Chanakya BNR Puri: India’s Only Heritage Railway-Themed Hotel, Just 8 Hours From Kolkata

With the weather in Kolkata being absolutely romantic, new weekend getaways feel even more tempting. One late summer, after light rain showers, my family and I planned a sudden road trip to Puri. Just an 8-hour drive by car, our main goal was to stay at India's only heritage railway-themed hotel – the Chanakya BNR Hotel. Built to resemble a grand hotel for British Raj-era officers working with the Bengal-Nagpur Railway, which operated in Eastern and Central India, it's truly a delight to visit and experience.

Located just 200 metres from Puri Beach, Chanakya BNR Hotel is beautifully restored to offer a blend of colonial charm and modern comfort. Initially built in 1925, this British-era landmark is deeply tied to the history of Indian Railways, making every stay truly memorable. On 24 August 2007, the property was taken over by the Chanakya Group of Hotels. Since then, it has been carefully maintained by Mr Akhil Kochhar, Director of Chanakya Hotels, who strives to preserve its historic essence while adding contemporary amenities.

The best part about the Chanakya BNR Hotel is that the rooms are named after each Indian Railway junction. And its architecture, design and concept flow exactly like a train running on track. From Howrah to Nagpur, you'll find standard deluxe rooms, suites, heritage premium rooms, and heritage suites. And if you think that's that, read on to find out more about this one-of-a-kind heritage hotel.

The property, formerly owned by the Bengal-Nagpur Railway, has also hosted some notable visitors over the years. Indira Gandhi, music icon S.D. Burman, and Satyajit Ray!

As you traverse the threshold of Chanakya BNR Hotel Puri, it serves as a thread of narratives, guiding footsteps to the culmination of its story in present times. The hotel breaks away from excessive ornamentation and emphasises functionality, resulting in a timeless and understated sense of luxury. The hotel even arranged for us to have a seamless darshan at the Jagannath Temple.

The hotel is rooted in history yet shaped by modern comforts — a timeless blend that defines its charm. Its design feels like a constant thread of thought, weaving heritage with contemporary touches. Recognising the beauty of the location, the British built a palatial hotel for travellers, which led to the establishment of the BNR Hotel in 1922. For a brief period after World War II, it even served as a holiday retreat for officers of the rank of captain and above.

It later returned to its original name, the BNR Hotel, and was officially acknowledged as a heritage building in 1998. In the heart of Puri, amid the embrace of Odisha's coastal beauty, the Chanakya BNR Hotel is one of the best palatial escapes in the country.

Its design details are not only aesthetic but also practical, carefully planned to maximise views, ventilation, and natural light. When the hotel opened in 1925, C. Stoner served as its first manager. In 1938, it was expanded with the help of the Britannia and Burn Company of then-Calcutta, under the guidance of railway engineer E. J. Zachuk.

A sweeping curved verandah, wooden arches and a gleaming antique mahogany desk at the entrance welcome you to the Chanakya BNR Hotel Puri. The interior features patterned carpets, antique black-wood furniture and historic photographs of well-known people, including Rajaji, Pandit Nehru and Jacqueline Kennedy. Interestingly, it was the first structure in Odisha with a concrete roof. Its expansive patio, lengthy arched halls and winding wooden staircase still exude a colonial charm. BNR Hotel Puri blends contemporary design with vintage furnishings, and every area, whether it be the wide terraces, lengthy hallways, or the railway artefacts on exhibit, has a backstory. Staying here feels like stepping into a living museum of India's railway past.

The hotel has 37 spacious rooms adorned with Indian Railways artwork and a distinctly vintage feel. Each room carries a junction name — Madras, Howrah, Delhi Junction, Mumbai Victoria Terminus, Yamuna Bridge Delhi, Yamuna Bridge Allahabad, Ganga Bridge Allahabad, and Bombay Baroda & Central India. For a truly indulgent stay, book a Heritage Suite with rich teak furniture, vintage upholstery, and soft lighting. The salty sea breeze and the fragrance of blooming frangipani drift in through tall windows and high ceilings, making the atmosphere unforgettable.

Relax in the welcoming common lounge, which has warm chairs, antique lighting, and a selection of board games. It's the perfect place to enjoy some chai. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the expansive, verdant grounds from the balconies, which are aptly set up for a leisurely daydream.

While the fitness enthusiasts work out at the gym, children busy themselves having a great time in the Kid Zone down below. And in my opinion, the poolside is the true winner here. It's essentially your own little piece of heaven, surrounded by palm trees and bathed in the warm hues of sunset. When the sun rays hit the water, we actually had our jaws on the floor after witnessing such a perfect picture moment!

At The Dining Car, dining is more than just eating; it's about losing yourself in a certain nostalgia. The decor is colonial-inspired, but the food is the real star of the show. Breakfast? It's a gourmet spread, complete with cooked-to-perfection sausages, freshly squeezed juices, fluffy omelettes, and plates that somehow make mornings seem less harsh. In contrast, lunch is a leisurely custom. We spent a lot of time with the Takshila Dal, which was slow-cooked till it practically hummed with spices, and the Murgh Biryani, which was so fragrant that you could write poetry about it.

The Mercury Chicken is beyond description, as are the Grilled Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce and the full-bodied, smoky kebabs that strike a balance between subtlety and spiciness. Can you fathom that legends like Tagore, Nehru and even Jacqueline Kennedy once dined on these dishes?

But the night we ordered the Champaran Mutton curry is probably the one that sticks in our memory the most. The aroma made our eyes roll, and the roasted garlic on the side enhanced the overall flavour of the dish.

You can take a direct bus from Kolkata to Puri, which costs INR 330. You can also book the Vande Bharat Express from Howrah Junction, which costs between 1,500 INR and 2,500 INR per ticket. Or you can simply opt for an 8-hour drive from Kolkata.

Best Time To Visit: October - March

Things To Do: Buy khaja or get it as prasad from the Jagannath temple, eat local food, take a walk by Chandrabhaga beach, and visit the Konark Sun temple

Price: INR 5,500 onwards

Website: www.chanakyabnrpuri.com

Check-In: 10 AM

Check-Out: 8 AM

Contact: 09778373373

Instagram: @chanakyabnrpuri

Facebook: Chanakya BNR Puri

Google Rating: 4.2/5