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Windamere

The Windamere, is situated on the Observatory Hill and overlooks the town’s main promenade. Described as "one of the three Jewels of the Raj" by a celebrated travel writer, was recipient of a national excellence award as a heritage hotel for good reason. Initially established as a boarding house for single English and Scottish tea planters, it was converted into a hotel just before the outbreak of the Second World War.

It is situated on the Observatory Hill and overlooks Darjeeling's main promenade. Observatory Hill, a Darjeeling landmark, is believed to be the focus and repository of life-enhancing cosmic energies. From this hill, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and Sikkim can be glimpsed on a clear day against a backdrop of twenty of the highest peaks in the world,

While the hotel has grown with the times and some aspects have necessarily changed to incorporate modern comforts, it is best known for what has not changed - the old world charm and quiet, dignified, expansive comfort

The Windamere hotel is split into two wings: The Windamere and Little Windamere.

The former, based in the main house called Ada Villa, is furnished in traditional colonial style with flowery chintz curtains and a strict embargo on the intrusion of the modern television or telephone. This wing, whose suites have names as quaint as their décor, includes a honeymoon cottage, the House of the Eighth Happiness and Little Peppers.

The Little Windamere has bowed to modern exigencies and while it retains all the traditional qualities of hospitality, its décor is more modern and the rooms have televisions and telephones.

37 rooms and suites

Hotels Highlights
Multi-cuisine Restaurant
Bar
Baby Sitter
log Fire in every room
Library
Windamere has its own company of artistes, who perform "The Songs & Dances of the Hills", in an outdoor setting; and "Ghazals", in the intimate setting of the hotel's Bearpark Parlour