. Which restaurant at Raajkutir permits pet access is not specified in the policy document; confirm this directly with the hotel.

Documentation required: Guests must confirm the number and breed of their pets at the time of reservation. Rabies vaccination certificate and 9-in-1 vaccination details are required after booking. In Maharashtra, pet licences are also required , this does not apply to Kolkata, but vaccination documentation is mandatory across all SeleQtions properties. Failing to confirm pet details at booking may result in long waiting periods at check-in.

Leash and behaviour rules: Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier at all times in public areas. Dogs that bark excessively or show reactive behaviour must be muzzled. Pets prone to soiling should wear pet diapers in public areas of the hotel. Owners are solely responsible for the behaviour and well-being of their pets throughout the stay.

Pets in the Room

The Pawcations offer explicitly lists pet-friendly in-room amenities as an inclusion, and the policy document sets a maximum of two pets per room. These two details together confirm that pets are intended to stay in the guest's room, not in a kennel or separate facility. The policy's reference to in-room pet amenities and a vet-curated in-room menu further supports this. If you have specific requirements , a crate-trained dog who needs space for a travel crate, or a dog who cannot be left alone in a room , discuss this with the hotel at the time of booking.

Dining at Raajkutir with a Dog

Three outlets are on site: Loafer's Cafe, The East India Room, and The Swig. The policy confirms that pets are allowed in specific restaurants and food service areas only. Which of the three outlets at Raajkutir are designated pet-friendly is not stated in the published materials. Loafer's Cafe, described as a European-style cafe, is the most likely candidate for an outdoor or casual seating area where a dog might be accommodated, but this is not confirmed. Ask the hotel directly at the time of booking , both for your peace of mind and so the team can allocate an appropriate table.

The vet-curated in-room pet menu prepared by Harley's Corner means your dog can eat in the room while you dine, or you can order for your dog alongside your own meal if allowed in the designated dining area. This is a practical option for pet parents who prefer not to leave their dog alone in a room during meals.

Walking and Outdoor Space

The policy confirms that pets must be walked only in the designated pet areas of the hotel grounds. The hotel references a courtyard with a Banyan tree as part of its architectural identity , whether this forms part of the designated pet walking area is not specified. The property is set in an urban Kolkata neighbourhood; this is not a farmhouse or resort with open fields. Walking space will be limited to the hotel grounds, and the grounds are those of a 48-room heritage hotel in a city locality.

Walking a dog in Kolkata's streets adjacent to the hotel is possible, but city traffic, heat, and an unfamiliar environment mean leash discipline is essential. The hotel is not far from the Rabindra Sarobar lake area, which is a known green space in the city, though access for dogs there is subject to the park's own rules and is not something the hotel facilitates or confirms. Plan your dog's exercise routine based on what the hotel's designated areas can offer, and treat any external walks as supplementary.

The Hotel as a Heritage Experience

Beyond the pet specifics, Raajkutir is a property with a distinct cultural identity that sets it apart from a standard business hotel in Kolkata. The 48 rooms are themed around the Bengal Renaissance, with building architecture, a central courtyard, a Banyan tree, and life-sized visual artefacts placed throughout the hotel and in the rooms themselves. The hotel positions this as an immersive experience of eighteenth and nineteenth century aristocratic Bengali life.

The dining experience mirrors this , The East India Room and The Swig reflect the era's culinary sensibilities, and the hotel's cultural programming includes storytelling-led engagements and performing arts on display across the property. For a pet parent who wants more than just a utilitarian stopover in Kolkata, Raajkutir offers a stay with genuine cultural texture. The outdoor pool, fitness centre, and spa round out the amenities for the human half of the travelling party.

What to Organise Before You Arrive

Given the structured nature of the Pawcations policy, the checklist below covers the steps the hotel explicitly requires:

• Confirm pet breed and number at the time of booking , do not leave this to check-in
• Email or WhatsApp your Rabies vaccination certificate and 9-in-1 vaccination record after making the reservation
• If your dog weighs over 30 kg, call the hotel before booking to seek an exception
• If you have a German Shepherd, Doberman, Rottweiler, Pitbull, or Boxer, do not book online , contact the hotel directly
• Reserve the pet minder service in advance if you plan to leave your dog in the hotel's care at any point during the stay
• Ask which dining outlets permit pet access so you can plan meals accordingly
• Budget for Rs 2,000 per pet per night plus a Rs 3,500 per pet refundable deposit at check-in

Getting There

The hotel address is 89C, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Sarani, Phool Bagan, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054. Inclusive car parking is available for guests. The nearest major transport hub is Howrah Station or Kolkata Airport (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport). The hotel offers an airport shuttle and car rental services. For road trips from nearby cities, inclusive parking removes one logistical hurdle. Contact the hotel at book.raajkutir@seleqtionshotels.com or +91 33 3501 4460 to confirm airport transfer arrangements for guests travelling with pets.