You won’t believe how many awesome and best homestays in Darjeeling there are! This gorgeous hill station in West Bengal is among the most beautiful places to visit in India. Instead of staying at a hotel, pick a good homestay option to experience Darjeeling at its best. A homestay is typically a local house that’s extended as a guest house to travelers. While the owners of the property will stay in one part of the house, you will be given separate rooms to stay in. Some homestays will allow you to make your own food as well. You will also find a good homestay in Darjeeling tea estates. To help you weigh your options, we have a list of the very best homestays in Darjeeling. Check it out below and find one that best suits your needs.
Great Homestays in Darjeeling:
While couchsurfing in India is fairly new, homestays have been around for much longer. You can stay at these incredible and best homestays in Darjeeling even when making an emergency trip on last minute flights. Have a look at some of the best homestays you can consider staying at during your trip to Darjeeling.
1. Happy Valley Homestay
Where: 29, Hooker Road Darjeeling, Lebong Cart Road, Darjeeling 734101.
Phone: (+91) 8101644723
Happy Valley Homestay Darjeeling is situated barely 15 minutes from the popular lower market area. The owners stay on the top floor of the same house you will be lodged in. You will have the amazing chance to experience the local way of life as well as enjoy delicious homemade food. Another big advantage is that Happy Valley Homestay is within walking distance of many popular tourist attractions in Darjeeling.
2. Nestle Homestay
Where: Below District Magistrate’s Office, Convent Road, Haridas Hatta, Darjeeling 734104
Phone: (+91) 9434209954
With just three rooms, Nestle Homestay is among the best homestays in Darjeeling. Nestle Homestay Darjeeling, West Bengal is run by a retired local couple. It is located in a quiet area of the lower market region. From the terrace, you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding hills and the township below. While you can certainly enjoy lip-smacking homemade food, you are more than welcome to lend a hand to make it as well.
3. Snow Lion Homestay
Where: 27A Gandhi Road, Darjeeling 734104
Phone: (+91) 98008 69590
Snow Lion Homestay Darjeeling, West Bengal is among the best places to stay when visiting the region on business class flights. The homestay is located within walking distance of the mall and the local Tibetan family that owns the property stays on the top floor. You will stay in rooms done up in pine wood wall panels and Italian tile flooring. The family will make you feel at home as you enjoy breakfast with them in the kitchen.
4. Samir’s Homestay
Where: 10A Hermitage Road, Darjeeling 734104
Phone: (+91) 9733367066, 7407247783
A three-story cottage, this is among the best homestays in Darjeeling you can stay at. Samir’s Homestay Darjeeling, West Bengal has rooms on top for tourists and offers spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga. The rooms have wood paneling, western toilets, and other modern furnishings. There is Wi-Fi available as well. The family offers a mouthwatering breakfast you can gorge on before taking off sightseeing for the day. You have the option to cook your own meals as well.
5. Himalayan Inn Homestay
Where: Upper Bhutia Basti, CR Das Road, adjacent to Deshbandhu Museum, Darjeeling 734104
Phone: (+91) 7866830106, 9733010482
Offering modern and posh amenities, Himalayan Inn is among the best homestays in Darjeeling. Operated by a local Nepali couple, the homestay offers a comfortable experience to visitors. The owners stay on the top floor while the bottom one is reserved for guests. The rooms are furnished extremely well and come attached with a bath, geysers, western toilet, and shower facilities. If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, this is one of the best homestays in Darjeeling for budget travelers.
Best Time to Visit Darjeeling:
Since Darjeeling is a hill station, it can be a bit harshly cold to visit during the winter. However, if you’re used to that kind of weather, you can opt to visit and stay at some of the best homestays in Darjeeling during this time. Avoid visiting during the monsoon as incessant rainfall may block many of the roads in Darjeeling. Ideally, the best time to visit Darjeeling is from February to mid-April and mid-August to November. Summers are also a good time to visit Darjeeling as they are warmer than most other places.
How to Reach Darjeeling:
Bagdogra Airport is the nearest one to Darjeeling and is well-connected to major cities. You can book cheap flights to Kolkata and take a connecting one to Bagdogra from there. New Jalpaiguri is the nearest railway head to Darjeeling. It offers regular train services to and from Darjeeling to major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Regular bus services are available to Darjeeling from towns such as Siliguri, Kalimpong, and Kurseong. You can also opt to drive from here to one of the best homestays in Darjeeling.