Burdwan Palace (Rani Kothi) Residency

Highly recommended for staying in Darjeeling. Environment was very royal to feel. Staffs are very co operative and gentle. Foods are like homemade. Best experience ever

This was in recent time at the Christmas week of Dec’2023, we two couples (family friends) visited this place ‘Rani Kothi Heritage Residency’ in Darjeeling. Here is our review, which is a big shout out to all fellow members who are looking out for this property, we suggest DO NOT go for this.
Firstly, this property they are selling online in name of Burdwan Palace, so I would like to clarify that Rani Kothi is not a part of the Palace, this is a leased property which is managed by some local in Darjeeling without any proper management protocol or policy.
Secondly we would like to highlight that the Rani Kothi property is damp, cold, shabby, broken, not maintained and with a domestic electricity line for which they don’t provide any heater, zero facility accommodation, pls do not trust the pictures uploaded on websites. The place doesn’t not provide any heating system, no free flow water supply, furniture are broken and is extremely inconveniently located. For tourists, Darjeeling has always been a winner when it comes to vacation and relaxation, but this Rani Kothi stay experience was similar to a nightmare for all of us.
We were excited to visit Darjeeling, until we checked in to Rani Kothi Residency on 24th Dec’23. In our first ten minutes, we gathered that the room had no heating system, TV remote not working and there was no water supply in washroom, whatever we touched in the room was freezing. After several requests they provided us with a heater, and we managed to get a blower from a local driver. We could only use one at a time because the property electricity line doesn't have the capacity to run it.

Somehow, we managed the night, as getting other hotel options on Christmas eve was next to impossible. The next day morning 25th Dec 23 the water supply issue persisted and for which we entire day schedule got delayed. We complained about the issue to the helpers and asked to report to the Owner/ Management and given a review.
On the day of Christmas evening when we returned to the hotel from our sight seeing and we were surprised to the core. The Owner/ Management had sent the helpers to our room and instructed them to take back the heater which on extreme request they provided on the first night because on 24rth when we checked in after seeing the condition of the room facility we were leaving the hotel that moment only also a blower which we managed from the car driver also was taken from the room and there was no facility for proper food for us on that night. On this late night, we were shocked and threatened by their behavior displayed and were extremely scared wondering – how will we manage ourselves in this cold, what if we are threatened or harassed further at night or left with no water supply. In this hour, we felt the dark side of our stay, which was nerving and alarming to us, a sense of fear running through and made us feel the horrified place on earth.
The next day morning before we checked out, we tried to have a long discussion with their staff and given our strong feedback. In this conversation, we gathered that the staff over their too need proper cooperation and help by the management to serve the client. The owner/ management has zero intention for helping the true issues of the property and the client they are selling the rooms.
With our honest feedback, we hope the owner/ management sees things for the long-term and undergo renovation immediately with proper facilty and then re-opens it for the public rather than causing discomfort and threat to the guests. Because they charge a hefty amount and this renovation with adequate facility is necessity for public to spend and have a comfortable stay.
Every tourist like us make a booking in any hotels with a trust and hope that their stay will be with comfort and relaxing but if the experience, facility and the treatment we receive is so bad and horrifying then its a matter of huge disappointment.
Moreover, would like to address to the Burdwan Palace’s respective Ancestors to intervene and take charge if possible and resolve the issues.

This place is a 250 years old Heritage property in Darjeeling. It is a property belonging to the ancestors of the Maharaja of Bardhaman. Many remarkable personalities had stayed here once including Gandhiji, Swami Vivekananda and Dalai Lama to name some.
It was wonderful staying there though services can improve a bit. Description plates must be there to let visitors know about the history of the place. Another problem is their payment system, they don't accept cards, as they don't have card swiping machine.

This was a quiet getaway away from the busy mall area. Food and hospitality was awesome.
Might be a bit far from city centre for some people but the ambience has a lot of history to soak in. This is a pre and post colonial time stamped heritage hotel. Good for trekking and bird watching too.

The location of the property for scenic beauty is awasome. The hospitality are very poor. Staff service was really worst & they seriously lack of basic traning in the sector of hospitality. Manager (Mr. Chhetri) was an ill -behaved person. No mannerism maintained by the staffs. Toilets needs an upgradations too. Regarding payments they have no card swipe machines which was not indicated in their website.

Amazing place with amazing staff. The place is amidst nature where you can get a 360 degree view of the entire city with royal rooms. The staff like Prewan is very responsive and helpful.

Great place to stay. Big and spaceous rooms. The staff are friendly and helpful and took care of us with a smile.food is fresh, hot and tasty, good view of Kanchenjunga from the balcony and rooms

The Manager Shilender was helpful to arrange the pickup and drop and sight seeing taxi as well, special mention to the taxi driver Rajesh as well and all staffs, thank you all for giving us a wonderful experience.

Will recommend to friends and family and will make sure to visit and stay here again

This place is a gem.if you are planning a leisure trip I would recommend atleast a day stay at this place.the rooms are spacious and has beautiful view.the twin villa is the biggest room with 2 bedrooms, 2 washrooms, a dining hall and a corridor. Other rooms are pretty big too.

