Darjeeling conjures visions of snow peaks, serenity of vibrant green hills steeped in splendor, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas. Darjeeling is one of the most magnificent hill resorts and a favorite destination for all Bengalis.. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade.
Flaming red rhododendrons, sparkling white magnolias, miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as the 'QUEEN OF HILL STATIONS'.
One can reach Darjeeling by plane, train and surface transport. The nearest Airport is Bagdogra ( 4hours drive) and the nearest broad-gauge rail station is New Jalpaiguri (4 hours drive). One can immerse in tranquility in this picturesque hill station and stay put for a couple of days, away from the humdrum of city life. However, choosing a decent hotel in Darjeeling can be a daunting task and needless to say, a hotel can virtually make or mar one’s trip.
Here are the best hotels in Darjeeling:
Best Darjeeling Luxury Hotels (7k- 15k)
1. Windamere
This is a heritage property listed as the royal, colonial hotel of India. Windamere walls whisper everything about the royalties of the British Raj, the unsaid truths and the luxury and richness of the Indian sub continent. The minute you walk into this hotel, you are welcomed with an old-school English charm. Each room has queen to king sized beds covered with floral quilts like the one's that represent the Buckingham Palace. They have a wellness spa, offer sightseeing facilities and a royal dining experience.
Ideal for: Families, couples and kids
Price per night: Rs 11,000 onward
2. Mayfair
Sitting proudly atop a Himalayan hillock, Mayfair Darjeeling overlooks sweeping green valleys. And the second you step into its palatial premises, it transports you back in time, to another era altogether. An erstwhile summer palace to a maharaja, the heritage hotel was given a second chance at life upon its renovation and is now cradled by manicured gardens and a whimsical collection of kitschy sculptures. Sustained by the tea-scented daydream that is the town of Darjeeling, Mayfair offers jaw-dropping views of distant mountains glistening under the sun and neighboring hills draped in thick mist, all year round.
Ideal for: Families with kids, couples
Price per night: Rs 7,000 - Rs 12,000
You can read about more about Mayfair in Sonalika's article.
3. Cedar Inn
Located high above the main town, this boutique hotel is nestled between tall trees and groves. The serene environment makes up for the peace and quite and natural luxury that the resort has to offer. This is an estate property, with well carpeted floors, stress relieving spa's and well spaced out rooms that up the luxury game.
Ideal for: Families, kids and couples
Price per night: Rs 7,000 - Rs 11,000
4. The Elgin Darjeeling
Situated in the heart of Darjeeling, Elgin is a luxurious heritage property built with fine architecture, culture and British history. Almost all rooms boast spectacular views of the valley and mountains. Most of the rooms even have comfortable bathtubs. The hotel wins in prompt service, personal attention and friendly staff.
Ideal for: Families, couples and business travelers.
Price per night: From Rs 10,500 onward
Best hotels in Darjeeling under 7K INR:
1. Viceroy Darjeeling
Located less than 900 meters from the Darjeeling bus station and on the mall road, Viceroy's location is it's winning point. Stay here and you can capture breathtaking views of snow-capped Himalayan mountains. They also have a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves lip-smacking Indian and Chinese food. They host live folk dances and local musicians almost every evening to keep their guests entertained.
Ideal for: Families with kids and couples
Price per night: Rs 5,100 onward
2. Istana Resort and Spa
Only 5km from Tiger Hill, 2.6 km from the Buddhist Monastery and 2.5 km from the Mahakar Mandir, Istana is an affordable luxury property that offers spacious rooms with a handful of amenities and a relaxing spa to relieve all the stress.
Ideal for: Families, couples and children
Price per night: Rs 5,000 onward
3. Ramada by Wyndham Darjeeling
This is a luxurious and contemporary business hotel that stands tall in the city center. It is located less than 500 meters from the main market. The hotel faces spectacular views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the worlds third highest peak. They have a spectacular wellness club and a fine-dine restaurant.
Ideal for: Families with kids and business crowd
Price per night: Rs 4,000 onward
4. Singtom Tea Estate and Resort
This is yet another heritage property with an old-school English charm. This is also the oldest known tea estate in India. Situated merely 20 km from Darjeeling town, the tea estate spans across a whooping 1600 acres and stretches over a vast landscape of sprawling tea gardens, forests, natural waterfalls and a river flowing through the estate towards the bottom of the hills. As a guest of the resort, you can access all of these.
They have activities like the tea tasting tour, tea factory tour, tea plucking tour, trekking and exploring the town of Darjeeling.
Ideal for: Families, kids and couples
Price per night: Rs 5,500 onward
Book the hotel here.
Darjeeling is as much a place to feel as much as it is to see. Darjeeling is a foodie's paradise. A breakfast of hot chocolate, sausages, sandwiches and meatloaves is a must at the iconic Keventer's roof top café. A few iconic films have been shot here, most notably, Satyajit Ray's "Kanchenjunga" and more recently, "Barfi!" Beautiful handicrafts of Tibetan and Nepali origins can be found in the markets of Darjeeling and at the Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre.
So what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to the queen of hills already. You can get all the information about Darjeeling in this complete guide. Here is a quick 3D - 2N itinerary of Darjeeling to get you started. Are you short on time? Here is a quick list of things to do in Darjeeling for 24 hours.
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