Kolkata, East India, India

The Peerless is a modern, efficient, midscale hotel in a central location, which cost-conscious travellers and business visitors often choose in preference to the pricier five stars nearby.

It offers a few luxury touches – such as welcome drinks and hot towels on arrival, complimentary fruit baskets in the rooms and chocolates at turndown time – but concentrates mainly on getting the basics right.

The rooms and bedding are clean, showers piping hotel and service courteous and prompt. Moreover, you’ve one of the city’s most popular Bengali speciality restaurants, Aaheli, on the premises. There’s also a small fitness room, but no pool.