Darjeeling Tourist Lodge

Category: 2-Star & Budget Rooms

Darjeeling Tourist Lodge has been renamed to Meghbalika Tourism Property. This is a West Bengal state government run hotel and provides 2 star amenities in its main building as well as economy (low budget) rooms in the Annex building. From Mall road and opposite to the Gorkha Ranga Mancha building there is a steep bifurcation on the right which leads to the tourist lodge at the end. From the Mall, it's about 5 to 6 minutes walk.

As you enter through the large iron gate into the lodge premises, the first impression is that it's a fairly large property compared to the other hotels in its category. There is a large open space in front along with a car park. The main building has 15 rooms. I have reviewed rooms in the Annex Building (which is located adjacent to the main building) in a separate section below.

Photo: WBTDCL

As you enter the main building, there is a small reception area right in front with a small lobby on its left. There is a corridor shortly ahead that leads to the rooms at the ground floor. A stairway from the corridor leads to the room in upper floors. What I liked about the stairway is at every landing, there is a sofa seating arrangement with wonderful view of the valley through the large windows. This is an ideal place to have a cup of tea and enjoy the views.

There are two types of rooms in the main building - Standard double rooms that are smaller in size but large enough for a comfortable stay. And there are large double rooms. Out of the large rooms, there are few that are mighty large and have separate dressing area with dressing table, large wall mirrors, sofa sets, wooden floors and such.

Standard Double Room in main building

If you take a large double room, then go for a real big one (for example room no. 15) as there is no difference in rates between the large rooms. However all rooms including the standard rooms have a wonderful covered private balcony at the back side. There are comfy chairs and tables placed there. The covered balconies have windows opening out to fantastic views of the valley and mountain range.

From the balcony of the standard rooms you can see the Phukchiring Tea estate. From some of the larger room balconies you can get a lovely view of the Lebong Race Course. On a clear day, you can have great views of the snow peaks including the Kanchenjunga from almost all the rooms (from the balconies), as well as the lush lawn below. For families with kids, rooms at the ground floor would be good as they have doors opening out to the backside lawn where the kids can play.

Covered balcony in a standard room

The rate for single occupancy is 25% lesser than double occupancy. All the rooms have wall LCD TVs. The large rooms have Sony LCD TVs. The rooms have phones connected to EPABX system. They also provide room heaters during winter time (included in the tariff of the rooms of main building, but charged extra in rooms of Annex building). The bathrooms are really large and have geysers for hot and cold water.

Large room (#15) with dressing area

There is a lovely lush green lawn at the backside of the hotel. This garden can be seen from the balconies of the rooms. Although the lawn is used for private functions, anybody can otherwise go down to the lawn and enjoy the scenic views all around.

You can clearly see the entire Eastern Himalayan range from the lawn. There is a small hut at one end of the lawn which is used to set up a bar or bar-b-que. On another side of the lawn there is a nice fountain where the water streams fall through the rocks.

Backside Lawn & View of Kanchenjunga

In the ground floor of the main building there is an in-house restaurant which serves Indian and Chinese dishes (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian). The restaurant is large and has several tables.

Dining Room (Restaurant)

There is also a bar lounge in the ground floor next to the reception area.

Bar lounge

On the first floor, the lodge also has a conference room with conferencing facilities. The check in and check out time is 12 noon.

Annex Building - Budget Option

The tourist lodge provides an economy option for budget travelers as well. The annex building is located right adjacent to the main building and offers 15 rooms that are much cheaper than the rooms in the main building. There are two floors in the building. A concrete stairway from outside leads to the lower floor and then an inside stairway to the upper floor.

Annex Room (#26)

The rooms here, although a bit smaller than ones in the main building, are quite okay. All the basic amenities are available including TV (ordinary ones though), hot & cold water in the attached bathrooms, wooden floors, cupboards etc.

Annex 4-bedded room (#24)

However one of the key shortfalls here is the view. The rooms in the lower floor have no views at all. The windows open out to the backside of staff quarters. So you will be better off keeping the windows closed. The ones at the upper floor have some views though but the views are mostly blocked by trees. If you get the corner room (#24 which is a 4 bedded room) or the one next to it (#25, a double bedded room), you will still get some views through the trees.

Bathroom of Annex Room #24

You can anyway go down to the backside lawn and get great views of the snow peaks. Rooms are fairly clean and staff clean the rooms everyday if you leave the key behind at the reception. Overall a good value for money.

