Kalimpong Hotels

The Silver Oaks Hotel - Luxury Hotels in Kalimpong, India

  Lounging in the landscaped gardens in a profusion of colour, one is treated to breathtaking view at the Silver Oaks, Kalimpong. The natural dйcor is characteristic in the imposing Kanchenjungha which can be seen on a clear day, blooming petunias and asters, the serrated violet edges of iris, iridescent butterflies flitting through colourful azaleas, drooping geraniums, proud orchids and heaven, temporarily descends on earth. Sitting in one of the quaint gazebos, the tea seems to be flavoured by the refreshing winds of the Himalayas. The Silver Oaks was built in 1930 and once belonged to the prominent architect Frederick Desraj who built the old Teesta Bridge.

Service is personalized and available round the clock. High tea with cakes and cookies is served in the tea lounge or in the garden. Replete with candle light dinners and tunes from the piano, the multi cuisine restaurant can make any evening memorable. The Oak Bar offers the choicest of cocktails and snacks and you can also lose yourself in the well-stocked library in the evenings.

The Silver Oaks is reminiscent of the British Raj with chamber maids in frilled checked Aprons, the hot water bags in your bed and the bed tea served with tea cozies and cookies. The teak, oak floorboards and watercolours and lithographs by the masters reflect the opulence of the old times.

All the bedrooms are bright and sunny with a magnificent view of the Mountains and landscaped gardens.

In the early days of the last century the hotel was the family home of David Macdonald. After accompanying the Younghusband Mission to Lhasa in 1904 as interpreter, Macdonald was posted to Tibet as a British Trade Agent, serving in Yatung and Gyantse until his retirement in 1924. Macdonald assisted the 13th Dalai Lama's escape from Tibet in 1910, and he was later invited to Lhasa in 1921. Prior to his retirement he served briefly as Britain's Political Officer in Sikkim, in charge of Britain's relations with Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim.

After he retired, with his large family grown up, Macdonald turned the family home into a Hotel, and it has remained in the Macdonald family ever since. It was here that he wrote his books "Land of the Lama" and "Twenty Years in Tibet". For many years it was managed by Macdonald's three eldest daughters, Annie Perry, whose husband also served in Tibet, Vera Macdonald and Vicky Williams. Today it is managed by Nilam and Tim Macdonald, David Macdonald's grandson. They have ensured it remains, in the words of the distinguished travel writer James Cameron, "a collector's piece among hotels" and that little has changed since, except perhaps with the addition of two annexes, to cater to the growing influx of travellers. Cameron wrote, "this is a commonplace name for a most exceptional place... no one was there an hour in the inescapable community life of the place". It is a hotel of real charm and character, with an atmosphere redolent of its close association with Himalayan history.

The great names of the region have all been guests here. It has been home to Everest expeditions from the days of Mallory and Irving in the 1920's. Hillary and Tenzing were frequent visitors, while it has also played host to Mme Alexandra David-Neel, Charles Bell, and many of the other British officials who travelled to Tibet in the first half of the twentieth century, as well to other Tibetologists such as Prince Peter of Greece, Rinchen Dolma Taring, authoress of "Daughter of Tibet", Dr. Joseph Rock, Heinrich Harrer, author of "Seven Years in Tibet", Sir Basil Gould, formerly Political Officer, Sikkim, and James Cameron, author "Point of Departure".

 Bagdogra Airport. Bagdogra is 50 minutes flying time from Kolkata (Calcutta), 2 hours flying time from New Delhi and 2 1/2 hours by car from Kalimpong. Darjeeling is 2 1/2 hours by car and Gangtok in Sikkim is 3 hours by car from Kalimpong.

The cuisine is Indian, European with Tibetan and Local Gorkha dishes on request.

16 rooms, most with their own fire-places, attached bathrooms with running hot and cold water, fitted with showers.

8.5 Miles is where you will find us, just 800 meters before the Hustle and Bustle of the Market area set amidst Nature with a breath taking view, on the sunniest part of the Hills. For What Ever you have in mind you cant be better Located. Near to all the site seeing interests. Laze on the rolling Lawns and Gardens or just admire the Glory of the mighty Mt. Kanchenjunga from the Restaurant, Balconies or Lawns. Let the Children get naughty on the Outdoor Play Area, swings and slides.

