Windamere Hotel

"Home away from home" this suites best for windamere hotel darjeeling had stayed there with family friendly staff the service was very good staff cooperation was best and a warm fireplace lit in the room everything was best in windamere hotel the mahakal temple was very closely accessable loved my experience. THANK YOU WINDAMERE FOR MAKING ME FEEL HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

Our plan was to stay for two days but considering their attitude and unprofessional behaviour had to curtail our stay for one day only. I was told that they have a staff strength of 60-70 personnel but everyone vanishes in night except a guard. Nobody attends the phone (landline or mobile) and worse management is not bothered even when only two rooms were occupied on 31st. For a hotel which charges 12000 rupees for a single night, you expect a lot more hospitality than they offer. Food is very basic with strict timings. Not a happy experience.

I booked a double room with King size bed but provided with a twin room. I still gave the hotel a benefit of doubt because they said it was done by the third party. The bigger disappointment came up when I received a notice of parking fee charge to pay 90 pound. I was never informed by the hotel staff regarding parking fees and they did not confirm if I have paid the parking fees when I checked out. After more than 2 weeks of check out they sent me a notice for parking charge.highly disappointed with such behavior by the hotel staff.

A true Heritage hotel. I have stayed in Windamere twice. It is a bliss! Scenic beauty, food, service and the staff are excellent! Thank you so much for a wonderful stay.

This is just adjacent to Mall situated on Darjeeling's observatory hill.
No other hotel has better view of Mall than this. A Colonial hotel and if you want to soak into Victorian life, that's the right place. It has preserved its old-world charms resisting the march of modern standardisation but then it has its negative side as well in terms of room facilities as it completely lacks any modernization of washrooms, electric fittings etc. You would hardly get a plug points in rooms which are essential now as all of us travels with multiple electronic gadgets. Pillows could have been much better as they charge premium. They could have modernised the bathroom fittings, I was struggling to mix hot and cold water. One have to step into bath tub for a shower. People with short height will surely find difficulty.
Post COVID they have now set menus are very limited choice, mostly typical north indian foods. I was surprised to hear from resident manager that they have mostly Indian guest post COVID, and food menu was changed based on their demands! Not sure why should I have kadai panner at Windermere and not continental. Breakfast is good but nothing great.
The extra cot was meant for a child only and if third person is adult you will surely find uncomfortable.
Overall it's not value for money as they charge very premium price. You will find Bollywood celebrities photos there as they stayed. In fact kareena Kapoor stayed in same room that we been to. But don't fall into it unless you really want to stay in Victorian hotel.

Overall my experience was not good. I was in Colonial Suites. There was a discomfort inside the old heritage room having vintage fixtures which were really not jelling with basic my requirement. Insufficient plug points to work on e gadgets. Moreover these expensive room don't have the basic amenities. No TV, no regular warm water, very old dirty carpets, poor door locking system most of the not functions properly. Most importantly there is no separate place to bath other than bath tub, which is smaller very risky for a aged person & for anyone so to say. We found the graviard inside the hotel premises. Somehow night stay specially in Colonial Suites was not comfortable at all.

Date of Stay- 11 Aug-14 Aug
Rooms- Autumn/September Song
The view from the hotel is unparalleled. It is just overlooking Darjeeling Mall and one can enjoy the activities going on there right from the comfort of the hotel. In addition to that the view of the Darjeeling hills one can get out from this place is stunning! Mornings with a cup of tea and the Windamere garden is the perfect combination.

Service was really good as well and the staff were courteous and professional. They were ready to help with a smile on their face!

Room was well kept and clean. The fireplace in the rooms is a nice touch in the cool Darjeeling weather. Just one feedback for these rooms- the washroom floors are really slippery and probably needs different tiles. It may lead to accidents.

Food was good, albeit my personal take is that the 5 course meals offered could be a bit refined and be made not a mix of Indian and Continental in the same 5 courses.

Another best hotel in the heart of Darjeeling THE MALL chowrasta has a great view of the nature

This is not a hotel this is a time machine, it will just transport you back to about 200 years and give a good glimpse of the British Raj era.

Every aspect of the hotel is conserved and protected against time. History speaks through every inch of this hotel. Nestled on the chaotic Mal Road this hotel still provides you with the serenity you desire.