Although the taps, shower mixers, hand showers etc have all been recently changed, the water pressure in the annex bathrooms is often a problem. You can hardly use the showers due to low water pressure. And it takes a while to understand how you will finally get the hot water out from the taps although the geyser has fully warmed up the water. It requires some special skill but possible. There is an extra charge for room heaters in the Annex Building (Rs. 200).

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Overall Opinion

Here is my overall opinion about Darjeeling Tourist Lodge

Among the 2-star & budget accommodations in Darjeeling, the tourist lodge is one of the best when you consider the location, rooms and amenities. However there are sign of aging clearly visible.

The location is excellent and only 5-6 minutes from the Chowrasta Mall. However, this part of the Bhanu Sarani or Mall road where the hotel is located, is quite steep. So some elderly people may find it a bit difficult to walk back to the hotel from the Mall area.

The hotel is great for families. It has lot of open space in front and a lovely garden in the back side for children to play around. The lawn has lovely views of Kanchenjunga and the mountain range.

The in-house restaurant is okay, nothing great. I thought the food preparations are a bit bland. But tolerable. They make north Indian and Chinese dishes.

Tariff includes complimentary breakfast (they keep switching the scheme for Annex). And in complimentary breakfast you have choice of bread, butter, jam, egg (single), tea etc or puri, sabji, tea. But only two very thin slices of breads are offered which may not be enough for most. And unless you ensure, they may not be even toasted to any standards. However quality of Darjeeling tea offered is usually great. I have noticed an exception in Kurseong tourist lodge where thickness of bread, and food quality in general was taken care of, both being part of the same state tourism. Kurseong lodge restaurant has another problem of flies though and since ages. A mystery I could not solve until now, but that's another story.

The private covered balconies in the main building's rooms are special and offer some of the best views of the mountain range, valley and tea estates.

Most of the staff have been working here since many years. For example, one of my favorite waiters Balakrishna has been working here since 1998. Being a state government owned hotel, the service can be quite slow at times and the waiters may sometimes look dispassionate. They don't mean to be so, but that's how they appear to be. Probably the age and the routine monotonous work is showing in their expressions. But some of the young ones are exceptionally good.

Don't be surprised if you hear at the reception that the bar is closed because the person who operates the bar hasn't turned up or gone off early while keeping with him the bar key.

Location

From the Chowrasta Mall take the left part of the Mall Road (also known as Bhanu Bhakta Sarani). Walk up to the Gorkha Ranga Manha (the large building with a sphere on top) which is about 5 minutes from the Mall. On the right you will see an uphill road which goes by the side of St. Andrew's Church and then the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club. There are signs of the tourist lodge along the road. At the end of the road (about 1 minute from Ranga Mancha), you will see the main gate of the lodge.

Address:

Darjeeling Tourist Lodge (Now, Meghbalika Tourism Property)

Bhanu Sarani (The Mall Road), Darjeeling 734101, India.

How to Book Darjeeling Tourist Lodge

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Rates provided by booking.com

For manual booking, visit a WBTDC office. Their office in Kolkata is at BBD Bag near the mini bus stand.

Address: 3/2 B.B.D. Bag (East), Kolkata - 700001

Phone (Toll Free): 18002121655

Phone: (033) 22436440; (+91) 9073386804; 9073327315

Email: [email protected]

1) Check out Darjeeling Top 2 Star Hotels to know about the other great mid priced hotels.

2) Darjeeling Hotels Guide

Visitors' Reviews/Comments

Pradipta Biswas (October 2021)

I have booked room at Darjeeling Tourist Lodge. Can you please suggest any economic way to reach there from NJP railway station?

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) October 2021

You can take a shared taxi from NJP which will drop you at Darjeeling lower town (Chauk Bazaar stand). Alternatively, take an auto from NJP and go down to Tenzing Norgay Bus Stand in Siliguri, and take a bus to Darjeeling Chauk Bazaar. From there, you can walk uphill (if you do not have heavy luggage... will take about 25 minutes to get to Tourist Lodge) or take a local taxi.

Amiya Ghosh (July 2019)

Hello Raj, thank you for all the valuable information in this website. Me and my wife are traveling to Darjeeling in October and booked room in Darjeeling Tourist Lodge. 1. Is geyser available 24 hours in standard double bed room in main building? 2. Is bed warmer available? 3. Can we get shared car for us two people from lodge reception for sightseeing and NJP transfer? 4. What is the breakfast menu option in main building? Please reply if possible. Wish you best of luck.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) July 2019

Hi, geysers are available in all rooms but no bed warmers. They can arrange reserved a car for sightseeing and transfers, but not a shared car. Complimentary breakfast is simple and the same everyday... toast, butter/jam, egg, tea in a pot or puri sabji and tea. I doubt they give double eggs (which they are supposed to). Overall the breakfast has been quite disappointing, let me know your experience.

