Set in the Himalayas on a hillock above the banks of the River Rungeet, this peaceful little tea plantation retreat offers the perfect place in which to discover Darjeeling. Featuring two comfortable, private and beautifully furnished 4-bedroom bungalows, the views of the world’s third largest mountain, Kanchenjunga are magnificent. Owned by tea planters for generations, visitors can tour the working tea estate, enjoy mountain activities, and feast on delightful Indian, Oriental and Western cuisine.
Rate from 35,000INR/night for 2 persons all inclusive.
The Prakash Family
Your Hosts and The Team
“Started by a Scottish tea company in 1859, Glenburn then passed into the hands of one of India’s pioneering tea planting families – The Prakashes – also known as the “Chaiwala family” - which literally means “tea planters”.
The story of the Chaiwala family began over a hundred years ago, and is closely entwined with that of tea plantations in India. Today, the third and fourth generation Prakash family carry almost a century of tea knowledge in their inheritance, and we invite you to experience this legacy at Glenburn Tea Estate.”
Husna - Tara Prakash is one of the main forces behind the beautiful Glenburn Tea Estate and Glenburn Penthouse. It began when she wished to make use of her husband’s family tea estate. Despite not having any experience in hospitality or in running a hotel she used her heart, devotion, dedication and the dynamic local community team to develop the estate into what it is today.
Glenburn is spread across 1,600 acres, 600 of which are for tea. The other 1,000 remain forest with two rivers running through the property. Renovating these luxury bungalows took a long time. Before Glenburn Tea Estate came to the Prakash family, the properly belonged to a large tea company that owned 52 estates, and every three years a new manager and his wife moved into the bungalows. The new madam of the house would come in, and wanted to change something here, paint something there. There were layers and layers of personality left behind at the bungalow. Husna-Tara wanted to restore it to its initial glory.
The tea experience that you will get at Glenburn is unique. You taste the teas, learn about the local community, and see the 4000 families that live there. The genuinely passionate story about Glenburn Tea Estate’s little creation slowly spread and was picked up by the media. They thought it wonderful, and that the experience was real and authentic. Thanks to the praise from visitors, the hotel is now very much a core part of the tea estate. Moreover, Husna-Tara’s strong sense of community makes Glenburn Tea Estate special. The property is not just a physical entity, it is the generations and community of people that are part of it. All the staff and local community are part of what make Glenburn Tea Estate possible.
To give back to the community, Husna-Tara and her family started an education sponsorship program for children, a nursery and kindergarten, and created jobs for the community. Her goal is to make the whole Glenburn Tea Estate community proud of what they have achieved.
Glenburn is spread across 1,600 acres, 600 of which are for tea. The other 1,000 remain forest with two rivers running through the property. Renovating these luxury bungalows took a long time. Before Glenburn Tea Estate came to the Prakash family, the properly belonged to a large tea company that owned 52 estates, and every three years a new manager and his wife moved into the bungalows. The new madam of the house would come in, and wanted to change something here, paint something there. There were layers and layers of personality left behind at the bungalow. Husna-Tara wanted to restore it to its initial glory.
The tea experience that you will get at Glenburn is unique. You taste the teas, learn about the local community, and see the 4000 families that live there. The genuinely passionate story about Glenburn Tea Estate’s little creation slowly spread and was picked up by the media. They thought it wonderful, and that the experience was real and authentic. Thanks to the praise from visitors, the hotel is now very much a core part of the tea estate. Moreover, Husna-Tara’s strong sense of community makes Glenburn Tea Estate special. The property is not just a physical entity, it is the generations and community of people that are part of it. All the staff and local community are part of what make Glenburn Tea Estate possible.
To give back to the community, Husna-Tara and her family started an education sponsorship program for children, a nursery and kindergarten, and created jobs for the community. Her goal is to make the whole Glenburn Tea Estate community proud of what they have achieved.
Rooms
The Burra Bungalow
The Burra Bungalow
PICTURES >
Home to generations of planters with its sweeping main verandah, cozy living room (with fireplace and library) and grand dining room where candle-lit dinners are held, the bungalow hosts 4 separate charmingly decorated guestrooms each following a different theme. Some are suites with a single room attached to the main suite allowing comfortable accommodation for a third (or fourth) person sharing the suite, and each of them open on to the main verandah and with private access to the gardens behind the main bungalow.
