Welcome to
Goomtee Tea Retreat
A haven of peace and beauty where you can relive the magic of an era gone by while enjoying modern comforts, Goomtee Tea Retreat is situated in the lap of Nature at an altitude of 4,150 feet, surrounded by lofty mountains and valleys. It is the perfect getaway from the hustle bustle of daily life and a slice of heaven to destress, recharge, and ‘wash your soul’.
History
The Retreat is an old world English bungalow, located in the world famous Goomtee Tea Estate of Darjeeling, which was established around 1899 by the British planter, Henry Montgomery Lennox. The ‘Bara Bungalow’ as it was then known, used to be home to Henry and his Lady, and after the 2nd World War, it was acquired by the ruling Rana family of Nepal. In the mid 50s it passed on to the Kejriwal family who nurtured the estate and the colonial bungalow for over 6 decades.
The Property
The Retreat
The heritage wing has 4 en-suite bedrooms complete with wooden floors & ceilings, a foyer, living room with fireplace, and a dining and library area. 3 of the bedrooms open out into the garden with resplendent flowers. Each of the rooms have large picture windows to take in the views. A new executive wing has been completed in 2022, comprising of 3 modern bedrooms looking out to the hill beyond. The annex has a hall area with indoor sports, gym equipment and a hangout zone. There is daily Housekeeping and fresh towels are provided.
Start the day with a cup of freshly brewed Darjeeling tea. Soak in the warm sunshine, the cool pristine air and the sounds of silence. There is little more than rustling leaves, singing birds, humming bees and the gurgling rush of mountain streams. You can at times hear the strains of devotional music from quaint temples in the hills. Yet, there is brisk human activity all around you in the tea garden, as cheerful, hardworking pluckers pick the tea leaf at astonishing gradients along the mountain slope.
Accommodations
Classic Interiors
The Family Suite is a sprawling room that opens out into the lawn. It is ideal for couples...
Room Tour
The Explorer Suite gives the cosy feel of a mountain log cabin with wooden wall panelling ...
Room Tour
A room with immense character ! This one too opens out into the lawn and offers sweeping v...
Room Tour
The Rajni suite was named after the superstar who graced it with his presence for a day wh...
Room Tour
Experience
Surroundings
The scenery is breathtakingly absorbing. The view to the North takes in majestic pine trees. As you turn East, you enter the peaceful lawn with amazing sights of Siliguri lights at night. Turning South you gaze at bougainvillea, a hill covered with azalea in season, and moving Westward brings views of more flora and fauna extending to the Goomtee tea factory. Its fascinating to observe the changing hues from the majestic morning sunrise to the evening. It can be so still and silent that you can actually hear yourself thinking amidst the lasting peace and solitude.
View Gallery
Cuisines
Delicious Dining
The local Gorkha people are renowned for their hospitality, and this is reflected by the service at the Retreat. All meals are included in your holiday at Goomtee. The hygienic kitchen is manned by Chef Prem who has been with the Retreat since many decades, and is a mini celebrity with guests. Meals involve use of a lot of local vegetables with emphasis on Indian and local dishes, though you will also sample soups, Italian and some continental items. The Goomtee Retreat kitchen is a vegetarian kitchen with a common dining area for our guests.
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Testimonials
What Visitors Say
"We stayed 3 nights at Goomtee, in the Director’s Bungalow. We had a wonderful time. It is obviously a very old property and you have to make allowances for its antiquity but then that’s part of its charm. The staff were lovely and the food great. The tea is amazing...."
Richard B reviewd on Trip Advisor
"Great old tea bungalow maintained properly and very clean. Food served are made of local vegetables. Nice homely feeling in nature. Small equipped tea factory. Nice people guide throughout the factory followed by tea tasting. Awesome relaxing stay. Will go again...."
Nachiketa C reviewd on Trip Advisor
"This is a tea-garden based bunglow with 4 Rooms, called a Retreat located just one and a half hours from Siliguri amongst lush green tea-gardens and decorated lawns and garden. Its ambience promises to offer a change from the din and bustle of city-life, in peaceful solitude. But its exorbitant room-tariff surprizes you when u find different ..."
Mandrita reviewd on Trip Advisor
"We stayed in this tea garden retreat for one day, the stay was absolutely delightful. It is a serene place with beautiful surroundings (unlike the chaotic Darjeeling city). The experience of guided tour to the tea gardens and tea factory along with the tea tasting sessions was amazing. The kids had a great time in their lush green lawns, badminton,..."
Neham reviewd on Trip Advisor
How to reach
Location
Goomtee tea estate and retreat is located 100 meters off Mahanadi Railway station, which comes to life everytime the huffing and puffing ‘Toy Train’ noisily announces its arrival. It is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours drive from Bagdogra airport either on the Hill Cart Road or via the Rohini road. It’s a 15 minutes drive to Kurseong, located 8 Kms away, while Darjeeling town is approx. 90 minutes drive.
Goomtee Tea Retreat is a year around destination with winter temperatures ranging between 0 and 8 Degrees C, and summers ranging from 12 to 24 Degrees C. While the monsoon period from June to September does limit options for outdoor excursions, it presents enchanting visuals of misty mountains, lush green vegetation and the many springs that grow into streams and waterfall within the estate. Winters can be cold, but you will find warmth by the fireplace in our living room, or an optional bonfire in the garden.
The ultimate warmth will be in the memories you carry back, and the healing force of nature that will keep calling you back to Goomtee.
Goomtee Tea Estate and Retreat, Darjeeling
Goomtee Tea Estate, Hill Cart Road, Near Mahanadi Railway Station (World Heritage Darjeeling Railway), District Darjeeling, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734223
