Prantarik Cottage Bed and Breakfast (Single room)

Welcome to Tagore's 'Shantiniketan'- The abode of peace. Amidst the serene surroundings, our Prantarik Cottage is a quaint little picture pretty cottage, located at a distance of about five minutes’ walk from Prantik railway station. The cottage was built in the mid-nineties by our beloved father, (Late) Ranendra Lahiri. Being a Chartered Engineer by profession he designed it to serve as a place of periodic retreat in order to pursue his literary and musical pursuits too, in the quietude. From the gate at the entrance, a small gravel path leads the way to the cottage. Our cottage has two small and cosy rooms “Chayanika” and “Sanchayita”, named as a tribute to the great poet. Each room has a king-sized bed in addition to other furnishings. Both the rooms have a LED HD TV each, with TATA Sky connection and attached bathrooms equipped with the requisite bath fitments. There is an Altar attached to one of the rooms. Our entire cottage including the premises and the Outhouse of the Housekeeper have a 24-hour power back up from an inverter. The cottage is also equipped with a fully functioning kitchen, including a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a toaster, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. There is a separate dining room which the guests can also use. All articles have been consciously chosen to provide a feel of a distinct but harmonious kind, with a view to making the stay of all our discerning guests a unique and a memorable one. Two well-manicured lush green lawns surrounded by an eclectic mix of fruit - bearing trees and a vast array of seasonal flowers all around the cottage beckon the guests who may wake up to the sweet chirping of numerous birds in the morning or watch them fly back to the comfort of their nests at dusk. Occasionally at night, you can hear the whistle-blow of a train rumbling past the nearby Prantik railway station, which is music in itself. In the winter months you will enjoy the sight of the garden which is a riot of colours when the flowers are in full bloom while during the monsoons, you may simply laze inside the cosy confines of the cottage, gazing at the steady downpour outside. Either way, the premises offer an idyllic and romantic setting far from the madness and grime of the big cities for you to immerse yourself unhurried into pristine nature and re-discover yourself alone or, spend some quality time in the company of your family and friends. Otherwise, there is a reasonably good collection of books to keep you engrossed. Slightly to the rear, there is a small kitchen garden. The Housekeeper lives with his small family in a separate room within the premises, next to the kitchen garden. They are trustworthy and totally accustomed to looking after our own personal guests. A sincere and committed person, he and his wife will leave no effort spared to make your stay comfortable and a memorable one. Besides, they also excel at cooking a variety of simple yet delectable traditional Bengali dishes (veg & non – veg preparations including fish items). Our Housekeeper also drives his own Toto (e-rickshaw), his services will therefore be limited to his free time. His wife will be there, whenever you need their assistance. Two AC rooms with king-sized beds are available for reservation separately and the entire cottage is also available altogether. Ideal for solo travellers or small families alike, who have a taste for aesthetic living and capable of appreciating the same. There is an open parking space for one car inside the premises and also street parking. Guests are free to use all spaces including the kitchen and the dining space. Highlights: Rooms: Two AC rooms with LED HD TV and TATA Sky connections with King - size beds in both rooms. Elegant Décor with wall - to - wall Matting and Carpets on the floors. Wardrobes/ Closets in the rooms with clothes Hangers. Extra pillows, bed-sheets and blankets on request. Hair dryers in each room. Altar for worship in one room. Adequate furniture - comfortable seating with sofas and chairs and Centre/ Study Tables. Table/desk with space for a laptop and a chair that’s comfortable to work in. Clean and hygienically maintained attached bathrooms with running hot water facility, towels, complimentary soaps, shampoo and toilet papers. Small porch/ covered balcony overlooking the front lawn. 24 - hour Power back up for the entire premises. Kitchen: Fully functional Kitchen with adequate cooking utensils, Gas oven, Toaster, Refrigerator and Microwave Oven, Aquaguard - filtered drinking water and Crockery/Cutlery. Dining Hall: Separate, well - decorated Dining Hall with two Dining Tables and adequate chairs to cater to guests. Complimentary Bed Tea and Breakfast Outdoors: Lush-green lawns and garden. Outdoor seating arrangements including Garden Umbrella. Security: