When in Darjeeling, the smell of tea and the views of the mountains will never leave your side. If you’re looking to escape the heat and getaway to the cool mountains, here are some of the most scenic and peaceful tea estates, homestays, boutique hotels and resorts to stay in and around Darjeeling.
Tea estates near Darjeeling
Glenburn Tea Estate, Singritan
Though started by a Scottish tea company, Glenburn Tea Estate is run by the Prakash family, one of India’s pioneering tea-planting families. Here, you will be surrounded by nature—the estate has 1,000 acres of private forest, as well as two rivers running across it. There are two bungalows—the Burra Bungalow and the Water Lily Bungalow—each with four well-appointed suites. Spend your days here hiking, fishing and touring the property to learn about how tea is grown and tasted. Try to embrace the stillness of your surroundings with a book, some yoga or a cup of tea. Doubles from Rs9,428* for a minimum stay of 2 nights
Sourenee Tea Estate, Mirik
Located in Darjeeling’s Mirik Valley, Sourenee Tea Estate is over 100 years old. The boutique resort houses ten rooms in a three-storeyed bungalow surrounded by tea gardens. The rooms are cosy and minimally furnished, with wooden floors and windows overlooking the sloping hills. The in-house restaurant serves local and international cuisines, and tea made from freshly-picked leaves can be enjoyed throughout the day. Doubles from Rs10,800*.
Ging Tea House, Lebong Valley
A thirty-minute drive from Darjeeling, this tea house is said to be among the oldest in the region. The house is perched on a hill 3,000 feet above sea level and is spread over almost 1,500 acres. While each of the six suites on the property are styled differently, the old-world charm of a colonial-era tea planter estate is found through the house, with antique furniture, four-poster drapes in the rooms, candelabras and fireplaces. The property can arrange for a day-long tour of the tea estate, which includes a traditional tea-picker’s lunch and a tea-tasting session. Doubles from Rs19,500*.
Chamong Chiabari Mountain Retreat
Located in the Chamong tea estate in Darjeeling, this property’s sloping red roofs, bright yellow walls and quiet presence make you feel at home in the hills. The rooms are spacious and minimal, with low beds, comfortable couches and warm lights. Pick between garden and valley view rooms—some have fireplaces, and some have bathtubs with views of the hills. It’s the kind of place that asks you to slow down and drop everything to simply watch the clouds move across the sky, and feel the cool breeze on your skin. Doubles from Rs10,691*.
Singtom Tea Estate & Resort
A short 20-minute drive from Darjeeling, Singtom Tea Estate & Resort is a heritage tea plantation spread across 1,600 acres. Here, you can choose among three suites—the King and Queen suites come with mountain views (the former has a private terrace) and the Prince suite comes with a balcony. Spend your days enjoying the luxury of walking in nature, enjoy a picnic at 360 Point (just five minutes from your room), get a tour of the tea factory, trek up paths in the estate and awaken your senses with a tea tasting session. Doubles from Rs11,000*.
Homestays near Darjeeling
Kaleege House
This farmstay is located in Takdah, a British cantonment that’s a two-hour drive from Darjeeling. The house is owned by Prabhdev and Mridula Singh, who left their busy lives in Delhi to move to cooler weather and quieter surroundings. The house is named after the “kalij” or Himalayan pheasant that is commonly found in the region. The main house has a spacious bedroom, with access to the dining areas and sitouts, while the elevated cottage on the property has two bedrooms, with views of the Mungpoo and Kalimpong hills in the distance. Enjoy farm-fresh meals, walking trails to the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary close-by and visits to the Rangli-Rangilot, Teesta Valley or Gielle tea gardens. Doubles from Rs10,000*.
The English Cottage
The English Cottage is owned by Austen and Shalla Plant, old-time residents of Darjeeling. The two are lovers of travel, and explored several parts of the world before retiring to settle in Darjeeling permanently. Their cottage is comfortable and homely, filled with plants, wooden furnishings and lounge chairs. You can book the entire cottage, or pick from the two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor, deluxe attic rooms, a premiere deluxe room and the 180° room—named so because of its expansive views. There is also a sky deck and a sun deck, to enjoy the beautiful views of the Kanchenjunga. Doubles from Rs12,299*; Full cottage from Rs87,000*.
Holumba Haven
Holumba Haven is for lovers of nature. The two-acre property is home to an expansive orchid nursery, with over 1,000 species of orchids. There are several plants and trees, all of which are fed by a natural spring. Even the chalets (Bamboo Grove, Magnolia, Pine Woods) have been named after trees and flowers. Most of the cottages have three double occupancy rooms, and some even have reading rooms, walk-in closets and sitting rooms. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for the Treetop cottage, which isn’t perched on a tree but is located at the highest point on the property and requires a bit of a climb. Doubles from Rs2,000*.
Hotels near Darjeeling
The Elgin, Darjeeling
Once the summer residence of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar—a princely state during the British rule—The Elgin has been refurbished, its colonial past retained, with Burma teak furniture, fireplaces and a grand piano. Pick from premium and deluxe double rooms, and if you’re travelling with kids, opt for the attic rooms or suites. The property has an in-house restaurant serving Indian and European cuisines, an outdoor gazebo for snacks and light meals, and a tea lounge with a bar, where you can sip on a drink by the warmth of a fire. Doubles from Rs8,000*.
Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for luxury in the hills, this is where you will find it. The property is located in the Makaibari Tea Estate, which was established in 1859 and is believed to be the first tea estate in the world. Everywhere you look, you will see rolling hills, and every you go, the soft fragrance of tea will follow you. Pick from a range of valley-view rooms, or opt for the Tea Plantation Villa Suite, which has two balconies, or the Presidential Makaibari Suite, which has a private gazebo. There’s a relaxed al fresco dining space and a fine-dining restaurant, as well as an all-glass bar and a lounge for hi-tea. Sit back and relax, take a dip in the pool, book yourself a spa session, and embrace the slow life of the hills. Doubles from Rs23,000*.
Pine Tree Heritage Wing
This property is located on the campus of the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club—a club that’s been around for over a century. The hotel brings together colonial design and modern amenities, to create a stay that’s comfortable, with a touch of history. There are rooms, suites as well as attic rooms, making it perfect for family holidays. If you’re looking to explore the hill station, the Chowrasta or Mall Road is a stone’s throw away.
Mayfair Darjeeling
This charming heritage property used to be the summer residence of the Maharaja of Nizargunj. you will find yourself transported to a different time. Carpeted floors, wooden interiors, leather couches and fireplaces make the space perfect to cosy up in the cool Darjeeling weather. If you’re travelling with parents or kids, opt for the spacious suites or family rooms, which come with beautiful balconies and sit-outs. There’s a fully-functional gym, a game room, a spa, two restaurants and the Douglas Bar—an old-fashioned English bar, where you can kick back with a drink to keep you warm. Doubles from Rs6,350*.
Summit Swiss Heritage Hotel & Spa
This century-old property offers expansive views of the Kanchenjunga and sprawling gardens for leisurely strolls. The hotel is walking distance from Mall Road and the Darjeeling Toy Train station, and dates back to 1914. There are rooms, suites and family cottages on offer—the latter is spacious enough so your kids won’t feel cooped up. Wake up to see the sunrise over the mountains, with a steaming hot cup of tea, take a trip to Mall Road for some shopping, and book yourself a calming ayurvedic treatment at the spa to wind down. Doubles from Rs6,000*.
*Prices are subject to change.
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