But do note that this place is downhill and the road leading to the same is very very steep and narrow. Its far from mall. But if you are a big group this is a place you should not miss.

Food is just average, but at this price it's a steal.

Will definitely visit again.

It is an old heritage property but not well maintained. The rooms are huge but the beds and mattresses are very uncomfortable. Toilets need an upgrade too

Situated in Darjeeling, 10 km from Tiger Hill, Burdwan Palace (Rani Kothi) Residency features accommodation with a garden, private parking and a terrace. Among the facilities at this property are a shared kitchen and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The guest house has family rooms.

If you despartely need a hotel with car parking then I recomend it. Can be a good budget choice for a big family

This was an unpleasant experience. The staff is rude and they don’t have proper beds or heating. Calling it a palace is a joke - it’s closer to a 2 star lodge. It’s full of dust and broken furniture. Finally, they cheat the booking agencies by asking us to cancel and deduct the tax. Overall, unethical and unpleasant

Amazing experience. If you are looking for a relaxing trip with homely warmth and service, this is the place. Situated amongst nature with lots of space for idling around.

The ultimate retro luxury experience in Darjeeling. Rooms are HUGE and the place is amazing. If you can afford the expense, please try out the royal living experience.
Suggestion- Please try to improve on the kitchen part.

Happy to see Burdawan king palace. The architecture of governor's Office (Raj Bhavan) of Darjeeling was also built under the influence of this building.

Serene and peaceful. Little far from the main city. Has wonderful view of the mountains from the property. Old style charm

Scenarios are very good. The view of Kanchenjunga is amazing. Rooms are precious and very good. Service, food quality and all people attached with this hotel are very good. If someone wants to observe the different appearance of Kanchenjunga he / she can stay here.

Amazing stay at this Heritage place: Rani Kothi. Planned for a day but stayed for 3.will definitely come back again. The host was extremely courteous, Food was up to the mark. The view from every window was beautiful and mesmerising. The morning tea on cozzy bed with the view was perfect.
Would definitely suggest. At least stay for a day here.

Awesome place to stay.beautiful scenic view of Kanchanjungha.staffs are so friendly n humble. A calm place for peaceful staying.need some more maintenance for the bathrooms.

Had booked with them for a night, but it became one of the memorable stays. Their is a different feel to stay at this place.
The rooms are spacious with fireplace and antiques all around. High ceilings, well lit washroom. The room I was staying in was 202.
The manager was modest and helpful. Myself and my aunt had travelled by scooty, and when we decided to go walking to Mall at night, the Manager (Hiren ji) dropped us till Mall area by his car. This place felt like HOME.
This heritage property is also well maintained by the staffs. They serve homely made food as well.

Excellent experience. The staff is very accommodating. The fact that swami vivekananda spent some time just adds to the allure of the place along with the huge rooms with fire places.

We stayed there for two nights. It was an awesome stay. On the first day we stayed in the mountain view suite with three bedrooms and a common room on the first floor and on the second day we stayed in the double bedroom villa with two bedrooms and a common room on the ground floor. The beds had bed warmers which was very much needed to beat the cold. Antique furniture, spacious and clean rooms and bathrooms, hospitality of the staff, the ambience and the view of Kanchenjunga made our stay memorable.

This was the sixteenth time that I visited Darjeeling and the hospitality of the staff made it the most memorable one. The behaviour of Mr. Prasant Gurung, the manager, Mr. Hiren Pradhan, Manisha and her husband touched our heart. We got a homely atmosphere. We cooked, we enjoyed the barbeque on the balcony, we danced, we sang, we did everything that our heart wanted, most importantly the hosts were a part of it. Juni, the little dog is a special attraction. Our children played a lot with him. His parents are well trained guard dogs who remain chained throughout the day and are freed at night.

We were seven members in the group and travelled in our own vehicle. It's true that the approach road to the palace is not that good but once you reach there you feel like going back to the place again and again. We are thankful to Mr. Keshav who was always there for us whenever we needed to go to the mall or return back to the palace.

Best hotel ever. Very good food and very cozy rooms. Amazing and helpful staff. Very nice landlord. Amazing service

Well it depends on what kind of tourist you are, if you are looking for a peaceful ambiance with a beautiful view or you are a group of friends looking for a place to chill you should go for this.
The place is clean, good homely food and warm loving staffs, overall this place is amazing.
It's 3 kms away from the mall, but you will get plenty of cars available that will cost you 200 per ride.
Evenings are lonely and you might get an eerie feeling.
The bungalow has two wings, each side has 3 bedrooms and 2 toilets, if you are taking 2 rooms you will get one toilet and rooms are interconnected, so book your rooms accordingly.

I usually don't write reviews but for Rani kothi I had to. I was traveling with my family n 2 infants, our travel was work combined with some holidaying as I had to work children also need to enjoy their stay and it wouldn't have been possible if we stayed at some other property in darjeeling because the space n the security along with the comfortability is the best here. We stayed for 5 days initially we were welcomed as huest but we left as family.