One, of the most spectacular experience in the hotel is their candle light dinner, they have a fixed menu and the menu changed everyday, the taste of the food is truly exquisite, one of the best in Darjeeling if I may say so and desserts here are nothing like it.

If you want to truly experience the culture and heritage of the Darjeeling hills. This is the hotel to stay in. It is truly a destination in itself.

Location is good but everything else is pathetic. Colonial experience? Well yes: Management treats you exactly the way britshers would have treated Indians in colonial era.

No on request service. Moulds in rooms walls. Water issues.

I am a driver and we bring tourists We come from outside and the hotel does not allow us to sleep in our car at night

Bad experience. Water problem. Management does not own any responsibility. Definitey not worth the price.

British charm, eh, yes, with plaster going off in room, plumbing issues, no restaurant or food or any service after 10 pm.

This is a Haunted Hotel. I visited this hotel with my entire family approx 20 people and it was a huge disappointment. The staff doesn’t even bother to help you. This place is haunted, everyone of us got the experience and even the people who stayed beside our room said the same. Never visit this holiday specially if you have kids along it’s very unsafe place

Windamere is more of the show and name but fails in delivering quality. We stayed for 2N/3D for 4 rooms and it was the worst experience in so many years.
Verdict: Good for 6k-8k per night at max per room, if food is included in that price.
At anything at or above 8,001/- per room per night - never ever book it.
What's good?
- To be fair, food and beverages are great. This is the only department where Windamere does a decent job, albeit with two caveats: One, there is no restaurant services available. If you are hungry at 4 PM, you are out of luck as you will not get anything. Two, The customization options are very limited - you cannot just ask for a dosa or idli - they may even say yes but they will never prepare it.
- Walking distance from Chaurasta is a good thing to have. You can just walk in Chaurasta after daily sight-seeing, go to Glenary's etc. Note that Keventers closes early at 7.
. And then there are all the other stuffs!
- Management and Planning is just pathetic. There is no one to manage any medical emergencies or other issues after say 10 or 11 PM. For anything guard will directly tell you that it is not his responsibility and he cannot connect with manager. (video recordings available if management contests)
- Poor plumbing, facilities - for everything they have one excuse - heritage thing. Wonder why they don't charge heritage rates also then, eh? Like 50/- per night? Even in our old buildings, government offices we maintain - here, they just don't. (see in pics)
- Basic cleanliness - so while we absolutely have no complaints on bed sheets and towels, the carpets etc.are really old. Wonder if they can better replace them with a cheaper variety, but then management is good for nothing.
- Issues unheard of in any decent hotel - There was no water - none at all from 2 am in the night to 9 am in the morning, with no one from management to even heed to the issue till 7 or 8 am. The lovely thing: the foreigner owner, who is good for nothing but sweet talks did not show her face even once to own the responsibility or resolve the issue.
- Other minor things and why I would not suggest anyone to pay 1 penny above 8k even if it was the last hotel in Darjeeling: There is absolutely NO PLANNING, NO MANAGEMENT. In some rooms there is no intercom citing 'heritage' but then some other rooms have it! Some rooms have bathtub which shall better be called 'big buckets'. Hair dryers are also available or missing as per the hotel's whims.
Will upload video recordings and pics if hotel management contests any points above.

Windamare is one of my favorite hotels I've ever stayed in; the location is ideal, the service is excellent, and the colonial architecture is a sight to behold. The view from the observatory is spectacular.

The Best hotel of Darjeeling.

A colonial hotel of India. In the Himalayas
Period

It's pretty no doubt.
Took cottage Mary La
There is no fixed menu here.it changes every day.
Experience wise too good.decor too good.

Windamere had a charm of its own. It is centrally located just at the beginning of the mall and a 2 minute walk to Keventers or Glenary. It was cold but our fireplace was lit every night and it gave the room a cozy feel. The hotel sits on a huge property with a lot of potential so it would do well with a bit of a makeover. The food services/menu could be improved too.

Me and my wife recently stayed in Windamere and had wonderful experience. The staff was very helpful and the services were excellent. The room given was as per our satisfaction. Particularly we liked the breakfast menu, the way the breakfast was served to the table and quality of food. The tea was so tasty that one shd try it number of times. I have travelled many 5 star hotels in India and world, have never experienced such friendly staff. Good Job Windamere!

