British Boarding Houses from the Raj Days

The colonial days might have become a matter of the past but the remnants of that period still live on. When the British came to India, they built a number of boarding houses and bungalows for accommodation purposes. From the typical Victorian-style architecture to large verandahs and overhead paddled fans, the past is very much alive in these Colonial structures which have now been turned into hotels. Here’s a list of the places where you can snugly slip back to the Raj days:

1. The Windamere Hotel, Darjeeling

Previously known as the Ada Villa, this place was constructed in 1841. Later in late 1880s, it was converted into a Boarding House to provide accommodation for the British planters and other Raj types on contract here. This Boarding House was a home-away-from-home for them. The “lady of the house” used to take care of all their needs and requirements related to food, laundry etc. Till today, the Windamere Hotel has never been renovated but restored, in order to maintain its Colonial charm. It still retains the original Planter Suites which now are known as The Royal Suites. If you want to experience the Colonial era and relive the boarding house days, then the Windamere hotel is a must-stay colonial hotel for you.

2. Ivanhoe House, Darjeeling

Built in 1841, the Ivanhoe House served as a summer retreat for Mrs. Mackie, the owner of the Mokrung Tea Estate in Assam. This place was transformed into a boarding house for the British families only in 1871. The place has been carefully restored so that it retains its old grandeur. Once you step into this structure, you can take a tour down the memory lane as the decor will remind you of the colonial days. Even the rooms still retain the fireplaces. Each room at Ivanhoe House is equipped with modern amenities such as television, modern bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and dressing table etc. to make your stay a comfortable experience. A stay at the Ivanhoe house will give you a rich feeling of how the life was during the colonial days.

3. Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Located on the outskirts of Kurseong and snuggled in the foothills of the Himalayas, this British colonial home offers a majestic view of the snow-capped Kanchenjunga. This place once served as the residence of the District Magistrate P.B Cochrane. The wooden floors and walls with intricate cast iron furniture will give you a rich colonial feeling. The place also offers a stunning view of the Ambootia and Makaibari tea estate. The decor of each room is a perfect blend of the ancient and the modern world. The decor of the rooms are embedded with colonial heritage but at the same time, the rooms also offer all modern facilities such as tea maker, modern bathroom, closet, workstation, television, laundry service, and so on.