The English Cottage Darjeeling

If you’re one of those who are fast learning to shun the “let’s go to Italy in August” tourism traps
&
Are tired of making those 8 hrs + to & fro airline laps

Or

someone who just wants to get away from the paps
Then this place is going to get you to heaven and you won’t even need flaps

First we’ve got to shunt you to Darjeeling
Before that we’ve got to get you to shrug that “been there done that” feeling

Once your past that first hurdle
Followed by the last Kurseong to Darjeeling narrow mountain road congestion muddle
Your going to find yourself in a space time bubble
With naked eye views of Kanchendzonga, for which you don’t need a Hubble

The English, The Sherpas or The Sikkimese? & who really invented Darjeeling, - a beautiful history and all very relevant
As to who reinvented it? Like the crystal clear views it offers, is very evident

Shalla and the late Austen Plant
Back in the day they built an alpine abode with a “stairway to heaven” - an ode to Led Zeppelin & Robert Plant

They prove what one can really do when you shun your Cant’s and stick with the Cans
To me they are the Last of the Mohicans

Managed today on behalf of Shalla by Sharon & Jaxs
A Loreto & St. Paul combo that firmly puts Darj & it’s proverbial Toy Train back on the tracks

Welcome to THE ENGLISH COTTAGE
From where you can both kill or peak your wattage

Vistas at Dawn from their decks will most certainly make you go “my oh my”
This has to be the one place in “accessible”high altitude India where you don’t have to bother with the heat index or AQI

Followed by a home made breakfast the best in town
Following which we chose to hike & study the incredible history of the Sherpas & the Crown

Hikes like these pump up both cognition & endurance
No other place in India awards you with their confluence

Either that or you can chose to saunter around The MALL
Nothing comes close the DARJ in the FALL

The hosts can hook you with the best Sherpa Guide
Who heightens your hike mood with his Sherpa humor and well deserved pride

Do visit the Zoo & the HMI
A tribute to the best mountaineers without whom even the best wouldn’t make it to scale the peaks or even Try

THE ENGLISH COTTAGE commands views over arguably Darj’s best location
Think of your visit there as a part of life’s must do journeys as much as a vacation

The World is fast running out of Rare Earths and whatever’s left China seems to have got ‘em
THE ENGLISH COTTAGE is the rarest of rare earth finds & Darjeeling’s true GEM

- Anita & Hamish Shahani

We had a wonderful stay, the owners & the staff were very kind, proactive and helpful. Great quality breakfast was served & room cleaning services was perfect too. Highly recommended for families, couples and friends who want to visit Darjeeling & stay in a cozy place with amazing facilities

There are places you leave your heart behind. The English Cottage in Darjeeling is one such place. We spent 3 nights in this idyllic B&B, nestled in the quiet part of a very busy but beautiful town of Darjeeling. Strategically located- with the Mall being 5 to 10 minutes walking distance away, with an uninterrupted view of the mighty Himalayas, Kangchenjunga included, we spent most of our time idling in the deck, admiring the snow capped mountains in the horizon and the clouds rolling in the valley below.
The rooms are impeccably designed, with a breathtaking view, and the breakfast is sumptuous, served with love. Mrs Plant, Sharon and Jaxs - the owners of the B&B are gracious hosts, who welcome the guests to their home and hearts with love and warmth. Feels like staying with friends and family.
Recommended 1000%.

Staff was polite & courteous, quick in service. Enjoyed the hospitality of the caring owner.
Wish could get facility of home cooked meal rather than ordering from outside, particularly at night.

Fantastic experience. The room we stayed in was fabulously located with stunning views. The cottage is exceedingly pretty and evokes an old world charm. It's quiet, secluded and comfortable.

A lovely weekend getaway! The host was very helpful with great recommendations for the area and coordinating transportation. Enjoyed the breakfast and milk tea. The views of the mountains are unparalleled.

We arrived at the English Cottage in the evening to a magical lit place i was astonished by its beauty and charm. Waking up early every day to witness the grandiose of Mt. Kanchenjunga or the mist rolling into the valley or the beautiful flowers and birds was breathtaking. The villa itself is an opulent masterpiece. Attention to detail was magnificent if you are not admiring nature you can spend time admiring the cottage.
Breakfast was scrumptious. It was amazing. Each day we were served something different. Once you stay here any other hotel or home stay will be substandard. Sharon and Sanjeev take a bow! You are the best host ever. Loved each moment we spent there & looking forward to many more holidays at the English Cottage.

Such a fantastic location and a lovely home. The rooms are beautifully styled and thoughtfully designed. There are plenty of little nooks and corners to drink tea/read a book. The hosts are so lovely and hospitable. The breakfasts are sumptuous and there was something different every day. We would highly recommend this as a place to stay in Darjeeling!

