The Elgin, Darjeeling

The Elgin Hotel, Darjeeling formerly known as The New Elgin is a luxury five-star heritage hotel situated in the heart of Darjeeling. The hotel is owned by Elgin Hotels and Resorts.

History
Built in 1887 around a garden, the property was initially the summer residence of the Maharaja (king) of Cooch Behar and was later leased to British families such as the Pavion and the Oakley family.

In 1965, Kuldip Chand Oberoi of the Oberoi family of hoteliers, bought the hotel with his entire life savings at INR 40,000 where his lessee Nancy Oakley was running it as a guest house. When Oakley departed for England in 1968, a sole proprietorship firm named "New Elgin Hotel" was established and registered, with Mr. Kuldip Chand Oberoi as its sole proprietor.

In 1975, the sole proprietorship firm transitioned into a partnership firm, adopting the name "New Elgin Hotel" with three directors: Mr. Kuldip Chand Oberoi, his wife Mrs. Shanti Devi Oberoi, and his son Mr. Diamond Oberoi.

Subsequently, in 1995, the partnership firm "New Elgin Hotel" evolved into a private limited company, leading to the establishment of "Elgin Hotels Private Limited" with three directors: Mr. Diamond Oberoi, Mrs. Nimmi Oberoi, and Mr. Viraj Oberoi, a structure that remains unchanged to this day.

Preservation Efforts
The hotel, designed in the style of a royal manor house, has undergone extensive refurbishment to reclaim its former grandeur while preserving its rich history.

This includes the incorporation of etchings by Goray Douglas, lithographs by William Daniell, period Burma teak furniture, oak floorboards, paneling, and original fireplaces.

Notable Guests
This hotel has played host to dignitaries like the US Ambassador, the Crown Prince of Sikkim Palden Thondup Namgyal, to French author Dominique Lapierre, British journalist and writer Mark Tully, ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, and former Minister of External Affairs Jaswant Singh and model-actor Milind Soman.

Awards

 * Certificate of Excellence 2012 status by TripAdvisor