Glenburn Tea Estate
This little plantation retreat lies on the banks of the River Rungeet, high in the Himalayas and overlooked by the mighty Kanchenjunga.
Home to generations of tea planters, originally established in 1860 and a working tea estate to this day, Glenburn is owned and run by the Prakash family. It has been beautifully restored and is now a wonderfully cosy and peaceful place to stay.
With four rooms in The Burra Bungalow and four more in The Water Lily Bungalow on the edge of the Glenburn spur, it is the perfect base from which to visit Darjeeling or for those who just want to enjoy the magnificent views and stunning countryside.
Wildlife abounds and there is plenty to do by way of a private tour of the tea estate or walking, trekking, fishing, picnics and bird-watching.
Why We Love It
Glenburn's small size makes it ideal for exclusive hire, and the property can be taken over exclusively for small groups.
Assam Bengal Navigation Boats
Assam Bengal Navigation is a two boat party offering wilderness cruises along the vast Brahmaputra River.
The boats, ABN Charaidew and ABN Sukapha, are fairly similar in design and are both comprised of 12 cabins - ten with twin beds and two doubles, each with en-suite shower and loo. All of the cabin accommodation is on the upper deck, and there is a well stocked bar and sitting room opening onto the front deck.
The dining room is on the lower deck, and the food is a mixture of Assamese (milder than most Indian cuisine) and international, and is of a very high standard. The boats also have a large sundeck with seating in the shade or sun, perfect for catching the rays and taking in the views.
Why We Love It
Travelling by river boat is a great way to see the spectacular landscape and wildlife of Eastern India.
The Oberoi Grand
The Oberoi Grand, fondly referred as the 'Grande Dame of Chowringhee' offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy.
Standing stately for a century (the hotel is built on the site of the old Theatre Royal, which burned down in 1911), the Oberoi Grand combines classic Victorian architecture and charm with state of the art amenities and facilities.
The 200 rooms and nine suites are all different shapes and sizes but the décor throughout is colonial in theme.
Breakfast is something of a banquet, and ideal for fuelling a day's sightseeing in Calcutta. A good lunch is served at the shaded garden Terrace restaurant and there's also an excellent Thai restaurant. For a perfect early evening gin and tonic, head to the Chowringhee bar, and elsewhere there is an excellent pool.
Finally, the staff throughout the hotel strike the perfect balance of attentive and charming service without being overly formal in this, a big hotel that feels anything but.
Why We Love It
The Oberoi Grand has a policy whereby returning guests are never allocated a smaller or less luxurious room than the one they had on their last visit.
