Windamere Hotel, Darjeeling West Bengal

One of a kind and wonderfully idiosyncratic, Windamere has been dragged by its heels by new owners into the 21st century. Well, relatively so. You'll find amenities such as a telephone and TV in some rooms, but you can still expect hot water bottles at turndown, a fire lit every evening in your room at 6 pm, and morning bed tea. Rooms are filled with antique furnishing, old portraits and paintings, the same chintz upholstery as at your grandmother's house, and polished wood to spare. Yes, Windamere has embraced old world charm whilst making certain modern day concessions. Dinner, served at the hands of white-gloved and pinafore-d staff is something out of an episode of Downtown, eaten to the tune of clinking glassware and cutlery. Make sure to play the part and dress up for it. Daily Afternoon Tea (sandwiches, scones, muffins, and what else but Darjeeling tea) is served out on the lawn or the Gazebo, on rattan furniture, with sweeping views out across Observatory Hill. Meant for those looking to experience as authentic a 19th century stay in Darjeeling as possible, nothing comes closer to time travel than a stay at Windamere.