Right from our check-in to check-out, Sanjeev and Sharon played as immaculate hosts. I was in touch with the owner, Sanjeev way before our trip and he guided me through all the elements of sight seeing and queries related to our stay at the English Cottage to the best of his abilities. I would say that the two bedroom suite was wonderful, and the design and make of the structure stands out as imperial, and different from other homestays. The location is superb, away from the hustle and bustle of the mall road and yet so close to chowrasta, the main market in Darjeeling.
They have a good breakfast spread and the food is delicious. On good days when the sky is clear, you have an uninterrupted view of the Kangchenjunga range from their sky deck, and witnessing the sun rise over the range is a sight to behold.
Today as more and more people are preferring homestays over luxurious hotels to deep dive into the local culture and the lifestyles of the natives, this homestay, I would say was one of the best we have experienced so far.

Truly a Home away from Home. Our hosts Sharon and Sanjeev took great care of us and provided us with the best of everything for an awesome stay at darjeeling for a whole week. Amazing people and an amazing place.

Beautiful place thoughtfully done. Every corner of the house is filled with collectibles and curios. Shows years of love that has gone into putting the place together. What more best views on the exterior are added plus to the cottage.

Morning views are stunning and worth getting up at 4: 30 am! Sanjeev and his wife had been really helpful in guiding about Darjeeling.

Want to go back to the place again:)

By far best view of Darjeeling. Highly recommend place with excellent home hospitality service.
Don’t look further, you will love it!

We are group of 13. Got the whole place by ourselves. Perfect view, vibe and facilities. One of most beautiful accommodation I came across in India. Owner is really friendly and took best care of us. Definitely an excellent choice.

I looooooves my stay here especially the hosts. They made me feel like they r my host parents. Spectacular view, great service, and rooms. What more can you ask for. After my phalut trek, this cottage made me feel like im so lucky to be alive! The hot shower, warm water bum gun, electric heater, and warm bed!

Their cottage is a luxury and very loving. I loved it; i even thought of bringing my mom here to relax. Their books, lassi, food, settings of the rooms make u never wanna leave.

Location is also very good, so close to the walking street.

Rooms at the property are not maintained so well given the rates being charged to guests for a homestay. Washrooms are having water flow issues. Additionally if you plan to visit in Winters please be aware that heaters in the room are not capable of being run for long duration on Inverter/Generator so incase of power failures, be prepared accordingly.

This is a rare gem. The rooms are as good as a 5 star hotel with the warmth of a home. Everything in the cottage was laid out thoughtfully and the hosts went out of their way to make sure our stay and our journey back was comfortable. You guys are amazing. Thank you!

Awesome property- painstakingly made perfect for a memorable stay. And hospitality of Sanjiv and Sharon is the icing on the cake. If you are in Darjeeling, The English Cottage is the place to check out for if you love nature, good breakfast spread, soothing music and lots of adda.

Nice and quaint place to stay, with great views of Kanchenjunga mountain range and city views.we had a great time with lovely breakfast and warm hospitality by Jaiswals.

Sharon has to be loveliest host I have ever met. We were a group of 6 people who traveled for 4 days and all we wanted to do was spend time in nature, and relax. I had some of the best food I have eaten in a long long time and each day the breakfast was unique with all of us getting to try unique dishes that we had never had before. I couldn’t have asked for a better vacation and a better place to spend it at.

Excellent property. I stayed here after a long trekking in Darjeeling area. The host made me feel like home with such a great hospitality.

One of the best location, my mom & aunt went & they just took care of everything. Gave my parents a free upgrade for the first day, they are overjoyed. Amazing location, breakfast and moreover the homely atmosphere. Mr Sanjeev is the go to man. Waiting to visit the place personally now.

The best in Darjeeling, you can see the mountain from here, owner are very nice and friendly, There are about 5 rooms that can fit up to 13 ppl i think. Each room has its own bathroom and toilet. After the long day trekking this place is heaven on Earth. Haha

Excellent property and impeccable hospitality. My first time experience of a home stay and it got me thinking why I wasted my previous stays in hotels paying a fortune for substandard services. The breakfast was what I used to look forward to. It was simply delicious. The hosts were always there detecting and providing your extra requirements immediately. Individualization at its best. Definitely not expected from a hotel. Will definitely go back. Highly recommended.

My time at The English Cottage was spectacular in so many ways. The warm welcome, the attention to detail in the room down to perfection, the hospitality of our host and the feeling you get that “good enough” isn’t enough.

Add to this of course the icing on the cake is the absolutely breath taking views of the mountains from every angle. Waking up each morning with the feeling you’re in heaven with nothing between you and the mountain peaks except a carpet made of fluffy white clouds which later opens like a curtain revealing the valley below. Spectacular!

I cannot recommend The English Cottage enough - It’s definitely somewhere I will be returning to and you would too, once you experience it. Unforgettable!