Accommodation which speaks of "going back in time to the years when it was the oldest English Boarding House in the Himalayas - it was named 'Ada Villa". It was to be the repose of Kings, Queens and other dignitaries, but not forgetting the old Tea Planters of that era!
The only truly authentic Colonial Hotel in the region - You will be offered one of the orginal suites where Royalty has stayed - it has been restored and not renovated". ADA VILLA WAS BUILT BY THE RAJ SOCIETY IN 1841. It is the orginal "old house" with Royal Suites, Daisy's Music Room, Bearpark's Parlour and the famous Windamere Bar (where many famous parties were held!)
Ada Villa (originally built in 1841 and then converted into a Boarding House in the late 1880's, for bachelor tea planters and other British Raj professionals. All of the suites and cottages are from the old Colonial days of the British Raj period, which stretched from the 1800's up to Indian Independence in 1947). This house is part of the Windamere accommodation on Observatory Hill. All suite names relate to the actual person who stayed there. Four of the six Colonial Suites offer a second bedroom.
Observatory Hill, Darjeeling, India, Pin Code: 734101 (Direction)
Telephone: +91-354-2254041 / +91-354-2254042
Colonial Tea Planters Suites
Knebworth: situated within the main house of Ada Villa, this beautiful suite has a full sitting area, twin or double beds, fireplace and Victorian bathroom. The main Ada Villa house suites are quite large. This room was named after Lord Cobbold's stately home in England. His father, The Earl of Lytton, was a former Viceroy of India, during the Raj period and was also known as Viscount Knebworth. They all stayed with us.
A similar suite to Knebworth, again this room is quite large - with a fireplace. It was named after the famous French lady who dressed up as a monk and managed to get into what was at that time a reclusive and forbidden country called Tibet. Today, French groups come to honour her. Twin or double beds. Showing the Victorian tub, complete with claw feet.
Is a lovely set of old Colonial Suites - some with dressing & conversation areas, and all with Victorian bathrooms. This design is right out of the old British Raj days. Guests would usually stay for the whole summer season in those days. We offer both twin and double bedded suites, all with coal fires. Looks out to the wonderful mountain vistas.
THE COLONIAL ROYAL SUITES
Situated upstairs in the main house, this is a full colonial suite (twin/double beds), with a second single bedroom and bathroom + fireplace. Beautifully furnished, with high class Indian rugs. The Prince actually stayed here (he was related to the present Duke of Edinburgh).
Would have been the wife of a Nawab or Nizam. Twin/double bedded, fireplace, sitting area, separate single room and bathroom - same standard of rugs.
Named after our famous guest, the King of Sikkim (he was formally introduced to his second wife at Windamere). A gorgeous room, with twin or double beds, large sitting area, second single room, bathroom and fireplace - again, beautifully furnished with high class Indian rugs
When Thailand was known as Siam, the Princess stayed here. The present Princess of Thailand has also stayed in this suite, as has the present Thai Ambassador to India. A twin or double bedded suite, with a large sitting area, + a separate single room, fireplace, chaise longue and bathroom. Beautiful Indian rugs from Kashmir + restored antique furniture, extra bedroom/lounge area.
In the days of the British Raj, when the Central Government was based in Calcutta (as they named it then), the Governor of what was called 'Bengal” in those days, often stayed with us. This was his suite. It is situated right at the end of 'The Annexe' and on a clear day shows a full and beautiful mountain vista.
COTTAGES & HONEYMOON SUITES
This delightful cottage is set right on The Patio, with a great view of the Himalayan Mountains. It has an adjoining suite, through an attached door (very good for families). Little Peppers has its own sitting room and separate king-sized bed, fireplace, dressing room and bathroom. The suite next door also has a fireplace, sitting area and twin beds. Both sides have Victorian bathrooms. This cottage is very popular!
Is a very interesting suite! It is semi-circular in shape and situated under our dining room. It is also known as a “Honeymoon Suite”, with its double bed, lovely sitting area, television and bathroom. The view from the window looks out across the Himalayan Mountains. Couples find this room to be very cosy and private. There is no fireplace in this suite (due to a lack of a chimney), but we do have a very cosy “living fire” in the room. Again, very popular - famous Bollywood stars have stayed here!
Tinkerbelle's Cottage: is just up Observatory Hill (we are the only property on this hill, with the Pundits and Lamas giving blessing at the temple above us). Built in the late 1800's, this lovely cottage offers “top of the line” accommodation and is situated less than one minute from the main house. It is a standalone bungalow, with a king-sized bed; 2 x bathrooms; a roaring fire and newly upholstered easy chairs and sofas. Luxury Tibetan and Indian area rugs grace the polished wood floors. The property comes with a large veranda, offering two seating areas; flat screen TV (also in the bedroom and living area); dining table and chairs and a kitchen. It is set in its own grounds, with a sit-out area just outside the main door and sweeping lawns (with a play area for children). Extra beds can be included in both the living room and also the verandah. This accommodation is quickly sought after by honeymoon couples and families who require more privacy. Spectacular mountain views are just five minutes away.
These suites are from the old Raj days. We have 'Faith' & 'Hope & Charity'. Faith is an old Colonial suite, with a Victorian tub bathroom + a sitting area. Can be twin or double. It was named after Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, who stayed with us on his journey to Thailand. He was a very famous writer of spiritual inspirational books. 'Hope' was named after Hope Cooke, the American socialite, who stayed with us for months. She formally met HH The Chogyal of Sikkim (king) at Windamere. They eventually married and Hope Cooke became the Queen of Sikkim. 'Charity' has finally re-opened its connecting door and is now the bedroom part of 'Hope & Charity'. It is double only. Needless to say, if we have Faith & Hope, it follows that Charity has to come next. We re-named this building 'The Tenduf-La Suites' after our beloved MD, Sherab Tenduf-La, passed away in 2015, in honour of his name and work, but most of all because of our loving devotion to him and his family.
This suite has 2 x bathrooms... both with Victorian tubs. Large screen TV in sitting room.
With a small sitting area and Victorian bathroom. Only accommodates one person.
Guests find this little suite extremely cosy. Situated next to our 'Garden Enclosed', with an extra garden style entrance.