The Elgin Silver Oaks is the oldest heritage hotel in the magical town of Kalimpong. Kalimpong itself is renowned for its foggy mornings, vibrant orchids, lavish orchards, bustling markets, serene monasteries, and stunning British colonial structures. Perfect for a few days’ retreat from the hustle of daily life, Kalimpong is home to several laidback resorts. Among them, the Elgin Silver Oaks stands apart for its British architecture and vintage aesthetics.
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Location of the Elgin Silver Oaks:
The heritage resort is centrally located at Rinking, Pong Road in Kalimpong. The main market area of Kalimpong is just a stone’s throw away from the resort. The prime attractions of Kalimpong such as the Delo Park and Durpin Monastery are located within a 5 km radius. Also, the famous cafés and restaurants such as Café Kalimpong and Za Khang are located within a 1.5 to 2 km distance.
History of the Elgin Silver Oaks:
The Elgin Silver Oaks used to be the residence of a British jute baron. It was built back in the 1930s. Later, the jute magnate sold this luxurious property to famous architect, Frederick Deshraj, who is also credited with building the old Teesta bridge.
The Oberoi group acquired this beautiful property in the 1980s. Afterwards, another floor was added along with more windows and thus an opulent boutique heritage resort was born in the Himalayas.
About the Elgin Silver Oaks:
The Elgin Silver Oaks is a picturesque heritage hotel. Built in the British colonial fashion, it resembles a manor nestled inside the English countryside. Painted in soothing grey with a contrast of bottle green roofs and window sills, the hotel is indeed a sight to behold. The climbers on the walls soared its vintage charm.
The boutique hotel is brimming with old-world charm and vintage aesthetics as well as modern amenities and gracious hospitality. It stands out for perfectly blending history, heritage, architecture, and nature.
The building overlooks a lush garden teeming with roses, asters, poinsettia, camellia, petunia, iris, pansies, and so on. A koi pond is stashed in one serene corner. The trees in the garden serve as nests for various birds. Every morning, you will wake up to their tweets and trills.
The garden also has two gazebos. The gazebos are perfect for sipping Darjeeling tea while basking in the refreshing winds of the Himalayas. You can also unwind under the umbrellas and even feast your eyes on the Kanchenjunga on a clear day. The hotel’s pet dog, Faroh, and two pet cats will surely keep you company.
Rooms in this heritage resort:
The Elgin Silver Oaks has 25 rooms in total. The rooms are aesthetically furnished with timeless furniture. The classy interiors are characterized by pastel wall paints, panelling, pillars, and chandeliers. All rooms here offer views of the valley as well as the Himalayas.
Dining at the Elgin Silver Oaks:
The only downer at Elgin Silver Oaks is the food. From the crumpled menu card (which has been lazily printed out and bunched together) to the bland food, the dining experience was simply passable. It was rather substandard (when compared with other heritage and luxurious properties).
From continental to south Indian, the breakfast buffet had a host of food items. However, the food was forgettable. The same goes for dinner. We had ordered pasta, which was so bland that we couldn’t finish the plate. We also had Fish & Chips, and it was the worst of the lot.
Things to do in this boutique hotel:
The Elgin Silver Oaks is perfect for unwinding:
- Sit inside one of the gazebos and enjoy the chirping of the birds while relishing a cup of Darjeeling tea.
- Take a stroll on the lawn and venture into the gardens for a morning stroll.
- Immerse yourself with a book from the hotel’s huge library.
- You can also rejuvenate yourself at the delightful spa of the hotel.
- Enjoy your high tea while enjoying a panoramic view of Kalimpong from the hotel’s lawn.
- Rejoice in the lounge in the evening.
Important FAQs:
How can I reach the Elgin Silver Oaks?
By train: Opt for any of the overnight North Bengal trains from Sealdah railway station (such as 13147 Uttarbanga Express, 12343 Darjeeling Mail, and, 12377 Padatik Express) and reach New Jalpaiguri station in the morning. You can also look for day trains from Howrah station such as 22301 Vande Bharat Express and 12041 Shatabdi Express.
By bus: Since train tickets in North Bengal always remain high in demand, you can travel by sleeper Volvo buses, which start from Esplanade and are quite comfy. Moreover, multiple buses of NBSTC (North Bengal State Transportation Corporation) ply daily from Kolkata. However, these buses are mostly Spartan, and hence quite uncomfortable for a long 14-15 hours of journey.
By air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, which in turn is very well-connected with important Indian cities.
How can I book a room at the Elgin Silver Oaks?
You can visit the official website of the Elgin Hotels to book a stay at this Kalimpong property.
What is the room rent at the Elgin Silver Oaks?
The price of a room starts from INR 7500 per night.
Which places in Kalimpong are worth visiting?
Visit the serene Delo Park, Durpin Monastery, Tharpa Choling Monastery, Pine View Cactus Nursery, Dr Graham’s Home, MacFarlane Church, and Morgan House. You can find a detailed guide on Kalimpong here
