Darjeeling is one of those tourist destinations that offer a perfect blend of colonial charm, breathtaking Himalayan views, and natural beauty. Whether it is for a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a group tour, this scenic hill station in North Bengal should be on your travel bucket list. One of the most important decisions that one has to make while visiting this hill station is to choose from the best hotels in Darjeeling. This is because the choice of accommodation significantly determines the extent to which your stay becomes convenient and luxurious.
In this blog, we will explore the top 10 hotels in Darjeeling so that you can choose the best one as per your budget, comfort, and desire. Before covering the list of hotels, let us take a quick overview of where to stay in Darjeeling.
Where to Stay in Darjeeling for the Best Experience?
Knowing where to stay in Darjeeling is the first step towards choosing the right hotel. While the choice of travellers varies when it comes to choosing a location, there are some of the most sought-after areas that act as a common choice for the best staycation experience. One of the top choices to stay among people travelling to this hill station is an area that offers scenic views and easy accessibility. Here are the most popular areas to stay in Darjeeling:
- Mall Road: Also known as the Chowrasta, it is a vibrant and vehicle-free heart of Darjeeling. In addition, this place offers scenic Himalayan views, along with popular cafes and street food options.
- Lebong: This is a scenic residential valley located north of Darjeeling. Lebong is a quiet, rural extension of Darjeeling town, which makes it an ideal place to enjoy breathtaking Himalayan views.
- Tea Gardens: Staying in a place surrounded by tea gardens in Darjeeling offers a peaceful getaway, which combines fresh mountain air with serene natural beauty. There are a lot of hotels surrounded by tea gardens in this hill station.
10 Best Hotels in Darjeeling
The definition of a best hotel might differ from individual to individual because personal preferences, budget, and travel purpose vary. Some people prioritize luxury and modern amenities, while others prioritize location, unique experience (boutique), and budget. Whether you are a business traveller, a budget-conscious traveller, or a boutique enthusiast, knowing in detail about the different types of hotels in Darjeeling can help you choose the best one as per your choice and preference.
Here are the 10 best hotels in Darjeeling to choose from:
1. Mayfair Hill Resort: This is a premier luxury hotel located in the heart of Darjeeling town. Mayfair Hill Resort has more than 50 well-appointed rooms, along with a tea boutique, a fitness center, a spa, and fine dining.
- Location: The Mall, Opposite Governor's House, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling, 734101.
- Contact Number: +91 92339 04007
- Google Rating: 4.5 stars with more than 24,000 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.6 stars with more than 1400 reviews.
- Price per night: INR 12000 onwards
- Suitable for: families and business travellers.
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4rGdDtWGdC9AsM9MA
(Image sourced from official website)
2. Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa: This luxury hotel is located in the historic Makaibari Tea Estate, which offers lush green tea garden views. There are more than 70 rooms, with mini-bars and private balconies in each room. In addition, there is a dedicated wellness centre, fine dining, and event space.
- Location: Pankhabari Road, Makaibari Tea Estate, Kurseong, Darjeeling District, West Bengal, 734203.
- Contact Number: +91 90462 46060
- Google Rating: 4.5 stars with more than 950 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.7 stars with more than 870 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 22000 onwards
- Suitable for: business travellers and families
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ifnGGZ3j7JGANqYHA
(Image sourced from official website)
3. Windamere Hotel: This is one of the best hotels in Darjeeling with mountain views. Windamere Hotel is renowned for its colonial architecture, which offers premium luxury on a boutique stay. There are more than 30 rooms, with a conference facility, fine dining, the DHR Club, and a bar.
- Location: Observatory Hill, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734101.
- Contact Number:+91 76699 11913
- Google Rating: 4.2 stars with more than 450 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.4 stars with more than 500 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 7000 onwards
- Suitable for: couples, honeymooners, nature lovers, and families
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TUYYk47TDnih43ie8
4. Sinclairs Darjeeling: This is a 3-star hotel near Mall Road in Darjeeling, which is popular among both business and leisure travellers. There are more than 450 rooms with colonial charm and modern amenities. In addition, there is a multi-cuisine restaurant, a bar, and an indoor games room.
- Location: 18/1, Gandhi Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734101.
