Feel The Raj Era : Stay in These Hotels

There are a number of luxury hotels across India that echoes of the Raj-era. If you want to step back a century and experience a slice of that period, then a stay in these hotels is a must:

1. Nilambagh Palace, Bhavnagar

Built in 1859, this hotel was the residence of the Gohil dynasty of Bhavnagar. The architecture of this hotel was planned by  Mr. Simsom, a German architect. It is a perfect blend of royal exuberance and modern facilities with a hint of aristocracy.

2. Windamere Hotel, Darjeeling

Each wall and each room of this colonial hotel in India has its own unique story left behind by the personalities who once stayed in this hotel. It still has the Royal suites once used by the Raj-era planters. Theses suites have been renamed after the personalities who stayed here. For instance the Knebworth (named after the mansion of Lord Cobbold in England), Chogyal of Sikkim (named after their famous guest the King of Sikkim). Windamere hotel, the only authentic colonial hotel in Darjeeling, was previously known as Ada Villa and was used as a Boarding house for the British Planters. If you want to experience the Raj-era, then stay at the Windamere hotel during your next visit to Darjeeling.

3. Wallwood Garden, Coonoor

This hotel was built a century ago by a Scottish Major General. Later, it was sold to a British couple just after the World War I who turned it into a boarding house. The place overlooks the magnificent Nilgiri Hills and has still maintained its colonial atmosphere.

4. The Ramgarh Bungalows, Kumaon

Built is the early 1900s, the Ramgarh Bungalows is a group of 6 elite bungalows. Now re-furbished, these bungalows were once used as Guesthouse and Dak bungalows by the officers of the British Empire. Tucked away amidst the lush Kumaon hills, each of the bungalows offers stunning vistas and is ideal as a hillside hideaway. These bungalows housed guests such a Rabindranath Tagore, and Jawaharlal Nehru.

5. West View, Ranikhet

Spread in an area of about 5.25 acres and surrounded by fir and pine forests, the West View hotel was built in 1918. Furnished in rich colonial style, the luxury suites offer a breathtaking view of the valley. This elegant building has 11 double rooms and 7 luxury suites. The Annexe block of this hotel houses two royal suites- the West View and the West Mount suites. The architecture of these suites resembles the English Baroque style of architecture which is also known as Queen Anne style.