Visitors' Reviews/Comments
Niladri Agarwala (June 2019)
Hello Raj, Thanks for the wonderful summary and guidance. I am planning to visit Darjeeling during Durga Puja this year and looking for family hotel with good view of the Kanchenjunga but a bit far away from the crowd and congested places. Also I am planning to hire a car from Siliguri and self drive. Would you please recommend a suitable hotel along with a car parking facility?
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) June 2019
Hi, Summit Swiss Heritage Hotel could be a good option. Ask for the view rooms.
Dilip Dutta Gupta (February 2019)
Hi. Thank you so much for your informative, upright and honest reviews. I see Darjeeling through your eyes. I am retired and very soon my wife will also retire. I find that even after selecting the best rooms for viewing Kanchenjunga you may miss the bus if weather plays truant. Can you please suggest a time slot of seven days when usually in Darjeeling the weather is most helpful? Please also suggest good eateries with continental and Bengali cuisine. Should our first choice be Classic Guesthouse? My budget for one week for two of us is forty to forty five thousand.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) February 2019
Hi, March-April is usually a good time for the views and so is October-December. Glenary's and Shangrila (both on Nehru Road and close to each other) are good multi-cuisine restaurants. For typical Bengali food, you can visit Mahakal restaurant on Robertson Road... it's a budget eatery so do not expect great stuff. Classic Guesthouse is good but can be inconvenient for the seniors because meals are not served and it's an uphill walk to the mall. Better choose a hotel with in-house dining, even Darjeeling Tourist Lodge (room in main building upstairs can be a good option).
F. Jaiswal (January 2019)
Hello Mr Raj, We appreciate your work. Its truly above and beyond. It's beneficial for all of us. We are planning a trip to Darjeeling along with elderly family members who wish stay in unobstructed full Kanchenjunga view rooms near the Mall. We are considering hotels (within Rs 4000) within 500 meters of the Mall. We want to know about The Oakdene Resort. It will be of immense help if you share your review of The Oakdene Resort. Awaiting your reply.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2019
Hi, Oakdene is a relatively new 3-star hotel on the Mall Road (East). The backside rooms (Premium Rooms) have great views of Kanchenjunga (few of these rooms have a large terrace opening out to the views). Service and in-house food are good. Its within 3-4 minute walk from the Mall. Cars won't come up to the doorstep, so you need to walk from the nearest taxi stand (Bhanu Bhawan or Clubside stand). The published rate (rack rate) won't match with your target price, you need to negotiate and during off season they can oblige.
Asok Chatterjee (November 2018)
Raj: You are doing a heck of a job. We appreciate. Rate the TOP 3 hotels for me in order of ABSOLUTE BEST MOUNTAIN VIEW either from room or from hotel's patio/common areas, regardless of price. I thank you.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) November 2018
Cedar Inn (view from rooms), Hotel Hermitage (view from rooms), Windamere (view from patio).
Sam (September 2016)
Hi Raj, Your posts are really great. After reading those and doing a little bit of research, I chose three options 1) Windamere, 2) Cedar Inn and 3) Mayfair hotel, as I want rooms with mountain views. I understand Windamere price is the highest so thought of settling with the other two. But though I learnt that Cedar Inn has good views, but its far from the mall and main roads, so that's an issue. So my question is about Mayfair hotel and wanted your honest opinion about it. How good is the hotel and are there rooms with mountain views. Thanks in advance.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2016
Hi, Mayfair is definitely a great hotel, although may not rank #1 in my list. The hotel and its rooms face the valley full of houses and trees. So views are limited from the rooms. However the hotel has vantage points for viewing Kanchenjunga snow peaks.
Arup Chakraorty (November 2015)
Hello Raj, Thanks for your informative site. Raj, every year since last 14 yrs I am visiting Darjeeling. After going through your site I feel happy that every year I stayed at the best Kanchenjunga viewing hotels. Frankly I can't think of any other hotel than Dolphin, Highlander's inn or Sailung. Now I need a help from you- Please provide your guidance and inform me about any other hotel as this year I need a different taste.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) November 2015
Hi, you can try out Hotel Hermitage (a new 3-star category hotel located next to Highlander's Inn). The upper floors of Darjeeling Tourist Lodge (Main Building) are also good for views.