Jeet Mukherjee (November 2018)

This tourist lodge has a nice garden, a clean and big dinning hall. Staff behaviour is very polite and helpful. Room tariff is not too high...but food cost is too high and food quality is very poor. Annex building rooms are not maintained properly. I don't know the condition of the main building. And this lodge is too uphill from the mall... difficult to reach, shop or get a shared cab.

Mitalee Chatterjee (September 2018)

Hi Raj! Firstly your website is extremely exhaustive. Thank you so very much for all the information available here. I have one question for you. Which would be the closest taxi stand I should get a share taxi to on arrival, so as to walk the least distance to the tourist lodge?

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2018

Hi, shared taxis won't come close to Darjeeling Tourist Lodge, they usually drop you at the lower town (Chowk Bazaar motor stand) and it's a 25 - 30 minute strenuous uphill walk. You can alternatively take a reserved taxi from the Chowk Bazaar stand up to the tourist lodge which can cost around Rs. 200/-.

Nandini (May 2018)

Hi, I have tried to book online standard double bedded room in Darjeeling tourist lodge main building. We are three persons. My husband, me and my daughter who is also an adult. But max no of persons in those room allows 2 while booking. I am ready to pay extra person's charge. How shall I do it in online booking?

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) May 2018

Hi, you can not book 3 adults in a double-bedded room of Darjeeling Tourist Lodge, although child is allowed. You should instead book a 4-bedded room for three of you or try to manage on the spot.

Biswajit Das (January 2017)

Hi there, I am planing to stay in Darjeeling tourist lodge with my family 4 +1 in Jan'17. Can you please inform about facility for food for child. Any special cooking facility in lodge for child.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2017

There is no special facility for child. You can however go down to the kitchen and request the cook to make the food the way you want. He may comply depending on workload and availability of ingredients. Offer him tips.

Soumit Dhar (March 2016)

Dear Raj, I want the following information regarding Darjeeling Tourist Lodge:- 1) How far is it from Clubside Main taxi Stand at Nehru Rd & Gandhi Rd junction? 2) If I book prepaid taxi from NJP, will it drop me in front of Lodge? 3) Whether they provide car service for local site seeing? 4) Whether there are good eateries in close proximity to the Lodge.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) March 2016

From Clubside taxi stand, it's 3-minute uphill walk to the Mall (chowrasta) and another 3-4 minute walk along Mall road. A steep uphill lane on the right and opposite to Gorkha Bhawan on Mall road leads to the Tourist lodge. Prepaid reserved taxi would drop you to the lodge but likely to charge a bit extra (about Rs. 100+). Darjeeling Tourist lodge provides sightseeing service and transfers, and have a rate chart at the reception which is quite reasonable. The whole of Nehru Road is full of eateries, but there is none on Mall road (not allowed). The Tourist Lodge itself has a restaurant and an adjacent bar area at the ground floor. The food at the lodge is very average and monotonous.

Rajib Bandyopadhyay (January 2016)

Enquiry about 4 bedded room in Annex building of Darjeeling Tourist Lodge. Is from the above mentioned room Kanchenjunga visible? Is complementary breakfast available for booking the above mentioned room?

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2016

View is mostly blocked by trees. You might still get a little glimpse through the trees though. No complimentary breakfast in any Annex rooms.

Suman Malakar (July 2015)

Hi Raj - We have made an online booking of one Std Dbl Bed Room in the main bldg of Darjeeling Tourist Lodge for our vacation trip during Nov'15; but, neither the online booking system nor the office @ Kolkata assures whether the room will be on ground floor or upper floors. Office from Kolkata informed that room will be allocated by the manager @ Darjeeling on our arrival on availability basis. Is there any way to assure the room is on the upper floor rather than ground floor which might not provide proper scenic view of the mountain range? Regards

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) July 2015

There is no way to exercise a choice of room or floor within a room-category, and this is how it is everywhere. But you can ask for it on arrival and they can provide if available on the day. If you are staying for several days, you can further make a request to shift you to an upper floor room as soon as it becomes available.

