There was no doorbell to ring. So we peeped into the narrow walkway and spotted a boy having tea. Acknowledging us with a smile, he came swiftly, took charge of our luggage, guided us to our room. That warm smile was the first of several we were offered during our stay in Assam. Soon, the manager, Mr Kalita, too came to us with an even broader smile.
![Baruah Bhavan, Guwahati](https://travelwithacouple.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/File0064.jpg)
We landed at Guwahati a day earlier for our trip to Kaziranga. At first, we had thought of staying at one of the regular hotels at Paltan Bazaar. Then Baruah Bhavan’s listing on Trip Advisor piqued our interest. Its Web site mentions “3-minute walk to Brahmaputra,” and that made the decision easier. And, whatever the Web site promises is true.
![Baruah Bhavan, Guwahati](https://travelwithacouple.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/File0040.jpg)
The term non-hotel Hotel was first heard from Neemrana hotels, who specialises in converting palaces, bungalows and havelis to heritage hotels. We have never been to a Neemrana property and that’s part of the bucket list. But this was our first non-hotel Hotel experience. An old house converted into a homestay, Baruah Bhavan sits charmingly on a quite street, away from the hustle and bustle of Guwahati city. Clean and well-appointed rooms, good food, and polite staff. A total of 6 rooms on the first floor while the family stays in the ground floor. That sums up Baruah Bhavan. Since we reached there late for lunch (meals have to ordered at least 2 hours in advance as fresh food is cooked on order) and didn’t want a heavy dinner (only veg meals at Rs 250 and non-veg meals at Rs 350 are offered), we could not taste the main fare offered. However, the complimentary breakfast (choice of Indian and continental) was tasty.
![Baruah Bhavan, Guwahati](https://travelwithacouple.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/File0036.jpg)
Promenade along Brahmaputra is just walking distance. Main road is 5 minutes away and you get buses to Kamakhya temple base and city. The quiet street on one side comes alive in the evening as the nearby market spills on to the street. A good photo-op was wasted as there was no power and the trade was happening in candlelight.
![Baruah Bhavan, Guwahati](https://travelwithacouple.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/File0063.jpg)
Baruah Bhavan is about 45 minutes by road from Airport. Pre-paid taxis charge about Rs. 475/-. Assam State Transport buses ply between Airport and Paltan Bazaar, the main market area. Baruah Bhavan is about 4 kms from Paltan Bazaar.
Good Day Unni and Bindu !
We are indeed very glad that you enjoyed your stay at ‘BARUAH BHAVAN’. However, we would like to inform you that our existing rates for Non-veg meals at Rs. 300/- per head and Veg meals at Rs. 250/- per head, are still pretty reasonable when you consider the prevalent prices at Guwahati of the following items :-
(1) Chicken = Rs. 180/- per kg
(2) Mutton = Rs. 350/- per kg
(3) Fish = Rs. 200 /- per kg (applicable only for Rahu – the other varieties vary between Rs. 300/- to Rs. 500/- per kg)
(4) Onion = Rs. 85/- per kg
(5) Potato = Rs. 30/- per kg
(6) Masur Dal = Rs. 80/- per kg
(7) Moog Dal = Rs. 95 /- per kg
(8) Rice (Jaha) = Rs. 60/- per kg
Incidentally, Guwahati is the most expensive city in India, as far as the prices of vegetables and essential commodities are concerned because items like onions, potatoes, moog dal, masur dal, rice (jaha) etc. are not produced in Assam and have to be therefore imported from other parts of India.
Kind regards.
Dinesh Sarkar
‘BARUAH BHAVAN’
Nice to learn about a Baruah Bhavan, a non-hotel Hotel at Guwahati. My daughter is planning to visit that place next month. Baruahs are the local Brahmins.
From the photos it looks nice… good for honeymooners, no? Were there other food options nearby cause the hotel food sounds expensive…?
Thanks Neeraj.
Not sure honeymooners will enjoy the stay. Even we thought the food is expensive, especially for non-foodies like us who may not even finish the thali. There are a couple of restaurants nearby.
🙂
hi…unni and bindhu: nice to meeting u in our 1st birding venture…it was interesting….ur blog is interesting and valuable….next time when i plan a trip…shall check ur blog…have a nice time ahead…rgds….sagar & nirzari….
Thanks, Sagar & Nirzari. Nice meeting you too 🙂