- Contact Number:+91 97359 41719
- Google Rating: 4.2 stars with more than 1000 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.6 stars with more than 1800 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 6000 onwards
- Suitable for: families, couples, and business travellers
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cNmpUDwDsvqkweYj6
(image sourced from official website)
5. Summit Swiss Heritage Resort & Spa: This is a 4-star colonial-style property that dates back to 1914. The hotel is located near prominent tourist attractions, such as the Mahakal Temple and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. There are more than 35 rooms with modern amenities. In addition, there is a multi-cuisine restaurant, a spa, and a bar inside the property.
- Location: 15/9A, Gandhi Road, Near Circuit House, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734101.
- Contact Number: +91 80 6957 5000
- Google Rating: 4.3 stars with more than 1800 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5 stars with more than 1100 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 4500 onwards
- Suitable for: families, couples, large groups, and business travellers.
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5kKcg5JajjsqNxSG6
(image sourced from official website)
6. Ramada by Wyndham, Darjeeling: This is a 4-star, centrally located luxury hotel in Darjeeling. There are more than 60 well-appointed rooms, along with a bar, a fitness center, a spa, and a 24-hour restaurant. The room balconies offer breathtaking views, which act as icing on the cake.
- Location: 2-3 Auckland Villa, Gandhi Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734101.
- Contact Number: +91 0354 3540000
- Google Rating: 4.4 stars with more than 2700 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.7 stars with more than 1000 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 11000 onwards
- Suitable for: families and business travellers.
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gqdTQQ2QzGVg449j7
(image sourced from official website)
7. Udaan Himalayan Suites & Spa: This is a highly preferred family-friendly hotel in Darjeeling. Udaan Himalayan Suites & Spa is a pure vegetarian hotel that offers premium bedding, spa services, and in-house dining facilities. There are more than 40 well-appointed rooms to choose from in this hotel.
- Location: Hill Cart Road, Kakjhora, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734101.
- Contact Number: +91 9555 033 033
- Google Rating: 4.6 stars with more than 1400 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.8 stars with more than 1700 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 10000 onwards
- Suitable for: families and couples
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DshLMP5jiWwAGJ2t5
(image sourced from official website)
8. Cedar Inn: This is a 4-star boutique hotel in Darjeeling, renowned for its Victorian-style architecture. Cedar Inn has an eco-conscious surrounding and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. There are more than 30 rooms, with a mini-bar and heating facilities in each room.
- Location: Dr. Zakir Hussain Road, Jalpahar, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734103.
- Contact Number: +91 74777 95844
- Google Rating: 4.5 stars with more than 400 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.7 stars with more than 1100 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 7600 onwards
- Suitable for: families, couples, business travellers, and nature lovers.
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TVowPJmWE9wWkE1RA
(image sourced from official website)
9. Hotel Seven Seventeen: This is a 3-star Tibetan-style hotel in Darjeeling that is located within walking distance from the Mall Road. There are more than 20 rooms at Hotel Seven Seventeen, along with an in-house restaurant, laundry, and car rental services.
- Location: H.D. Lama Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734101.
- Contact Number: +91 8372808717
- Google Rating: 4.0 stars with more than 1000 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.2 stars with more than 550 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 3000 onwards
- Suitable for: families, couples, and groups.
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FB3KzSzwP8W9mGvg8
(image sourced from official website)
10. Sterling Darjeeling: This is a scenic hotel/resort located in Ghoom. Sterling Darjeeling offers a quiet, high-altitude stay with modern amenities, including a gym, a spa, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and an activity center. There are more than 100 well-appointed rooms that fall into different categories.
- Location: B1, Ghoom Monastery Road, Darjeeling, West Bengal, 734102.
- Contact Number: +91 7969792031
- Google Rating: 4.3 stars with more than 4500 reviews.
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.3 stars with more than 1200 reviews.
- Price Per Night: INR 9500 onwards
- Suitable for: business travellers, couples, families, and large groups.
- Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/t7FhTpmNtW1j1YPn7
(image sourced from official website)
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling For Hotel Deals
If you are looking to grab the best hotel deals in Darjeeling, choosing the right season is key. Spring (March - May) and Autumn (September - November) are the peak seasons to visit Darjeeling. However, the prices of hotels are generally high due to the massive influx of tourists. Here is a seasonal breakdown of Darjeeling, which can help you choose the best time to visit this scenic hill station:
- Summer/Monsoon (June - August): This is the cheapest time for hotels because heavy rainfall leads to a lesser number of tourist visits. Some hotels might slash the price of a per-night booking to 40 - 50% during these months. However, you need to be careful about potential landslides and road blockages.
- Autumn (September - November): This is a peak season due to clear skies and pleasant climate. The view of the Kanchenjunga during Autumn is mesmerizing, which attracts a large number of tourists. Thus, hotel booking discounts are generally not offered during this season.
- Winter (December - February): Darjeeling during winter is extremely cold, which makes it less favourable for tourist visits. However, people who love to enjoy chilly weather visit this hill station during the winter months. Attractive hotel deals are offered during this season, which makes it ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
- Spring (March - May): This is another peak season, which attracts a large influx of tourists. The blooming flowers and clear skies during spring make Darjeeling a breathtaking, vibrant paradise. However, attractive hotel deals are not available during Spring due to high booking demand.
Tips to Choose the Best Hotel in Darjeeling
Choosing the best hotel in Darjeeling depends on individual choice, preference, and budget. However, it is important to know the process of choosing so that the maximum value for money can be ensured. In Darjeeling, there are common factors that need to be prioritized while choosing a hotel, which in turn can ensure a comfortable, memorable, and accessible stay. Here are some crucial tips that can prove to be immensely beneficial while choosing a hotel in the “Queen of the Hills”:
- Strategic location: Staying near Chowrasta is highly recommended for gaining easy access to restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
- Mountain views: One of the key attractions in Darjeeling is its enchanting mountains. Thus, by choosing a stay that offers mountain views, you can significantly enhance the overall experience.
- Amenities: Since the weather in Darjeeling remains cool throughout the year, heating facilities, hot water, and in-house restaurants become a necessity.
- Reputation and reviews: This is based on analysing the online reviews of the hotel on trusted sites, such as Google and TripAdvisor. Look for keywords, such as “excellent staff behaviour”, “modern amenities”, “boutique”, and “luxury”.
- Book months in advance during peak season: For booking during the peak months of March - May and September - November, advanced booking is recommended to avoid unavailability of desired rooms.
- Confirm vehicle access: This tip is based on choosing a hotel that is in proximity to taxi stands, which in turn can help in reducing the need to climb steep terrain.
FAQs
Q. Why should I choose a boutique hotel in Darjeeling for a stay?
Answer: Choosing a boutique hotel in Darjeeling offers an intimate and culturally immersive experience, which reflects colonial charm. In addition, personalized services and beautiful mountain views are trademarks of boutique hotels in this hill station.
Q. Which is the best hotel in Darjeeling?
Answer: The best hotel in Darjeeling depends on your individual choice, preference, and budget. However, the modern-day trend is to choose hotels that combine luxury with boutique stays. Windamere Hotel and Mayfair Hill Resort are two top choices for enjoying modern luxury with a boutique charm.
Q. Are there parking facilities available in hotels near Chowrasta, Darjeeling?
Answer: Yes, several top hotels near Chowrasta have parking facilities. However, advanced booking is highly recommended during peak seasons due to high demand and narrow roads.
Q. Do the hotels in Darjeeling offer sightseeing cabs?
Answer: Yes, by booking your stay in reputed hotels in Darjeeling, you can gain access to sightseeing cabs with drivers, which are arranged by the hotel staff. You can also choose the car according to your comfort and the total number of people.
Q. Are there dining facilities available inside the hotels?
Answer: Yes, most of the top hotels have in-house dining facilities, along with bars, activity centers, spas, and gyms. If you choose boutique or heritage hotels in Darjeeling, cozy fireplaces, scenic surroundings, and personalized services can ensure a romantic and memorable stay.
Q. How far is Tiger Hill from the Mall Road?
Answer: The distance between Tiger Hill and Mall Road is around 14 KM, which takes 40 - 50 minutes to reach. By booking a hotel near Mall Road in Darjeeling, you can witness the magical sunrise and Mount Kanchenjunga by travelling to Tiger Hill before sunrise.
