Windamere Hotel - A Colonial Heritage

I booked this property for my honeymoon and it was a great decision the hotel has a colonial feel and a peaceful aura there are two restaurants in the hotel but one must enjoy the candle light dinner it’s a must the staffs are very kind and helpful they will fulfill all your requirements. The spa is also very good.The food is delicious and the continental cuisine is the main show stopper. There are a lot of gardens in the property so you can enjoy the nature as well,I would like to come here again in the future as there is no hotel in Darjeeling like this. Kudos to the whole windamere team. Thank you see you soon. 😊

We had a great stay in this very special hotel, overlooking the Darjeeling Mall, the heart of the town. The property is carefully maintained to retain its colonial feel. The staffs are courteous and the chef makes wonderful food. Overall, a wonderful experience.

Upon entry we noticed 2 hairs on towels and bed linens. An hour later at lunch we noticed another on the napkin. TV remote didn't work. Within 2 hours of being here we experienced load shedding. As others have noted there is a difference between quaint and un-kept up. Having stayed in numerous properties far older than this which can find a way to both have modern amenities without ruining character, I can only assume this is due to how tight-fisted the management is.||On to the service: there was a large party staying who initially were having dinner outside but due to weather decided to move inside. This meant ALL public areas were off limit. That meant the only dining option was room service. My sister and I wanted to get a drink and go to lounge. We were told to sit in reception. Unthinkable being asked this in a western or actual 4 star hotel. At this point you expect comped drinks or a discount. What are we paying for?

The best old colonial hotel ever! Yes it needs a bit of TLC but everything about it elicits charm! From the staff that go the extra mile, the fires in the bedrooms and the hot water bottles to the delicious food (far too much of it) what more can anyone ever want? Delightful…

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling, and I cannot express enough how impressed I was with their exceptional service. My elderly mother, who has mobility challenges, was treated with the utmost care and respect throughout our stay. From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to ensure her comfort. They promptly provided a wheelchair for her use, which was a great relief. But what truly stood out was the dedication of two of their butlers. They not only assisted with the wheelchair but also took it upon themselves to push her up and down the steep hill to visit the Mahakali Temple. This level of service and compassion is rare and deeply appreciated. The hotel's manager and the entire management team deserve special recognition. They honored our original booking deposit from May 2020, which we had to abandon due to the Covid pandemic. This gesture allowed my mother to visit Darjeeling after 55 years, for which I am incredibly thankful. The F&B/Restaurant supervisor and the housekeeping staff were equally commendable, ensuring that every aspect of our stay was comfortable and enjoyable. Additionally, the staff's prompt attention and service when my father experienced a sudden headspin and fall were truly remarkable. Their quick response and care made a significant difference in a stressful situation. The Windamere Hotel's commitment to making our stay enjoyable and stress-free was evident in every interaction. The staff's kindness, professionalism, and willingness to go the extra mile made our visit to Darjeeling truly memorable. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone, especially those traveling with elderly or mobility-challenged family members. Thank you, Windamere Hotel, for your outstanding hospitality!

The Windermere’s central location, 1930s feel and marvellous views cannot be equalled. No complaints about food or service but it crosses the line between “Heritage” and run-down. We were given a dark room immediately above reception and the kitchen. Many of the furnishings looked original = threadbare, lighting was dim and it was noisy from below in the evening and early evening. Plumbing was also to 1930s standard. I suggest that the hotel is riding in its reputation. Having said all that, others in my group had a slightly better experience but, as tour manager I won’t be taking other groups there.

I understand that it’s a heritage hotel and is meant to have an old-world charm, but there’s a fine line between vintage appeal and neglect. The owners really need to put some effort into maintaining the property. We stayed in the Hill Charm Cottage for two nights, and honestly, there was nothing charming about the room. The TV was broken, with a line running right through the middle. While it may not seem like a huge deal, a well-known heritage hotel charging premium prices should at least uphold its standards. The bathtub was peeling and looked more like a dirty sink, draining water quickly despite the bath plug, which made it impossible to enjoy a proper bath. The breakfast buffet was also disappointing, with only about ten items available, including just two types of fruit, toast, and French toast. On a positive note, the newly opened restaurant is aesthetically pleasing, has a great view, and the food was enjoyable. While I wasn’t happy with the property itself, I must say the staff were very sweet and helpful, which was a nice touch.

My wife and I stayed here for two nights recently and despite weather playing hide and seek ,typical of Darjeeling, we had a wonderful time. They had allotted us a room in the new block from where we could get a wide angle lens view of the Chowrastha just relaxing in our room sipping our hot cup of tea and munching on otherwise avoidable snacks! Every staff member whether in housekeeping,front desk or dining room, have to be commended for their courtesy and helpful nature. What we particularly enjoyed was having our bedroom fireplace lit up for the night...imagine such a mind boggling experience when most of India is reeling in a heatwave! BTW,our second stay in Windamere. Here's to hoping for more,God willing.