The Room with a View, serves up Indian, Tandoori, Chinese, Continental, Nepalease, Bengali cuisine with a generous helping of great views of the Himalayas, Sikkim and the Teesta Valley. Making your Dining more of an Experience. It has a seating Capacity of 45 pax

Sood's Garden Retreat have 11 well appointed ,comfortable rooms, spread across the property, the view facing room which are the Apartment and Superior Front Rooms open to a gorgeous views of the Himalayas , nearby hills of Sikkim and Kalimpong town. Step out and you are on the lush green lawns. The Standard rooms ,however are non view facing. All The rooms have Wall to wall carpeting, Color Cable television, Phones and have attached Western Style with bathrooms Tiled and Marbled with Hot 'n' Cold Running Water.

Welcome to Kalimpong, where, now you fell and enjoy the freshness and real beauty of the lush green hill by spending your few hours at Hotel Tres.

Philosophically, The Hotel Tres lies at the crossroads of elegance and comfort. The building blends old and new, aesthetically pairing a new modest structure with an old cottage. Superbly located in Kalimpong offers a portrait of the hill station few will ever forget. Kalimpong is a beautiful place blessed with flowers and a pleasant weather all year round.
 
Pure unadulterated indulgence. The hotel's suite puts two elegant rooms at your disposal. The cottage itself was constructed in the British era with interiors and exterior with vintage look. Allow yourself the privilege and opportunity to spend your holidays in one of the heritage cottages of this Himalayan region in the same manner and style that the Britishers spent theirs.

At your pleasure, enjoy room service and a hearty breakfast buffet, fruit and other hot and cold items. Wind down or get started with a light snack and enjoy the delicious Indian, Chinese, Continental and local, food promptly served at the restaurant.

All rooms are twin, double bedded with a cozy Executive Suite. All rooms offer attached western type bathrooms, telephone, 24 hours Cable Television, running hot and cold water, wardrobe, room heating system, bathroom amenities, emergency medical first aid and prompt room service.

THE hotel will also provide swimming, White River rafting and arrange local site seen for the convenience of the guest. The hotel have specious onside parking slot.

At your pleasure, enjoy room service and a hearty breakfast buffet, fruit and other hot and cold items.

A special place for those who appreciate nature Tucked away in the lap of nature in the remote mountains, 80 Kms from Kalimpong, The SAMTHAR FARM HOUSE is a unique getaway - an intimate Wilderness Eco Lodge, offering tranquility, and one of the finest views of Khangchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world. It is ideal for nature lovers, honeymooners, and those seeking unusual places

The Samthar Plateau stands amidst an arc of hills 1600 Meters in elevation, topped with thick forests, enclosing, a number of interlocking valleys, which descend, in gently layered terraces, to the swift flowing, cascading Samthar River. There are ridges of forests, with an incredible variety of flora, wild flowers and orchids. Picture post card homesteads, with thatched roofs, dot the landscape. Framing this picture are the mighty snowcaps, ranged in a northwesterly arc. Every single Peak, from Khangchendzonga, the third highest in the world, to Sinolchu, Paunhari and the passes of Chola, Natula and Jalepla - the ancient trade routes to Tibet, are visible.

The SAMTHAR FARM HOUSE been created by converting an abondoned Lepcha Farmhouse into a deluxe country residence, by Retired Indian Army General "Jimmy" Singh. Its natural stone and old timber construction has been preserved. The house nestles in a clump of pines, with a terraced nature garden rising to the rocky outcrop at the top of the hill. The natural landscape has been retained. The view rivals Tiger Hill (near Darjeeling). Sunrise and sunset views can simply be described as breathtaking.

• From Kalimpong: Drive by jeep in 04 hours visiting enroute Lava Monastery, Virgin forests, and Lolegaon Heritage Forest, with tree walk. Or make it a drive cum hike and take the whole day with picnic lunch enroute. If you choose this option you get to Hike through the Git Valley and forests for 04 hours in two spells.
• From Kalimpong: Trek to the Farmhouse through the Rilli Valley in 06 hrs with picnic lunch enroute.
• From Bagdogra Airport/New Jalpaiguri Railway Station: Drive by jeep to the Farm house in 05 hrs.
  

When you depart from the Farmhouse, you can drive by jeep to Kalimpong, Siliguri, Bagdogra or NJP, or hike down to the Teesta, cross the river by ropeway, and then drive to Kalimpong, Silguri, Bagdogra, NJP, Darjeeling, or Sikkim. The last alternative is to hike to Kalimpong via the Rilli Valley. Which ever option you choose, we will be happy to make all your arrangements, for jeep, guides, and porters.

The staff is locally recruited and trained in-house, to cater for the brand of spontaneous personalized service. The kitchen turns out home cooked meals. Menus have been researched from Indian, Western, Chinese, Tibetan, and Nepalese recipes, to provide truly interactive cuisine. The table service is immaculate, and candle lit dinners are a part of the dining experience.

