we have taken 2 rooms at hotel 717. it is wonderful experience staying in this excellent hotel. the lovely paintings and interiors will not allow us to move our feet towards the room. the attitude of management and staff is fantastic. particularly, the hotel attracted our kids. they forced us to stay there for one more day. that much beautiful it is. the food is worth. staff are very co operative and attract guest with their pleasant manners. i never saw any anger face in this hotel. this is the plus point. the rooms are spacious and the hot and cold water supply is good. we liked their restaurant and food is nice. we prefer to book the same hotel again and again when we visit darjeeling. really this hotel is the 'gem' of darjeeling.

We stayed there in November and choose the place as the previous reviews states after reading the comment in Lonely Planet. and enjoyed the same positive experience he has. We had also the room on the top floor and enjoyed it very much. If you have the possibility, opt for these rooms for the view and the tibetan ambience - just be aware that there is no lift to take you there, but some very steep stairs. But then, halfway up there is a cozy bibliotheque in tibetan style as well, where you can sit and relax. We enjoyed also the food in their restaurant and the relaxing music during breakfast to bring you in a peaceful mood for the day. If you are not used to noise during the night, you might bring earplugs, as the dogs down in the city are rumorous all night.
If in Darjeeling, go for the sunrise to Tiger Hill. Even if you stay there in the cold, waiting for the sight, it is always worth it. You see 4 of the 5 highest peaks at once and you cant stop taking pictures.

I have just returned from a four day trip to Darjeeling (14th July - 18th July 2006) with my family - my husband, me and my toddler.
The room in the hotel was spacious, we opted for a superior deluxe room with breakfast. Bathroom is clean - I am extremely fussy about clean bathrooms. The room is clean with wall to wall carpeting. The view was great.
What I liked best was the restaurant - it served the best tibetian food I had in entire Darjeeling - scrumptious fried momo's, ghyantuk, thupka, steamed momo's, cheese momo's - only sad part was they were not serving pork but the chicken and veg. variety was also good.
For the price we paid (50% discount on the room then general rates) it was worth the stay.