Very disappointed with Windarmere. On 25th Dec. 21 right from early morning no water for hours. Staff clueless. Food very average. Christmas dinner a huge dissapointment. This is far from the old time Windarmere. Strongly suggest avoid staying. We will never come back. It's a waste of a holiday and money.

They have got stuck into the British period, it's good that they have maintained it but it's too much of that time
Food is very horrible

Right from the start it seemed like the hotel was out to perpetrate a fraud upon us. They insisted on giving us rooms different from the ones we had chosen on booking.com, they refused to even entertain a plea to give us rooms closer to the dining room to facilitate my old parents' access to it, and despite booking.com assuring us that the check out time is between noon and half past, they, especially the British mistress shoved us out at 11, saying they didn't care about their reputation with the likes of us! Choose wisely, therefore.

Windamare is one of my favorite hotel I have stayed so far, the location is spot on, the service is extremely good, the colonial architecture is absolutely treat. The view from observatory is exceptional.

One of my favourite stays. Windamere is located on the observatory hill which makes it the perfect location and the property is absolutely beautiful. The hospitality of the staff was amazing and I wish to visit soon again.

Beautiful rooms with excellent food and service. Very old property but maintenance is very good. Staffs are groomed well.

Me and my husband spend three January nights in this beautiful heritage hotel of Darjeeling.
The hotel offers a special Colonial experience in a special environment. Hats off to this place for maintaining its period beauty & charm.
Everything was just awesome; the food, staff, location and the beautiful Colonial environment.
The town of Darjeeling has a lovely Mall road with many eateries. Special mention to Mamta Pizza Place, which is run by Lawrence, a French restaurateur. This is a cute small, very clean joint with yum pizzas and pastas.
Many thanks to Elisabeth & Shubhana for their outstanding hospitality!

I absolutely loved my stay here! I was there for 4 days, and the service, amicability and comfort levels were spot on! Front Office was very prompt as well as Kitchen and others. Cleanliness, politeness and extreme levels of flexibility of the staff as well as spacious and comfy beds and clean linen makes me recommend Windamere Hotel to anyone!

Several times called for reservations but they never gave proper reply.called them around 5 times but they not co operative at all.
Actually they loves only dollar and pounds!
Personally did not expect such behaviour from this property.

Known for their hospitality, if you are planning a trip to Darjeeling, it is the must go place!

7/18/2020
Put the bed back to relax and saw a bed bug the maintenance told me it was not after I showed them pictures. Continue to argue with me. Gave me dirty looks and unwelcoming presence. Got to the front to ask for a refund told me there’s no manager on site the phone number to call. Horrible Service. I do not recommend this hotel.

Windamere Hotel is truly a beautiful Hotel located on Observatory Hill and access is from the Mall road. It is just above the Mall (Chowrasta) and a minute walk from there. If we go back to the history, Windamere used to be a boarding house for the British tea planters in the 1800s. The young British planters needed a nice place to stay while they were away from home. The original building and the property was then called the Ad Villa. Windamere Hotel was also part of the World's Best Colonial Hotels as listed by The Sunday Times, London in the year 2007.  

They have a total of about 40 rooms that are scattered in several houses, cottages and colonial suites. Interestingly, they have no numbers, rather names. Each room comes with cable TV and a seating are with sofa. Rooms have a private bathroom. The rooms overlook the garden. There is a lush green garden at the property. A well-equipped meeting/banqueting space is available.

Windamere Hotel is a paradise for the honeymooners as there are exclusive honeymoon cottages and suites that are at their romantic best. These accommodations can be ideal even for a couple or a family looking for privacy in a serene colonial atmosphere coupled with lovely views of the Eastern Himalayas. The comfortable rooms, fireplaces and hot-water bottles provide just the right measure of comfort and mothballed charm.

Also, the dining in this beautiful hotel is in itself a special experience which is served by waiters who dress up in attire of the Raj era. The Continental and Indian food here is special, and the dining room is fabulous.

Z'ri Gifts and Souvenir  is a small boutique shop located at a corner below the car park and stacked with different kinds of exquisite curios, jewelry, shawls, perfumes, ladies handbags, crafts etc.

Wonderful hotel which will take you back to the vintage era. The food and the service both are perfect.