Must-see hotels in Darjeeling

This quaint, rambling relic of the Raj is one of Darjeeling’s most atmospheric digs. The charming Ada Villa, with the tea rooms and bar, was once a…

Run by the good people at Dekeling Hotel, this is a great escape from Darjeeling's increasingly noisy centre, situated 1km south en route to the Japanese…

Spotless Dekeling is full of charming touches such as coloured diamond-pane windows, a wood-fired heater in the sociable lounge-library, wood panelling…

About an hour's drive north of Darjeeling, this stylish, uberluxury tea estate is a true indulgence for those looking to splurge. The lovely estate sits…

A two-hour drive from Rimbik near Bijanbari, this cheerful place is managed by Andrew Pulger-Frame, whose Sikkimese grandparents once ran an estate from…

Originally a maharaja’s summer palace but renovated within an inch of its life, this plush choice sits among manicured gardens and a bizarre collection of…

A surprising number of Darjeeling's best-run hotels are Tibertan-owned and this is one of them, with a tasteful Tibetan theme throughout in the rugs,…

This Beatles-themed hotel certainly makes a change from standard hill-station hotel style. It's full of Fab Four memorabilia and the five small but…

Grand and full of classy ambience, yet friendly and comfortable, the Elgin was once the summer residence of the maharaja of Cooch Behar. The restaurant is…

This friendly Tibetan-run place on the edge of the bazaar has pleasant wood-skirted rooms with clean bathrooms. Upper-floor rooms are best; those at the…

The Snowlion provides a friendly Tibetan welcome and cosy, clean, pine-panelled rooms with soft beds and Tibetan rugs and cushions. The two top-floor…

This old-school building has a variety of sizable, clean, bright, wood-panelled and wood-floored rooms. The spacious breakfast-lounge area and location by…

A dependable choice in a quiet area well above the downtown hubbub, the Aliment has a variety of reasonably priced, wood-lined rooms. The best are on the…

This very good-value place is sparkling clean, with 24-hour hot water, a comfy lobby lounge, views from the rooftop and upper floors, and 16 small but…

A simple budget option, with smallish, carpeted, past-their-prime rooms. All have hot showers and the sunny terrace is a bonus. Rooms vary considerably;…

Clean, bright, modern rooms with comfy mattresses make this a solid, central option, with profits going to the Manjushree Centre of Tibetan Culture in the…

Clean, basic rooms and satisfying meals in a cosy house among mountain meadows, 2.5km above Mane Bhanjang on the way up to the Singalila Ridge.

Offers inexpensive accommodation with attached bathrooms in Rimbik, a trailhead for Singalila Ridge treks. Fooding available.

Offers three comfortable rooms with attached bathroom and hot showers, with pleasant lawns out the front. No meals except breakfast, though.