All You Need To Know About The Windamere Hotel

By Author: Ackley Cooper Shaw
Total Articles: 211

Established in the 1930s, the Windamere Hotel was built on the Observatory Hill in Darjeeling by the British government which was ruling India at that point of time. When the British reign ended in 1947, it was thought that the hotel will soon meet its end due to negligence. However, this hotel did not lose even a single bit of its charm, and the British-style decorations and the architecture have been kept intact over the years. Even now, when one visits the hotel, the reminiscence of the British Raj glory days can be felt from every nook and corner of this exotic building.

The hotel was actually built as a cozy boarding house to shelter the bachelor British and Scottish tea planters who used to come to Darjeeling. It was later converted into a hotel by Mr. Tenduf-La just before the Second World War broke out, under the name ‘Windamere’. The hotel started gaining immense popularity as Darjeeling came to be known as the ‘Summer Capital’ of India. Built in Darjeeling, it acts as the perfect spot of respite from the daily humdrums of chaotic city life.

When the first National Awards Ceremony was held, Windamere Hotel was presented with a prestigious award for showing excellence as a Heritage Hotel of India. Over the years, this outstanding hotel has earned rightful titles like “One of the three Jewels of the Raj" and "Heritage House of the Himalayas". Renowned for its excellence to sophisticated globetrotters, the Windamere has earned its stripes for having a unique charm and ambience which are successful every time in bringing back the taste of the past; and it has also been the topic of numerous chronicles in the international media.

The Windamere Hotel Darjeeling is a destination by itself. You will surely be amazed with its awe-inspiring design. There are 46 rooms in the hotel – which includes standard rooms, superior rooms, and colonial suites. The look and feel of the old colonial suites is kept as they were when the hotel started. The garden area, dining area, and the Sunny Side patio are nothing less than spectacular. The unique Christmas celebration in the hotel is top-notch and attracts people from every part of the world every year.

The exotic Ada Villa, a wing of the Windamere Hotel , focuses more on the bygone days and visitors are made to experience the ways in which the people of old Darjeeling used to carry on their daily existence. Due to this reason, you will not find television sets, telephones and other facilities one is accustomed with – this is done in order to take the visitors back to the days which were green and peaceful. The Ada Villa is apt for people who choose to live without any distraction of modern life as long as they are staying. The Snuggery wing, however, lets the visitors indulge in the days of the past as well as remain in touch with modern life. Basic necessities like television sets and telephones are provided.

Do not miss out the chance of creating everlasting memories with the Windamere. It is one of those hotels you must visit at least once in your life.