We stayed in the villa portion of the bunglow its being so cold here temperature dropping to 2 degree the bed warmers n the heaters kept us warm. Food is served fresh n hot n also tasty home made food.

Special mention Sailendra, Manisha and Hiren ji they go the extra mile to help you to feel comfortable. They never say no for anything n always with a smile. Staying in this property will only help you get closer to the nature n also to the beautiful people of the hills. My kids also made friends to local kids prstyush n yaksh n they played their hearts out.

Don't miss staying in the property though mall road is 15 mins drive n walking 30 minutes but if one wants to stay away from the chaos of the town then it is this place.

It's a awesome bunglow.just 3 km away from Darjeeling. Staying here is an experience. In a clear day, the whole Kanchenjunga range is spectacular.

এই থাকার জায়গাটা সবার জন্য নয়। এটা ম্যাল থেকে অনেক দূর। (এখান থেকে ম্যাল ২০০ টাকা, ছোট গাড়ি)
কিন্তু যারা দুটো দিন পাহাড়ে শুধু বিশ্রামের জন্য যেতে চান তাদের জন্য ভালো।
ঘর খুব সুন্দর। তবে দেখভালে আরো একটু যত্ন নিলে ভালো হয়। এদের খাবারের মান ভালো। পরিমান ও অনেক।

The blue dome of the erstwhile Burdwan royal family's kothi in Darjeeling can be seen from nearly every conceivable place from afar. The 360° panoramic view from the dome itself of Darjeeling is truly mesmerising.

Good place to hangout before because now a hotel has come up. Area is restricted for outsiders.

Burdawan king was lived here. Now this is heritage hotel. The Bardhaman Raj is also known as Burdwan Raj was a zamindari estate that flourished from about 1657 to 1955, first under the Mughal India and then under the British India in the Bengal region.

Great Place to stay.rooms r awesome and very very big in size. U can get direct view of Kanchangangha from the hotel if weather is clear.

The hotel was so beautiful. It has a history behind the hotel. Well, I must not spoil the history so, I am just going review it.
The water taps were not working but just the water tap did work. The hot water didn't run. The rooms were so huge. The manager of the hotel was so polite and very informative. The staff of the hotel were very helpful and too informative. They could help us light the fireplace. They had been too kind enough. The hotel has 3 dogs. 2 German shepherd and a cute dog. The cute dog might follow you through the living room.
The room, where we stayed was 302. They too sent off their car to the railway to pick us up.
There is many things, that has pros in the hotel.
Loved it!

Awesome place to be the only palace which is still run by the royal family and they have also recently started the weddings there.

The approach road is a bit difficult. But the hotel itself is very nice. The interior is full of beautiful antiques

A place which will make you feel like a King/Queen of The hills.amazing Staffs special Hiren Pradhan, Prasanta Gurung and Santosh. Loved it a lot. Amazing Views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Spacious Rooms amazing Bathrooms with Warm Water always available.

Location of the hotel is not easily reachable. No information or menu even billing you wouldn't get printed. The pricing is not officially printed. We asked for a room heater they said it cost 200₹ per day, at the time of check out, there billing was ofcourse hand written and they charged 300₹ per day for the heater. Rooms were not clean, staff cannot be trusted. Rooms are all suite so it's advisable for group staying. Not recommended for winters as the rooms are very big (havelis) and rooms get very cold.

Very good place to stay in Darjeeling. Rooms are very big. Food is good but have to be order in advance. Very co-operative staffs. Very peaceful.

Firstly having stayed in several villas and a few palaces around the world I have to admit this is a gem. Despite its close proximity to the town it's absolutely secure, peaceful and tranquil with majestic views of the Himalayas the architecture and carpentry of the premise is exceptional the management and staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and culture of the land.very reasonably priced rather underpriced for such a historical monument I'd say.
I would most highly recommend this place

Aah! What shall I say! Royalty at its best! I would like to thank Dibakar, our care taker, who took care of us in such a nice way.

What an amazing stay here amidst beautiful landscape of Darjeeling but away from chaos.fabulous staffs and rich heritage of d place makes it more special than the hotels.thanks Prashant, Hiren, Diwakar n Bikash

Nice property with abysmal service, to say the least. Extremely rude and terrible behaviour by staff. Very unprofessional to the point where they cant even take proper orders. Also, rather expensive and definitely not a worthwhile experience. Would recommend any other place than this as from the behaviour point of view, the staff are the exception and not the norm.

I haven't visited this place but I saw this palce from the hotel I stayed. It is situated at the edge or bank if the hills ;) one can get clear view of the hills and kanchunzunga if the weather is not cloudy

Booking has been cancelled just before our arrival after confirmation a day before. Called us just before arrival and said it has been already booked by other guest and was not updated in the records. Pathetic

It is an excellent place to stay in Darjeeling, and it's expensive compared to other hotels and homestay.