The Glenburn Tea Estate is a mountain retreat, set in colonial-style planter’s bungalows near Darjeeling in West Bengal. Located on a mountain spur rising above the River Rungeet, it offers breathtaking views of Mount Kanchenjunga and its snow-capped massif. Started as a Scottish tea company in 1859, it passed onto one of India's prominent tea planting families, the Prakashes. Restored in 2002, it has since been regarded as one of the best luxury boutique hotels in India.
There are just 8 rooms set in two bungalows at the Glenburn Tea Estate. The Burra (Old) Bungalow houses the living room with a fireplace, a grand dining room where candle-lit dinners are held and four individually decorated rooms or suites, all with a veranda with views of the Mt Kanchenjunga massif. The Water Lily Bungalow is the new addition and comprises of four suites, a Living Room and a smaller Dining Room. It has two verandahs and garden areas laid out on two levels.
The highlight of Glenburn Tea Estate is dining in the lap of Mt Kanchenjunga. Seeing it on a clear crispy day, this world’s third highest mountain will enthral anyone who beholds its views. Revered by the Sikkimese it is indeed one of the most beautiful mountains in the Himalayas. Activities include nature walks with picnic, hiking in the surrounds or white-water rafting and fishing in Ranjeet River. Culture tour include day excursions to Darjeeling and Kalimpong or visiting nearby villages.
Amenities
24hr Room ServiceBar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaWi-Fi AvailableYoga Classes/Instruction On SiteStay The Glenburn Tea Estate has just 8 rooms and suites set in two bungalows; the Burra (Old) Bungalow and the new Water Lily Bungalow. Each bungalow hoses four rooms, each individually decorated with a different theme and furnished with antique four-poster beds draped in fine linen. All rooms have private balconies and bay windows or sit outs with direct views of the mountains. Marble bathrooms come with old-fashioned bath tubs, walk in-rain showers and quality toiletries.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at The Glenburn Tea Estate. Some suites have a separate sitting area with enough space to accommodate up to two extra guests, making it ideal for families. However, please note that guests stay here because of its peaceful environment. Babysitting service can be arranged on request.
Dine All meals and refreshments are included in the price at the Glenburn Tea Estate. Breakfast and lunch is usually served in the front veranda or in the garden. Evening meals are served in grand dining room with traditional décor in the main bungalow. Menu comprises of mainly local specialties alongside Southeast Asian favourites and some Continental options, as well as Tibetan dishes prepared with ingredients mostly grown on the estate. There is also a small bar.
Relax Facilities at the Glenburn Tea Estate include a "mini spa" room, where the guests can enjoy a full body massage in a calm ambience with soft Tibetan chanting. Foot massages and head or shoulder massages, as well as manicures and pedicures can be had indoors or outdoors so you can soak in the mountain views. Yoga, Tai Chi and meditation classes can be easily arranged.
Experience Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, Glenburn Tea Estate has plenty to offer in terms of activities. These range from birdwatching, fishing, swimming in the river to leisure walks to trekking on higher mountains. The signature Tea Plantation Tour is a good introduction to understanding how tea is produced. You can also take day excursions to Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Mirik, or visit the impressive bronze Buddha statue located on a hill opposite Glenburn.
Location The Glenburn Tea Estate is in the Kanchenjunga Himalayan foothills. It's located along the border between the states of Sikkim and West Bengal, an hour's drive from Darjeeling.
Getting there Fly into Badogra which connects with Calcutta and Guwahati in under an hour, and Delhi in two hours. Please note, on alternate days the Delhi flight stops in Guwahati. From Bagdogra airport, The Glenburn Tea Estate is a 3-hour drive following the River Teesta.
When to go Darjeeling has a moderate climate with all five distinct seasons in a year. Summers (April to June) are mild, Monsoons (July to August) are accompanied with intense torrential rain causing roadblocks. Autumn (September to November) can have intermittent showers and Darjeeling looks marvellous during this period and the average temp in Winters (December to January) range of 5 °C to 7 °C. Best season to visit Darjeeling is from September to June.
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North-Eastern, India
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