Prasun Bhattacharyya (January 2014)
Hello Raj, Thank you very much for sharing such a great and informative website for travel lovers. I am coming with my wife in Darjeeling in the month of March. I need little assistance from you regarding Hotel choosing in Darjeeling. Since you mentioned about Hotel North Star can you please let me know if this hotel is in good location like I need a Kanchanjunga facing room? And how is the food quality of this hotel? How far is the hotel from Mall? Is car come upto this hotel or do I have to walk from taxi stand? I know I am asking lot but please help me on this.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2014
Hi, Hotel North Star is okay and located on the narrow HD Lama road. The road itself is quite congested. So the approach to the hotel is not good. But the location is quite convenient and the taxi can reach you up to the hotel. Mall is about 5-6 minutes walk. Take a view room and not a road facing room. The view rooms are costlier. Most rooms are quite spacious and clean. The food is average. They serve buffet type lunch and dinner during high season. The staff could be more professional but they are cooperative. Overall a good hotel but not amongst the best in its category. You can find better view hotels in this price range.
Moumita Dutta (January 2014)
Hello Raj, There are few friends of mine who have suggested the Hotel Retreat of Darjeeling which is near Governor's House. Wanted to know how good is the Hotel? Kindly suggest few hotels which are little away from the hustle bustle of the mall with great Mt. K's view. Many Thanks in advance
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2014
Hi, The Retreat is okay. Sometime back they got their entire intercom phone lines & TV cable lines burnt up due to nearby fire. So check this out before you go. The rooms have been recently renovated. Owned by a Bengali group in Kolkata, so mostly all Bengali staff. Choose a good view room (202, 203 etc). Room heating is inadequate during winter. No bar in the restaurant. A bit overpriced in my view. Actually there aren't many hotels in Darjeeling in the same price category. Another one which you may consider is Central Nirvana, on CR Das Road below Mall.
Abhisek Kejariwal (April 2013)
After reading your suggestions and the page "Darjeeling hotels with best Kanchenjunga views" we have thought of the classic guesthouse for our stay as it is both in our budget as well as the reviews are good. please give your valuable suggestions in this regard. Thanks a lot in advance
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, April 2013)
Good choice... homely atmosphere. Mostly chosen by the foreigners. Although a little old, I like it. Great views. Less noise although close to the mall. The only issue is to carry the luggage. There is no taxi service up to the guesthouse. Take a porter from the taxi stand if you need one. You should ask the taxi to drop you at Clubside taxi stand on Gandhi Road (which is the one closest to the mall) and not at lower bazaar stand or any other.
Swati Gupta (February 2013)
Raj, I'm also a great mountain lover, specially Darjeeling. Had gone there innumerable times on our way back from different treks, staying most of the time in Main old Bellevue hotel. But it has become costlier these days. This time I'll be visiting Darjeeling by march-end with my 82 years old father & 3 kids. We are a 9 member team altogether. I'd like a k'junga view room in medium budget & not very far from the madding crowd :-) Can u suggest one? I've heard about some Holiday Inn just beside the Raj Bhavan which has great view rooms. I think it is near Dolphin hotel. Please let me know about this hotel & it's tariff.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, December 2012)
Swati, You are probably meaning Highlanders Inn located on Hermitage Road and near Raj Bhawan (there is no Holiday Inn). Highlanders is a nice budget hotel with rooms having sweeping views of Kanchenjunga like that of Hotel Dolphin. The hotel is run by women staff. Rooms are basic and have standard amenities of a budget hotel including TV, phone, carpet, attached bath with shower, hot water, room & laundry service etc. Maintenance is average (can improve). There is an in-house restaurant and the food is good. Service is quite warm and friendly. The overall feel is like that of a guest house. The best part, I agree is the view. Room rate (double room) ranges from Rs. 1400 - 1800 per night (roughly). You will get good discounts during off season.
Location & Contacts: Highlanders Inn
6/1, Hermitage Road, Close to Governor's House, Darjeeling - 734101.
Phone: +91-354 2254055; Mobile: (+91) 98325 52662
Email: [email protected]
Eesit Pradhan (December 2012)
Sir, thanks a ton for giving us such useful info. I'm planning to go to Darjeeling with my newly-wed wife. Villa Everest or Swiss hotel, which has better view of mountain ranges, especially Kanchenjunga? if you have any suggestion for us, we will be highly grateful for that. Thanking you, yours etc.
Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, December 2012)
Eisit, My personal preference would be Villa Everest. Swiss Hotel is further down Gandhi Road and the upstairs rooms of the main building has great views. The garden in Swiss Hotel also offers lovely views. Whereas all rooms of Villa Everest are view rooms.
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