Guest reviews Glenburn Tea Estate

by atisb Kharagpur, India

Wonderful experience in a tea estate

We spend 3 days in dream. The location is excellent. Where ever you go for breakfast or lunch you can see mount kanchendzhongha. We stayed at singalila suite. The food is awesome. Not a single item in lunch or dinner are similar to another. We always got surprised at the dining table. The staffs are very much careful. We stayed there four nights. We enjoyed everything there to the fullest. We had two picnics there, one near Rangeet river and another near Rungdoong river. We had bird watching tour also. Variety of birds are found. The manager in the tea factory was very helpful and knowledgeable. We learned the basics of tea there. Our guide Luna and asst manager Rudolf are very nice and knowledgeable person. Over all we must thank the person behind all these Mr Bertie and Mrs Audrey without whom the experience would not be so amazing. Thank you all of the glen burn family.

by ChandrimaB465

Heaven in the Himalayas - recommend highly

I'm writing this 8 months after we stayed at Glenburn, in December 2019. Obviously so much has happened in the world since then because of the pandemic, but we often speak of our 4 days there. I have just re-ordered (online) some of Glenburn's amazing Khongea Masala Chai, which I have only just finished (having rationed myself!) Bertie and Audrey, our hosts, made this trip for us, they are charming and accomodating. As did Rudolph our guide, who is really knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. (In fact one of our highlights was visiting the local village with him) Our room was off the main dining room, and it is still how I imagine it was in the 1940s. As a child of Indian immigrants, I often wonder what living in a Raj-era building was like, I'm sure this is it, with a four-poster bed and a working bath in the bathroom. It was cold in the evenings- we had heated electric blankets and a hot water bottle. The weather was beautiful in the daytime and we had breakfast and sometimes lunch looking at the Himalayan mountain peaks, amongst wonderful flowers and greenery. Every evening we had a communal dinner with other guests- some were lovely, others less so but that is still fun when you are travelling with only each other for company most of the time. The trek down to the river was fun, climbing back up to the house in the heat hard work but aches soothed away by an amazing massage. TAKE WALKING BOOTS with ankle supports rather than just trainers if you want to climb up the valley (or get driven in the Jeep!). We didn't go further afield, preferring to stay in the grounds, but next time we will definitely visit local monasteries and temples.

by Fargana75

Highly recommend; wonderful experience

My husband and I stayed at this property for 4-5 days in April 2019. We had a great time; we felt the hosts, Bertie and his wife Audrey run the place very well; they were also very knowledgable, helpful and friendly. The property itself is spectacularly located; you can look up at the ridge on which Darjeeling sits. In another direction, you can see the Himalayas. The room we had was very spacious. The property really captures the traditional feel and ambience of a tea plantation. Thank you Bertie and Audrey again for your hospitality. Peter and Fira Henshaw

by Kampala_Hoop London, United Kingdom

Incredible escape to the hills

I stayed at Glenburn at the end of a long trip across Assam, Nagaland and Bengal. What a way to finish!! Yes, it’s an adventurous ride down there (I was offered to walk if I wished) and It might not be ideal as a ‘Darjeeling focused’ hotel if you’ve just got a night or two. But I took it as as a relaxing treat at the end of my trip which I felt was a great way to really enjoy it. I stayed in the new building and the room was vast, bright and welcoming with stunning views. The service was impeccable from start to finish and the hosts l made me feel part of the extended family. My highlight was definitely early evening, looking over at the lights of Darjeeling - my first taste of India a decade ago - with a beer. It felt so relaxing and poignant. The shared dining was fun and as is the case in India, delicious. I was one of the younger guests but the hosts helped me integrate and I was quickly adopted other guests sharing our stories. The only tiny gripe I’ve heard from others is that if you drink beer its unclear how much you’re being charged for as you sometimes get a large bottle and other times a glass refill. I guess that is true though you could always ask I suppose. I imagine not a concern for most of the clientele and they were cheaper than I was expecting (cheaper than the Mall in Darjeeling). But that’s all I can think of. As long as you’re aware of the bumpy drive and the distance from town then it’s a gem and worth a binge at the end of a trip. On a side note I found Glenburn far warmer with a little more of an eclectic atmosphere than some other expensive hotels in India. It felt like other guests wanted to be part of the experience/here as their treat, rather than a tick box/status thing. To me as a solo with this as my only ‘luxury’ property, that was hugely important as it didn’t feel like a private members club like some others can, especially in Rajasthan. Can’t wait to return!

by 743rayn Rogers, Arkansas

Epitome of style and class.

I feel lucky to have found the Glenburn Tea Estate during my on-line research prior to my trip there. What a gem. It sits on a hilltop surrounded by literally hundreds of acres of tea fields. For my companion and I, it was a perfect spot to spend a week relaxing, enjoying the scenery, and being treated like royalty by the hotel staff. I enjoyed the trip to such extent that I have had recurring dreams about returning ever since. No detail is left unattended. Every courtesy is extended. Do not miss a chance to spend several days at this place.