The Water Lily Bungalow
The Water Lily Bungalow
PICTURES >
With 4 suites and a stunning location on the edge of the Glenburn spur, the bungalow comprises a living room, smaller dining room, two verandahs and garden areas laid out on two levels and connected to The Burra Bungalow by a stone staircase. All four bedrooms have direct views of the mountains and are set with antique furniture, private balconies and bay windows or sitouts. The bathrooms have antique free-standing bathtubs, each with a view, walk-in rain showers and old fashioned washstands with Venetian mirrors.
Facilities and Highlights
24h Reception
Concierge/Tour Desk
Wifi
Boutique
Gay Friendly
Historic House
Eco Friendly
Nature
Garden
Spa/Massage
Bar/Lounge
Restaurant
Cooking Class
Art/Antiques
Artisan Village
Birdwatching
Trekking
Farm/PlantationShow/hide facilities
Facilities and Highlights
-
24h ReceptionConcierge/Tour DeskWifiBoutiqueGay FriendlyHistoric HouseEco FriendlyNatureGardenSpa/Massage
- Bar/LoungeRestaurantCooking ClassArt/AntiquesArtisan VillageBirdwatchingTrekkingFarm/Plantation
- All meals, snacks and refreshments are included. The menus comprise a range of cuisine from local fare and traditional Indian dishes, to exotic South-East Asian delicacies, and some European dishes making full use of the fresh herbs, salad, vegetables and fruit from Glenburn’s garden.
- The Glenburn Tea Plantation is run by the 3rd and 4th generations of the ‘Chaiwala’ family, or tea planters, hiring over a thousand local workers on the estate.
Useful Information
GENERAL
Total number of rooms: 8Annual closing:
open all year
Time zone: (GMT+05:30) New Delhi
Currency accepted: INR
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Electricity voltage: 230V
Electricity plug type:
CONCIERGE
Your concierge is ready to assist you with planning and completing your reservation, contact them on dream@secret-retreats.comACCESS
3 hours' drive north from Bagdogra airport, to the border of Sikkim.Airport: Bagdogra (IXB) - 75 km
Station: New Jalpaiguri Station - 75 km
Secret Retreats Concierge can assist you with arranging roundtrip private transfers.:
CONTACT
Near Singritan, 734101 Darjeeling West Bengal, IndiaCONTACT HERE
We Care
The Glenburn Welfare Trust was set up in 2005 to promote education, culture and good health within the Glenburn community. To improve health Dr. Dame Margaret Austin conducts regular workshops on safety in the workplace and teaches First Aid to the local staff and their families.
The estate also works with local government primary schools to enhance their facilities by introducing nursery and kindergarten classes, paying for more teachers to increase the ratio of teachers to children, and carrying out infrastructure repairs. In addition, the Glenburn Welfare Trust has established a Scholarship Fund to provide better educational opportunities for children who live within the Glenburn Tea Estate at five privately run schools. There are currently 41 children in this program. Efforts are also being made to ensure that these children work towards a good vocational career after they graduate, so that they will have the ability to financially support themselves and their families on completion of their studies.
The estate also works with local government primary schools to enhance their facilities by introducing nursery and kindergarten classes, paying for more teachers to increase the ratio of teachers to children, and carrying out infrastructure repairs. In addition, the Glenburn Welfare Trust has established a Scholarship Fund to provide better educational opportunities for children who live within the Glenburn Tea Estate at five privately run schools. There are currently 41 children in this program. Efforts are also being made to ensure that these children work towards a good vocational career after they graduate, so that they will have the ability to financially support themselves and their families on completion of their studies.
“A working tea plantation since 1859 Glenburn offers fine teas and fine accommodations. Just eight guestrooms set within two British colonial period bungalows. Each guestroom has its own unique style and homey feel. Glenburn is the perfect getaway for couples and families.”
Kim, the discoverer.
@secretretreats