The house has a unique ambience, which is hard to describe. It offers just two double Heritage guestrooms in the original Farmhouse. A cottage with two guestrooms, and ethnic huts, provide additional four double rooms. Modern toilets and plumbing has been provided.

Gurudongma House is located 3 kms from Kalimpong town center, away from the pollution, and noise of the town, in the exclusive hilltop locality. The house commands breathtaking views of the panorama of snows, dominated by Khangchendzonga – the third highest peak in the world.

This is not a hotel but a home, providing exclusive hospitality. Paying guests are personally hosted by the General, and are cared for by trained ethnic staffs, which provide spontaneous personalized service. The house offers just four guestrooms.

The kitchen serves home cooked food, presented with elegance.Carefully researched interactive cuisine comprises a blend of Indian, Nepali, Chinese, Sikkimese, and western recipes. The food preparation, do take into account, to the extent possible the preferences of the guests, as to the degree of spices, herbs and flavors to be added. The table service strives to be immaculate and graceful. Interesting conversation, is a part of all meals.

The kitchen serves home cooked food, presented with elegance. Gurudongma House carefully researched interactive cuisine comprises a blend of Indian, Nepali, Chinese, Sikkimese, and western recipes. The food preparation, do take into account, to the extent possible the preferences of the guests, as to the degree of spices, herbs and flavors to be added. The table service strives to be immaculate and graceful. Interesting conversation, is a part of all meals.

This is not a hotel but the home, of retired Indian Army General "Jimmy" Singh. It providing exclusive hospitality. Paying guests are welcome by invitation, and prior reservation. Guests are cared for by trained ethnic staffs, which provide spontaneous personalized service.

HOLUMBA facing Mount. Kanchenjunga is a 2 acres natural landscaped botanical extravangenza, water fed by a natural spring, inhabited by a flora population over 1000 species of orchids, plants & trees, and conveniently located on the main highway,a kilometre ahead of Kalimpong town having own car park & garages. (The Ven. Bikchu Sangharakshita lived in "The Hermitage" (Magnolia) and refers to it as his Garden of Eden.)

HOLUMBA offers the nature loving tourists an expansive orchid nursery :-"Nurseryman's Haven", world wide exporter since 1972 - specialist in Indo- Burmese orchids & Himalayan & Exotic - bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, plants, & seeds.

HOLUMBA offers the tired travellers, a quiet rest in quaint & affordable five individual wooden chalet-type cottages of "Holumba Haven" complex, situated within the acres of orchid farm and forested botanical park.

Dining room - 'The Orchid' (seating 24 pax) is an annexe to the residence of Karma T. Pempahishey and family - owners of the niche.

The chalets named : Magnolia, Wood Cot , Bamboo Groove, Spring Site & Tree Tops, each have three double accommodation rooms, attached western bathrooms with 24 hours hot & cold spring water &, kitchen in 6 rooms. Arcadia - Cottage on adjacent property – ground floor. 2 double rooms, attached bathrooms, dining room, living room & kitchen. Total rooms - fourteen double accomodations.

Kalimpong Park Hotel is situated on a viewpoint, 1 km. uphill from the downtown area. The hotel faces north-east, and has a 270 degree panoramic view of the hills and valleys, with Kachenjunga massif standing majestically on the left. The hotel has its own cars that drive up to the front door.

Hotel Garden Reach Kalimpong is a budget hotel, located at a distance of 0.5 kms from the main town. The hotel is a perfect place for the leisure as well as business traveler.

Hotel Garden Reach Kalimpong has a variety of rooms divided into the categories of Standard Double Bed Room and Deluxe Double Bed Room. All the rooms are equipped with modern amenities and facilities for a comfortable stay.

Hotel Sonar Bangla stands atop a hill, among the scattered cottages, encircled with Newraya Valley National Park infested with rare species animals like Panda, Bear and the likes. The only hotel in Rishyap offering the modern comforts along with the natural beauty, Hotel Sonar Bangla makes for the perfect nature retreat.

Rishyap is 4 hrs from Darjeeling, while is 4.5 hrs from Siliguri. It is well connected by road while you can come either directly from Siliguri or via Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The nearest railway station to Rishyap is New Jalpaiguri which is 110 kms. The nearest Airport is Bagdogra and is 90 km from Rishyap.

The hotel offers 8 rooms in total equipped with a balcony sit-out and a fireplace. There is hot and cold water available in the washrooms