Call 01306 744 656 or
Call 01306 744 656 or
We love to spoil everyone with freshly baked scones, crackling fireplaces and snowcapped mountain views…
The Elgin is the oldest heritage hotel in Darjeeling. While much has changed around the hill town, at The Elgin you still get a sense of old-world charm and that feeling of yesteryear; the colonial touch, the antique furniture, the crackling fireplaces while people sip gin and tonics in the evening. Our signature trait is that we love to spoil everyone. No wonder they keep coming back!
Our menus offer a diverse range of local cuisine, Thai, Chinese and Indian food but we’re mostly known for our afternoon tea. In Darjeeling this is almost a rite of passage. We only use fresh leaf tea from local plantations accompanied by exquisite cookies, finger sandwiches, pastries and scones from our bakery – I have scones with jam and clotted cream every evening when I’m there. People skip lunch sometimes just so they have room for high tea in our beautiful lounge.
At times it feels like an oasis in the middle of town. From some rooms, you can see the snowcapped Kanchenjunga mountains while others overlook the meandering gardens. Then there are beautiful sunsets that drape over Darjeeling. There’s trekking, fishing and lovely walks through the woods where you see a lot of squirrels, wildfowl and a large variety of birds chirping away. I just love putting on my most comfortable shoes and rambling through the tea gardens down to town where you’ll still see remnants of the British rule such as the beautiful town mall. Our fully fledged spa can help you unwind afterwards.
Wherever you are you can see the mountains on one side and the tea gardens on the other – that’s the best part of Darjeeling and that’s why the environment is the priority for me. I’m allergic to plastic – I make sure it’s not in sight – and we carry out projects such as rainwater harvesting. What I’d rather rest my eyes on are the trees in the grounds that are about 200 years old. Even if we’re slightly extending the hotel, we carefully build around these large pine trees. Do I love gardening? Yes of course I do… well I love delegating.
Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Malcolm, who's travelled extensively in India. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember.
Freephone an expert 01306 744 656