Suman Malakar (July 2015)

Hey Raj, Thanks for the update. One advise needed - are u aware on which floors of the tourist lodge main bld are the Std Dbl Bed rooms. My question is - if there are no rooms on the ground floor then I need not worry & if yes, do they have proper view. Thanks in advance for your support.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) July 2015

Standard double rooms are located at both ground and upper floors of the main building. The ground floor rooms are also nice and they have doors opening into the lawn at the back side. From the windows of these rooms and from the lawn, you get great views.

Subhranil Ghosh (September 2014)

Hi Raj, I have booked one standard double beded room in Annex Building. It's my first tour for me & my wife after our marriage. I need three informations:1) Can we use bar lounge for enjoying drinks? Atmosphere of bar lounge is ok for couple? 2) Does Darjeeling Tourist Lodge authority make arrangement for local sight seeing trip? 3) I will definitely show my original ID proof at the time of check in but does my original marriage certificate also req to proof the marriage relationship with my wife?

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2014

Bar lounge at Darjeeling Tourist Lodge is okay, but sofas etc showing signs of aging. It is often unmanned and not used by many guests. You may need to inform the reception staff and then they send the bar man. The service at the bar is often poor. Once I found the bar closed and the reason given was the bar man was absent and the bar keys were with him. So don't completely bank your bar plans on the tourist lodge. The dining room which often gets very noisy is adjacent to the bar with a connecting open door in between. So noise infiltration can also be a problem at times. The staff at the reception can arrange a car for you for local tours. But rates can be high. It is better to go through a tour operator like Ashmita. They also offer good discounts on Darjeeling Tourism Card. Both of you should carry ID proofs. No need for marriage certificate.

Debabrata Sengupta (August 2014)

Hi Raj, I have booked the Darjeeling Tourist Lodge, main building for 4 people. I am 73 years old and my wife is 65. So, we want to know if there is a car pick up service of the Lodge that will take us from NJP to the Lodge? If not, what is a reliable service that you would recommend? Thanks and regards,

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) August 2014

Hi, There is no car pick up service of Darjeeling Tourist Lodge. Take a pre paid taxi from the NJP station.

Amarjyoti Kar (May 2014)

We found Darjeeling Tourist Lodge very clean, secured and quiet. It is best if you are planning with your family and also the back side garden is very nice specially for kids. But the bad part is room service, which needs to improve as well as the breakfast - only two slices of bread.

Sagnik Majumder (April 2014)

I have booked 2 rooms on Annex building. Do they offer complimentary breakfast (i.e. Continental Plan) within the tariff?

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) April 2014

Yes they do ... toast, omlette, bread, butter/jam, tea or puri/sabji/tea etc. But only two slices of thin bread which may not be enough for most. Breakfast however is the same for rooms in both main and Annex buildings.

Abhijit Roy (November 2013)

Dear Raj, As I have planned for Darjeeling in next January I want to book standard double bed room in the main building of the tourist lodge. As I will book through website I am not getting information about the floor. Which floor will be best for view? And one more thing as I have 2 years old daughter can hotel provide 24 hrs water supply in January and also room heater? And above all am I taking risk by going there in January with my little daughter. Please help me as I think you will be the best person to answer these silly questions perhaps.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) November 2013

Hi, The ground floor has restaurant, lounge, bar etc. They will give a room in the upper floor. Room heater is provided, but that may not be adequate for all. So take adequate winter protections. Being a government run lodge, they may not provide extra services like additional room heater etc. It can be biting cold out there and quite demanding out of a 2 years old. If you must go in Jan, choose a hotel with electrical bed heating systems like The Villa Everest. That hotel also has great views from the rooms although it's a bit of a walk to the Mall (about 12-15 minutes).

Nivedita Seal (May 2013)

Dear Raj, I need a little help from you once again. Will you please give me the information about the tariff of Darjeeling Tourist Lodge (main building). Do they give off season discount? In the first week of December will we be able to get the discount ? Thanks

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, May 2013)

You can go to the WBTDC website (mentioned in the above section), go through the booking option and you will get the rates. They will show actual rates (even discounted) depending on the date you choose.

Saurav Ganguli (May 2013)

Dear Raj, Does Darjeeling Tourist Lodge accommodate extra person in standard double bedded (main) room? Since we are a family of 3 persons only, hence it will be quite good if an extra person is allowed. Please guide me about the tariff required for the extra person ( if you have any idea) :) Thanks & Regards

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, May 2013)

They allow extra bed. For tariff call them up or go down to the local WBTDC office.

