Hotel Shovraj, Srikhola
Category: Budget
Shubhasish Sengupta, the proprietor and owner of the property once proudly mentioned to me that they are the only resident Bengali family living permanently in the whole of Singalila Himalayan region where Srikhola is located. He has been running the hotel since 2003.
Hotel Shovraj, Srikhola
Hotel Shovraj is located beside the Srikhola River. A river or stream is locally known as Khola. It is this river on which the place
Srikhola or Sirikhola has been so named.
Shubashish lives here with his family ... wife Sharmistha, son Shovraj, and daughter Shubhangi. So you can easily make out why the hotel has been so named. It is more like a country house or a home stay... 'hotel' is a misnomer.
From the road level, the wooden building is constructed through 4 levels below. There are a total of 7 guest rooms in the entire property and all have attached bathrooms. Couple of rooms have independent entrances so making them look like independent cottages.
Although the road that passes the hotel is now nicely tarred, not long ago this it used to be a gravel mud road and not suitable for small cars. In 2016, PWD has built this new tarred road which of course ends shortly ahead and there is no road beyond that point yet... there is only a trekking trail.
Earlier when it was a mud road, Hotel Shovraj, Srikhola
The rooms are of various capacity... there are two double bedded rooms, two triple bedded rooms, one 4-bedded room, one family room for 6 persons and a dormitory room for 10. A combination of single and queen beds are offered in these rooms and no extra bed is provided. So, this hotel can accommodate a maximum of 30 persons (beds) at a time.
While most rooms have western style toilet, one of the double bedded rooms and the four bedded room have Indian style toilet. Child below 2 years of age stay free while child above 2 pay full adult rate. All rooms are wooden and non smoking. You can however go out and smoke at the open courtyard. They can also pitch tent on their courtyard, however that is separately chargeable.
Shovraj Hotel, Srikhola
Being located by the side of the river, few rooms and vantage points within the lodge have nice views. The open terrace is one such place to get wonderful view of the river flowing below and the mountains around. It's a great place to have tea and soak in the nature.
However do not expect this to be a luxury accommodation by any means. It is after all a budget hotel meant primarily for trekkers and budget travelers, and provides very basic amenities. Most rooms do not have TV, but there is a common room with TV, music system etc. There are few rooms that have balconies and nice views of the forest and the stream.
A room in Shovraj Hotel
Water is available 24-hours at the bathrooms. However, if you need hot water, that is separately chargeable and provided in buckets. There is no geyser in the bathrooms. Power situation here is not good.
Although they have a power backup, the generator, if required, is switched on only between 6pm to 10pm... and after that, you need to use a candle should you need lights.
The best accommodations are the all-wooden cottages, and they all have LED TV with DTH Connection, intercom phones, river view veranda, attached bath with western or Indian toilets.
Dining room, Shovraj Hotel
There is wi-fi but chargeable. The hotel can arrange for Bonfire and Barbecue at additional charges. The hotel offers free car parking only for guests' own cars (not rented or chauffeur driven vehicles). Drivers will be charged for overnight stays at the hotel.
Room rates are on AP plan and includes all meals such as breakfast, lunch, tea & snacks, dinner (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian). Food is mostly Bengali type, although Chinese dishes are also offered.
Hotel Shovraj is affiliated to International Youth Hostel Federation.
Some of the other facilities offered by the hotel includes:
1) A small children's park and memorial stage.
2) A mini library.
3) A common room with TV, music system, indoor games etc.
4) STD/ISD phone, postal facility etc.
5) They can organize local tribal dance and cultural programs on request.
6) Room service and laundry facilities.
7) Local sightseeing tours, treks, fishing, horse riding, camping etc.
Booking & Contacts
Rates provided by booking.com
Hotel Shovraj, Sirikhola, PO-Rimbick, Darjeeling-734201.
Phone: (+91) 9933488243/ 9932216197/ 9832375546
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Visitors' Reviews/Comments
Sandip (January 2024)
This is a place to avoid. We had travelled during 7th Jan and was supposed to stay till the 10th, had to vacate and leave on 8th morning itself due to the utter unprofessional and unhospitable attitude to Mr. Sengupta who is devoid of any idea how to welcome guests and provide bare minimum hospitality and service.
Food was pathetic and was given in a way which we won't give to anyone even free of cost. Worse is the attitude. Initially we were to travel to Tumling on 9th but was advised by one Mr. Saha (who is running the property on lease as mentioned by Sengupta) that we stay put and do the jungle trek instead and confirmed all arrangements, our biggest mistake we went by that.
After reaching this remote location, Sengupta suddenly mentioned that it's not confirmed and our entire itinerary was jeopardized. He refused to take any responsibility of the goof-up and was adamant and put all the blame on Mr. Saha who was neither reachable on calls and had left the day before we arrived.
Reasoning and arguing was no point as all our (5 of us) plan had gone for a toss. We decided to leave the very moment, stopped a vehicle standing on the road, booked and left the property instantly.
Sengupta's attitude was like we are at his whims and mercy now that we are already here at this remote location. Sad place with sad people.
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