Free and secure parking on premises Free street parking in addition. Single level home Housekeeper in the premises Other Amenities: Iron Clothesline for drying Books First Aid kit We, the owners, stay away from Shantiniketan. We visit the premises periodically to ensure that everything is functional. However, in our absence the entire property is looked after and hospitality managed by our Housekeeper Ranjit, who will be on call to welcome you once you reach Shantiniketan. He will be happy to guide and assist you. With serene and tranquil surroundings ... one can enjoy the fresh air, chirping of birds, the smell of the fragrant flowers like Jasmine(Chameli/Juhi), Magnolia(Champa), Gardenia(Gandhoraaj), Arabian Jasmine(Mogra), Frangipani(Guloncho) during the summer and monsoon months, Seasonal flowers(Pansy, Poppy, Chrysanthemum, Salvia, Petunia, Hollyhock, Snapdragon, Cosmos, Verbena, Impatiens, Dahlia, Marigold) and Roses during winter and spring. Garden fresh fruits like Mango, Rose Apple, Indian Gooseberry(Amla), Papaya and Jackfruit can be enjoyed during the summer months. Organically grown vegetables are also enjoyed. The cottage is located in a quiet residential area that combines the charm of a rustic getaway with easy access to all amenities. Prantik Railway station is just adjacent to our property so you can see and also hear the trains whistling past. Our cottage is just 2 mins from Prantik railway station and 30 mins from Bolpur railway station. It is at a walking distance from Biswa Bangla Haat. The other places of interests like Tagore’s Ashram and the Viswa Bharati University, The Khowai Haat/ Saturday Market (Weekend Rural Art and Craft Fair), and Amar Kutir (Art and Craft shop), Kopai River, The Santaal Villages, Deer Park at Ballavpur Bird Sanctuary, are just 10- 12 mins drive from our cottage. The Shyor Bithi Park—with its beautiful trees, walking paths, boating, plant nursery—is less than a kilometre away. Restaurants are also available, most of which offer Bengali and Chinese cuisine. 1. We offer complimentary Bed Tea and Standard Breakfast for two guests per room only. Additional charges shall apply for extra guests/extra plates, excluding children below five years of age. Guests can also get their lunch and/ or dinner cooked in the kitchen by the Housekeeper at an extra charge of Rs 100/- per room per day for use of the amenities like the cooking utensils, refrigerator, microwave oven and gas oven, payable in cash to the Housekeeper. COMPLIMENTARY STANDARD BREAKFAST MENU Bread - 4 pieces Eggs: Boiled/Poached/Omelette/Scrambled – 2 pieces Or Boiled Potatoes sprinkled with Black Pepper & Fried Onions (Only for Vegetarians) Butter Jam Bananas – 2 pieces Tea/Coffee 2. Extra charges of Rs 150/- per room per day for the Housekeeper also payable in cash directly to him, if he cooks one meal (lunch/dinner) and Rs 250/- per room per day for both the meals (lunch & dinner) including running errands to get fresh items and other groceries. The cost of the fresh vegetables, fruits and other items of grocery will have to be borne by the guests. Otherwise, if they are not required to cook, Rs 50/- for each errand is required to be paid. House Rules 1. We do not allow unmarried and/ or unrelated couples as guests. 2. This is a small residential cottage converted into a Homestay. This is NOT a Hotel. If you chose to stay in it after acquainting yourself with all its features and amenities provided, please bear with it. 3. Check-in time is 12 PM (Noon) to 9 PM. Check out time is 11AM. Self-check-in with the Housekeeper. 4. Please do not organize any parties or events within the premises as it is a quiet residential area. 5. Quiet Time After 10 P.M. 6. Pets are not allowed. We also do not allow drivers or maids to stay along with our guests. 7. Cribs for infants (under 2 years) are not available, so please take care of them accordingly. 8. The Housekeeper primarily earns his living by driving his Toto (e-rickshaw). After serving breakfast to the guests in the morning and looking after the general upkeep of the cottage, he may be spared. 9. Please refrain from plucking flowers from the garden. 10. Kindly do not use the bedroom slippers outdoors. 11. Please do not consume alcohol inside the rooms. Kindly enjoy your drinks on the lawns or in the Dining Hall. 12. We request you to maintain the sanctity of the Altar (Puja Room) inside "Chayanika". Consider our Prantarik Cottage as your house for the duration of your stay, however brief it may be. So, please take care of it as you would take care of your own house. We would also expect our guests to follow COVID-19 rules/regulations laid down by the government (wearing of masks and maintaining Social-Distancing at all times), for the safety of their own and our Housekeepers. We shall be happy to host you. Have a pleasant stay. Hope to see you again.