After a long winding drive through the mountains of darjeeling.

I must say the Elgin was a warm haven waiting to greet my husband and me with a warm blazing fire place , and a beautiful lounge that is one of the best warm romantic lounges i have ever seen all in red drapes .

At check in we were warly greetd by "Tanu" the receptionist who very graciously offered us a lovely sofa to sit in the lounge . We were then offered the silken scarf welcome and some beverages acxompanied. A cherry brandy or fruit juice of choice.

It was very heartning and warm especially a welcome like this at the Elgin, which is very unlike the usual standing check in at a hotel counter.

We then spent three nights at the Elgin. We were given an attic room. The wooden ceilings and the burma teak floor boards were lovely. I loved the way they gave us warm hot water bags to go with our beds and the way bed was served by the "chowkidar" the night watch men in the morning. It gave the feeling i was in tea country.

The food was a fixed buffet and although there was no a la carte in the dining room, the service was quick and prompt. The food quality in the buffet was very fresh and very good indeed. They made sure they changed the menu at every meal time so we werent bored. They do chinese, continental , indian and local cuisines. All cuisine standards were pretty good. Dont forget to try their soups yjey are very good.

Over all i feel it was lovely cozy hotel , warm old staff , very personalised service.

I will surely return.

Was planning a trip to Darjeeling and a colleague recommended the Elgin. "Old British property with loads of character. I know the management and will get you a discount as well". I was hooked. For around Rs. 21,000, I was reserved in a suite for 3 nights.

Problem-1: The hotel wanted a 100% advance. I thought that happens only in Russia. And this is the off-peak season in Darjeeling. Ah well. "Do you have an online payment gateway?" No. "Can I give you my credit card number as guarantee?" No. Only option - send a cheque!

Problem-2: The hotel's sales office is in Calcutta and I live in Bombay. "No problem," said the sales manager, a lady named Madhumita. "We have an office in Bombay, and they will pick up the cheque from your home or office. This is their phone number." So far so good.

The phone number is a cell number. The person using that number turns out to be the son of the owner who appears to have retired to Bombay! The hotel has no sales office in Bombay - the son of the owner will pick up the cheque!

The SOO (Son of Owner) sounds very pleasant on the phone, but is extremely surprised as to how I knew about the Elgin despite being a Bombay resident. He also requests me to mail the cheque to him "as my driver unfortunately cannot visit your place".

Oh well! I write out a cheque for the full amount and despatch it by courier. 4 days pass, no response. My wife calls the SOO - no response. She calls Calcutta and speaks to the sales manager. In a manner that would do Basil Fawlty proud, she ticks of my wife telling her that (a) she has not received the cheque, and (b) it is not her business to follow up for payments.

A shell shocked wife checks with the courier for delivery status - and discovers that the envelope has been received by the SOO's building security. The envelope has been resting in the SOO's mail box for 3 days.

We try the SOO again - and get through this time. He is very apologetic, runs down and comes back to confirm that he has got the cheque. I complain about the manager's rude behaviour. He apologises and states that he is sending the cheque to Calcutta.

2 hours later, an email comes from Madhumita stating, amongst other things that "I had a misunderstanding with your wife" and "I will issue the receipt when I receive the cheque in Calcutta". Ah well, let bygones be bygones.

Two days later, my wife receives a call at work on her cell phone. It is Madhumita, breathing fire and brimstone. "I asked for a local cheque. You have sent me an outstation cheque. This is cheating!". And on and on and on.

That evening, we call the SOO to complain against the sales manager's conduct. "I am sorry," he says, "but she can be rather stern."

We finally do the inevitable - tell the SOO to cancel the reservation request. We finally book at another hotel in Darjeeling, where our custom is treated with more respect!

Owners of the Elgin, please wake up! Another reviewer has commented that "the staff are unhappy". Even without staying there, I can believe it!

After the hair-raising drive up to Darjeeling, the Elgin was a haven of colonial charm and tranquility. The Elgin is a rambling heritage hotel which has been recently fully renovated but retains all its raj character and style.
We were offered a choice of rooms, a sunny twin or a larger suite but without views. We chose the latter, attracted by the coal fire and comfortable sitting area. The bed was large and comfortable with the hot water bottles a welcome added touch, and the marble bathroom was one of the best we had seen in India although hot water was sometimes in short supply.
The tariff included all meals (room only was not offered), which were taken in a dining room with chintz table cloths and roaring fire. The food was plentiful with a range of curries, soups and english puddings, although after the large breakfasts and morning tea the 5 course lunches were a bit of an effort . There were some very pleasant sitting areas overlooking the garden and a gazebo ideal for afternoon tea and cucumber sandwiches.
Broadband internet was available at no charge in the lounge and the hotel had good off street parking (essential for us)
Management was efficient but not particularly friendly although this was made up for by the helpful turbaned staff plying guest with tea or drinks.

First, it's important to realize that Darjeeling is basically a one horse town--and there are few options for upscale travellers--most visitors are probably non-demanding trekkers.
The New Elgin has charm--in a decaying raj sort of way--(this part of the country is prone to generator blackouts--be sure to bring a flashlight)--but it also has a very unhappy staff--and meals consisting of limp British food served in silver chafing dishes swimming in grease. I am hesitant to understand why--unless the hotel has discovered that Europeans prefer even the lowest denominator English food to the best of local cuisine.