Elgin Hotels

 

The New Elgin, Darjeeling, India

Elgin Hotels

After a long drive from Nepal, we were welcomed as guests by the Oberoi family at their delightful New Elgin Hotel. This Victorian hotel is part of the Elgin Hotels Group that has several properties in this part of India. Their website is at : 

www.elginhotels.com

 

Darjeeling : The New Elgin
Their hotel is Darjeeling is the "New Elgin". This is what the Lonely Planet says : "One of Darjeeling's oldest hotels, it has been completely, tastefully and stylishly renovated but still reflects the ambience of its colonial past." This hotel dates back to 1885 and has been run by the same family for some 40 years and staying there feels like staying home. The butler has been on regular duty here for the last 50 years ! Most rooms have open fires for the chilly winter months and the whole house is filled with old pictures and original furniture. Shame the walls cannot disclose what they have seen and heard over the years !

 

Old style picture, New Elgin, Darjeeling

 

The Timber Bar, New Elgin, Darjeeling

 

Gangtok, Nor-Khill Hotel

The Nor-Khill Hotel in Gangtok has even more history : it used the be the King of Sikkim's private guesthouse. Again, this places oozes with character as it has been kept original. This is where, from the room on the corner of the building, we were lucky to get a glimpse of the Himalaya, something quite unusual at this time of the year.

 

 

Kalimpong, Hotel Silver Oaks

The last property we visited of the Elgin Hotels is Kalimpong's "Hotel Silver Oaks". The "Silver Oaks" was once the home of a British family who ran a jute plantation. As with the two previous homes, it is set in beautiful gardens. The view from these gardens at the Silver Oaks is that of the Kanchenjunga, the world's 3rd highest peak at 8598 m !

 

 

The three hotels of the chain are able to combine old style with modern amenities :
  • Attached private bath with shower
  • Colour TV with satellite channels

  • Multi-channel music in public areas

  • Coffee and tea facilities
  • Round the clock room service
  • Laundry and dry cleaning service
  • Currency exchange
  • Safe deposit lockers
  • Baby sitting arrangements
  • Traveldesk
  • Doctor on call
  • Car parking area (most useful for overland travellers and difficult to find in Darjeeling !) 
  • Banquet and conference facilties
  • Communications: fax and e-mail

 

 

 

To stay at any of these magnificent places, contact the Elgin Hotels :

ELGIN HOTELS, 5 Park Row, 47 Park Street, Calcutta 700 016, India.

Telephone +91 33 226 9878, Fax +91 33 246 6388

E-mail : newelgin@cal.vsnl.net.in, Website : www.elginhotels.com

 

Thank you !

 
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