Luxury Heritage hotel · Darjeeling
Windamere Hotel
A colonial hotel on Observatory Hill above Chowrasta, built in 1841 as Ada Villa, later a boarding house for tea planters and a hotel named Windamere from 1939. Fireplaces, afternoon tea and Kangchenjunga views keep its old Darjeeling character.
Photo: Arne Hückelheim 2010-09-21 12:41:53 This is a … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsWindamere began as Ada Villa, built in 1841, and in the late 1880s became a boarding house for British tea planters. In 1939 it opened as the Windamere Hotel, later expanding into a wing that had been part of the Loreto Convent. It is famous in local history as the place where Palden Thondup Namgyal, the Crown Prince of Sikkim, first met Hope Cooke in 1959. The hotel sits on Observatory Hill, a short walk above Chowrasta, away from traffic.
Rooms are in cottages and wings with fireplaces, period furniture and hot water bottles at night; many face the tea slopes and Kangchenjunga. Afternoon tea, a library and old photographs keep the colonial atmosphere. It is not a modern luxury resort, and some will find rooms dated, but no other hotel in Darjeeling gives this sense of the town's past. Book months ahead for October and spring.
Why we use it
- Darjeeling's classic heritage hotel, a short walk above Chowrasta
- Fireplaces, afternoon tea and period rooms
- Quiet Observatory Hill setting with mountain views
Best for
The photo shows Darjeeling, not the property itself.
Trips that stay here
Sleep here on a trip
Photo: Mayukh Ghose · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Signature
Taj Chia Kutir, Windamere and Glenburn
Private SUV with driver
Photo: Arne Hückelheim 2010-09-21 12:41:53 This is a … · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Signature
Windamere, Sandakphu and Taj Chia Kutir
Private SUV with driver; reserved Land Rover on the Singalila Ridge
Around the stay
Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a hill town at about 2,045 m on a ridge facing Kangchenjunga, 74 km away. Stay 3 nights to ride the toy train to Ghum, watch sunrise from Tiger Hill and walk a tea garden. Come in October–November or March–May. Saver stays start near ₹2,000 a night; Windamere sits at the top end.
Photo: Souviksen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Toy train joy ride to Ghum and Batasia Loop
A 2-hour round trip on the 2 ft gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, climbing from Darjeeling to Ghum station at about 2…
Photo: Shahnoor Habib Munmun · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
Sunrise on Kangchenjunga from Tiger Hill
Drive before dawn to Tiger Hill, 2,590 m and about 11 km from Darjeeling, to watch first light hit Kangchenjunga. On cl…
Photo: Matt Stabile · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Happy Valley tea garden walk and tasting
Walk down to Happy Valley Tea Estate, 3 km from Chowrasta, the closest garden to Darjeeling town. Founded in 1854, it i…
Questions
About Windamere Hotel
Can cars reach Windamere Hotel?
The hotel is on Observatory Hill above the Mall, where traffic is restricted. Guests usually arrive at a drop point and walk a short distance, with staff carrying luggage. Ask the hotel for current arrangements.
Is Windamere heated in winter?
Rooms have fireplaces and the hotel provides extra heating comforts such as hot water bottles. Old buildings are still cooler than modern hotels, so pack warm layers for December to February.
Can non-guests visit Windamere for tea?
Non-guests have been welcomed for meals and tea at times, but policies change. Call ahead to check whether a table is available.
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