Built in 1864 the foundation of the colonial bungalow was laid by the Darjeeling Tea Company, and is one of the oldest tea plantations in and around the hills of Darjeeling. As a heritage property it maintains the colonial structure, antique furniture in the interiors and feel of the bygone era. The heritage tea plantation boutique hotel is set on top of a hill amidst 960 hectares of plush tea plantations, offering the experience of a life lived by the colonial British. Restoration was carried out between 2013-2015 and has kept intact the colonial heritage structure, rafter ceilings, teak wood flooring, four poster beds and antique furniture. The little details that add to the experience include pampering guests with bed teas, four-course sit down dinners and staff in-waiting at all times. This adds to the charm and luxuries of a hotel whilst maintaining the warmth and comfort of a home.

Six differently styled suites make up your stay options. The Spring Suite is the most spacious of all with luxurious drapes adorning the classic four poster Bengal Bed made from Burma teak. Ideal as a family space, it can easily accommodate a couple and two kids with an additional queen bed in the room. True to its name, the room is adorned with fresh lime green and blue bringing it alive. The Blue Lady Room decorated with butah Persian prints, comes with an antique king bed, empress cupboard, large dresser, a large day bed and a writing desk and chair. Expansive windows open onto the private gardens and views of the Himalayan range. The Empress Teal Suite is an ode to the relaxed pace of country living with teal furnishings in floral prints and panelling across the room. Add to that a writing desk, antique cane chair, accent arm chair with a foot stool and hand-drawn bird prints gracing the walls. These three rooms include your own private fireplace, a perfect spot to snuggle up with a book, listening to soulful jazz or simply a glass of wine on those cool nights.

The Peony Blush Suite is the only twin bedded room in the house. Reminiscent of sweet, summertime love, it isdecorated with enduring peony print furnishings, sheer pink curtains, the wing-back chair in soft coral. The Chevron Suite is decorated in antique white and ming yellow making it the cosiest of the all rooms with parquet flooring and an antique Calcutta bed with soft poster drapes. The Royal Assam Suite is decorated with warm colour furnishings of fuchsia and red, and the classic colonial bed with an intricately carved headboard. Multitude of spindles and turned legs remind you of the ‘British Raj’. The rosewood dressing table, study and cane chair add to the charm of the room, though the most special feature is the day bed with sprawling windows that let you enjoy the heavenly mist of the mountains while you sip on fresh Ging tea.

All rooms come with a spacious bathroom with a walk-in rain shower and modern amenities, a flat screen television, a choice of movies, music and board games, room heaters and extra blankets.

Dining

The spacious communal dining room is apt for long lunches, three course evening meals and great conversations. The multi cuisine menus include local, Indian and continental meals which are made from fresh, seasonal produce with plenty of ingredients sourced from their own organic kitchen garden. When the weather permits, breakfast is served on the open deck offering views of the tea plantation. The lobby is an idyllic spot for a cup of tea allowing the hours to slip by. 

The Tea Tour allows to see, pluck, taste and experience Darjeeling Tea first hand. The tour begins with legendary stories of how tea made its way from China, moving on to walking along the various sections of the tea garden and understanding the intricate process of plucking the ‘two leaves and a bud’. The tour continues to the factory to understand the manufacturing process that includes the various steps of withering, rolling, fermenting, drying and sorting. Finally, bring your senses alive with the tea tasting session.

There are plenty of hiking options with curated walking trails all over the estate as 60% has been left as natural forests. Discover wildflowers, birds and little villages. Take a guided trek to the river Rangeet or just choose a spot for a rustic planters’ picnic lunch. For the cool nights, enjoy bonfires with live music and local dance performances. The library is reminiscent of the old British days, with green leather sofas and bar stools, an open fire place, LCD TV and a small collection of books. It is the perfect place to be after a long day. A game of billiards on the vintage table, playing the piano or a game of chess, carom or scrabble are options as well.

With the Darjeeling Mall road just 30 minutes away, the sights of Darjeeling can easily be accessed, including the toy train, Ghoom monastery, the Japanese Peace Pagoda and the Botanical Gardens. Rock climbing and river rafting in the Teesta river are options for those looking for a little adventure.

Perfect For

The mood and the setting make for a rejuvenating experience. Fit for a small gathering, a special occasion or just reconnecting with each other and nature, Ging Tea House is suitable for children and young adults as well. For children, experiences include planting seeds in the kitchen garden, choosing and picking your own salad, a fish feeding pond and momo making sessions.

Operational status

Ging Tea House is open all year.

The Ging Tea House are members of the Fairtrade and Ethical Tea Partnership.

No Single Use Plastic: Ging Tea House is working toward eliminating single use plastic on site.

Nature and Biological Diversity Conservation: Ging Tea House along with other gardens have been pioneers in introducing organic practices to the tea industry as a responsibility toward the soil and the people who gain from it. There are no harmful chemicals used as it is a fully bio-organic plantation; and IMO and Naturland certification guidelines are strictly followed. Being Rainforest Alliance certified and meeting the HACCP standards, there is a balance maintained by coexisting with the natural flora and fauna of the region. More than 60% of the estate has been left uncultivated allowing the natural forest and her inhabitants to take over.

Local Community Engagement: When the British first began to cultivate tea in the region, workers from Nepal were brought in and they continue to work in the estate generations later.

Sensitive Destination Discovery: Although Darjeeling town is close by, Ging Tea House offers plenty of in-house experiences that include walking trails, walks to the river with picnic lunches and board games.

Heritage Preservation: The colonial bungalow (over 150 years old) was restored sensitively to keep intact the heritage structure, rafter ceilings, teak wood flooring, four poster beds and antique furniture.

Human Touch: The fully local staff enjoy benefits such as free housing, ration and medical coverage and support to the schools and hospitals. Interest free loans are provided for animal husbandry, which brings additional income for the workers and organic manure for the soil.

The RARE Sustainability Quotient is a self-audit tool that is used by our hotel partners to measure, document and assess their planet and people friendly practices and is based on the RARE Touchstones.