Parna Sarker (April 2013)

We checked in into Darjeeling Tourist Lodge and found it very clean, secured and quiet. Best staying option for family. No problem if your aged family members are with you. your car can go till the front of the hotel. The road is well maintained. it is not steep and fairly walk-able. There is an ample space to park your vehicle. We got room allotted in the Annex building and trust me it is as good as the rooms are in the main building. Only the view from room's on the 1st floor window open towards the quarter of the sub staffs but 2nd floor rooms don't have this problem. 24 hrs water supply (hot & cold) available. room service is average though they clean the rooms everyday.

Sourav Chowdhury (April 2013)

Hi, I have already booked in Annex Bldg in the tourist lodge since there was no other option and I stuck with WBTDC lodge, but after going through your review I became disappointed. Won't I get any Himalayan range view from the room of Annex Bldg? Again, please update me about the fooding facility.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, April 2013)

Hi, There is no view from most rooms in Annex building. But you can go out to the backside lawn and get all the views. The rooms are smaller compared to the ones in main building (although not really small) and have lesser amenities. You pay far less for the Annex rooms, so obviously you can't expect much here. There is no problem with food.

Prakash Das (March 2013)

Hi there. I am planning to book my stay in Darjeeling in coming April at the annex building of the tourist lodge. Can you please inform about the facilities, services and quality of rooms at the annex building of Darjeeling tourist lodge. Why the price difference is so huge in the main building and the annex building. Is there any option to view the photo of the rooms of annex building.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, March 2013)

Annex building rooms are inferior and therefore the difference in price. In Darjeeling, Annex hotel/building means economy option with low level services. Book rooms in the main building if you are visiting with your family.

Sakti Chaudhuri (March 2013)

As I am planning to visit Darjeeling with my mother, she got problem with her walking .... so pls. tell me how can reach from jeep stand to WBTDC Lodge if I don't opt to walk .... what is the distance exactly.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, March 2013)

You can take a taxi from the jeep stand for a drop to the lodge. From the chowk bazaar (lower Bazaar) jeep stand, it would be some 30-35 minutes uphill walk to the lodge. Even for a normal person, it could be quite tiring, and with luggage it is not doable.

Barbara Craven (February 2013)

Hello Travel Writer, I've done some travel writing myself, years ago. Fun job. Regarding Darjeeling Tourist Lodge: 1. Can foreigners stay there? 2. Are there a quite a few families with children who stay there? I am looking for a quiet resting place while on a 3 month trip, and kids yelling is not restful. 3. Can a car drive right up to the door? 4. Are there options to get back up the hill from the mall? I'm 64. Thanks,

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, February 2013)

Hello, Yes foreigners can certainly stay at Darjeeling Tourist Lodge. During high season, expect lot many families with kids (some of them can be really noisy). Virtually no hotel would be spared unless you choose one of the top end ones like Windamere. Car can drop you right up to the entrance and also pick you up when you leave. But from the Mall, the only option is to walk, and it's a bit of uphill walk although not very difficult. So if you take it easy and slow, you shouldn't have much problems. Actually there is one more option .. a little weird though ..you can take a pony ride from the mall and reach the hotel in 3-4minutes :) Agree... travel writing is fun!! ... Much better when I compare it with my earlier professional day job:) Regards,

Deep (February 2013)

Hi Raj, I am trying to book Darjeeling tourist lodge (Main Building) for 4 days in May. I know I can book it from WBTDC website but website dont give you any option to choose any rooms. I tried to contact their BBD Bag office over phone, but no luck. As I dont stay in Kolkata so dont have an opportunity to go to BBD Bag office and talk to these guys face to face. Any idea how do these guys allocate rooms. Am I on their mercy on what is available when I and up there. Any suggestions will be higly appreciated. Thank You

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com, February 2013)

The rooms are allocated as per the type (price category) you choose. All rooms in the same category are similar in amenities, views etc. So you need not worry.

Shiny (January 2013)

Can you please review or give some more information about wbtdc Darjeeling tourist lodge annex building. how far is it from the main building. Thanks in advance.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) January 2013

The annex building of the tourist lodge is right next to the main hotel building and in the same compound.

Dipanjan (September 2012)

Hi Raj, Finally I have booked my stay at darjeeling tourist lodge. Rs 1800 per night with view and garden looks likr a steal to me considering what others are charging. Hopefully it will be a memorable first trip.

Raj (darjeeling-tourism.com) September 2012

Dipanjan, Yes, Darjeeling tourists lodge is a good choice. Large rooms with balconies and view of the Lebong race course at a distance below. I love them. The only issue may be the service ... government employed staff working since years ... Some of them are nice though.

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