Glenburn Tea Estate, Near Darjeeling [India]
Glenburn is a heavenly little plantation retreat that lies on a hillock above the banks of the River Rungeet, high in the Himalayas, overlooked by the mighty Kanchenjunga mountain range.
Started by a Scottish tea company in 1859, the estate passed into one of India's prominent tea planting families, the Prakashes who lovingly restored the Bungalow to offer one of best luxury boutique hotels in India. With a picture perfect location amidst tea plantations and overlooking the verdant rolling hills, Glenburn is simply the most heavenly place. The colonial bungalow blends the old world charm seamlessly with all the contemporary luxury. With a wonderful location, beautifully furnished suites, a very warm and efficient staffs, and plethora of activities, Glenburn remains one of the few destinations in India where you can walk all day and return to luxury at night.
Glenburn Tea Estate is an hour's drive from Darjeeling and is located along the border between the states of Sikkim and West Bengal. The nearest airport, Bagdogra is about 80 kms away.
Glenburn has two bungalows, each comprising four suites and common areas, gardens, verandahs and terraces accessible to all the guests:
Burra Bungalow: This is the original Bungalow, home to the generation of tea planters. The Bungalow comprises of four suites, a sweeping Main Verandah, cozy Living Room (with fireplace and library) and grand Dining Room where candle-lit sit-down dinners are held. The suites at the bungalow are the Kanchenjunga Suite, The Planter’s Suite, The Rose Suite and The Butterfly Room. All the four suites have been charmingly decorated, each following a different theme, and are comfortable and spacious. Each of the suites offer a unique experience to the guests.
Water Lily Bungalow: The Water Lily Bungalow is the new addition in the estate and comprises of four suites, a Living Room, smaller Dining Room, two verandahs and garden areas laid out on two levels. Connected to The Burra Bungalow by a stone staircase, the Bungalow also houses a large recreation and meeting room, as well as the Massage and Steam Room. The suites at the Water Lily Bungalow are the Camelia suite, The Rangeet Suite, The RungDung suite and the Singalila suite. All four suites in the bungalow have direct views of the mountains, with antique furniture, private balconies, bay windows/or sitouts. The bathrooms have antique free-standing bathtubs, each with a view, walk-in rain showers and old fashioned washstands with Venetian mirrors.
A common feature of all the suites at the Glenburn is a hand-embroidered bed linen , baskets of fresh fruit, vases of fresh flowers from the garden, hot water bottles and/or electric blankets, private bathrooms with old-fashioned bath tubs (fitted with hand showers)- in all bathrooms except The Planters' Suit, walk-in rain showers, hot and cold water and Darjeeling Green Tea toiletries.
Glenburn has a cosy dining room with traditional décor in the main bungalow of the estate. However meals are not restricted to any one place and are served in various locations including the verandahs and the Gardens. In the evening candle lit dinner in the main dining room is organised for the guest and mostly the hosts join in the guests for the dinner. Private dining or alfresco dining is possible on requests.
Food at Glenburn is a part of the Glenn burn experience. All meals, snacks and refreshments are included in the tariff, and the menu is planned according to the select preferences of each guest. The menus comprise a range of cuisine - from interesting local fare and traditional Indian dishes, to exotic South-East Asian delicacies, and a variety of European dishes making full use of the fresh Italian herbs, and salad leaves grown in their well-stocked kitchen garden. Family recipes including Tea-Leaf Pakoras, Chocolate Brownies, Tibetan Momos and Burmese Khow Suey are served with a discrete but attentive Glenburn touch.
Glenburn have plenty of experiences to offer to its guests.
Tea Plantation Tour - This is the signature acitivity of the resort, which guests a hands on experience of how a tea is plucked, pruned and processed to be able to manufactured into the tea that ends up in your teacup.
Excursions to nearby cities - The guests can take day tours to the nearby towns of Darjeeling , Kalimpong or Mirik, or out to the impressive bronze Buddha statue on the opposite hill to Glenburn.
Hiking tours and picnic lunch - To near by cities -There are lots of hiking tours to various selected spots around the Rungeet and Rung dung river, where you can enjoy picnic lunch and other activities like angling, Paddling in rock pools, and beach activities.
Cooking demonstration - For the cooking enthusiasts, Glenn burn has an "open" kitchen policy where guests are invited to watch the staff cook and prepare dishes. Guests can leave their own family recipes which end up in their menus, named after the guest.
Visit to a near by village School - Visit to a near by village School.
SPA - Glenn burn also boasts of a "mini spa" room, where the guests can enjoy a full body massage in a calm ambience of candles and soft Tibetan chanting. Foot massages and head or shoulder massages, as well as manicures and pedicures can be had on any of our terraces, verandahs or gardens so you can soak in the atmosphere of a mountain view or sunset.
Address : Near Singritan, Darjeeling West Bengal 734101, INDIA
