Your stay — Hotel Princess
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The Property — Hotel Princess
The Hotel Princess is a no-frills 1960s-era property perched on Mall Road, Darjiling's main spine. Its lobby feels lived-in: worn carpets, a reception desk cluttered with trekking pamphlets, and the constant aroma of chai from the adjoining café. It suits budget travellers and backpackers who value location over luxury — the front steps offer unobstructed views of Kanchenjunga on clear mornings.
Chronicles of Darjiling
Darjiling was developed in the 1830s by the British East India Company as a sanatorium and tea-growing centre, after they signed a treaty with the Chogyal of Sikkim. The hill station grew around the Mall and Chowrasta, its colonial core of cottages, churches and public schools. After independence, Darjiling became the hub of the Gorkhaland movement, shaping a distinct Nepali-speaking cultural identity that coexists with Tibetan Buddhist and Lepcha influences. Today, it balances a fading Raj-era charm with modern tourism, its narrow streets packed with shops selling prayer flags, pashmina and the famous Darjiling tea.
Best Time to Visit
Full Darjiling guide →Best months
October-November: crystal-clear views of Kanchenjunga, cool and dry; March-April: rhododendrons bloom, mild weather.
Peak / festival surge
May-June and October-November are peak: Darjiling's toy train and tea gardens draw domestic and international tourists. Hotel prices double, and advance booking is essential. The Darjiling Carnival (November) adds festival buzz.
Budget shoulder season
July-September (monsoon) and December-February (cold) offer 30-50% discounts. July is rainy but quiet; January is freezing but uncrowded — best for budget travellers who don't mind wet boots or thick coats.
Weather & packing
Darjiling has a monsoon climate with fog rolling in by afternoon even in dry months. Pack a waterproof outer layer and waterproof shoes at all times of year — umbrellas are useless in the persistent drizzle.
Live City Briefing — Darjiling
- The Darjiling Himalayan Railway (toy train) resumed daily services in 2026 after a brief closure for track repairs — check timings at the station as delays remain common due to fog and landslides.
- A new plastic ban came into force across Darjiling in early 2026: carry a reusable water bottle and cloth bag — single-use bottles and bags are confiscated at market checkpoints.
- The Mall walking trail is partially closed near Chowrasta for a drainage upgrade until October 2026 — expect diversions and increased traffic on Hill Cart Road.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Princess, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the back of the hotel away from Hill Cart Road. These upper floors get less street noise and have a chance of seeing the Kanchenjunga range in clear weather.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those at the front — they get direct street noise from Hill Cart Road and foot traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift is old and clunks loudly at all hours.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on floors 5 or 6 have partial views of Hill Cart Road and the town rooftops, but back-facing rooms offer the best chance of a mountain view, especially at sunrise.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6 (the top floor) are quietest, as they are furthest from the busy road and the lobby/restaurant.
🔊 Noise notes
Hill Cart Road is a main artery in Darjiling with constant jeeps and taxis honking from early morning until late evening. The hotel's own restaurant and lift are internal noise sources, particularly at meal times.
Insider tips
Ask for a back-facing room at check-in; these are quieter and have mountain views. If you're driving, note that parking is on the road outside — you'll need to double-park, so tip the doorman to watch your car. The hotel can arrange a guided walk to the nearby Batasia Loop for a small fee — do it at dawn to avoid crowds.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Princess
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) throughout; login via room number and surname. No paid upgrade available.
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital PressReader via lobby tablet; no physical newspapers delivered.
Check-in from 12:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00. Late check-out until 14:00 for INR 500 extra, subject to availability.
Free for day of departure if you vacate room by 12:00, otherwise INR 100 per bag per day.
Step-free entrance from street level; lift to all guest floors. No wheelchair-accessible bathroom in any room. Stairs are narrow and steep in the rear wing.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is at Chowrasta (5-min walk), INR 200 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no additional hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Sherpa Monastery (183 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Upasna Kendra (C.N.I) (403 m · ~5 min walk)
- Place of worship: Union Church (437 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Turnbull Church (484 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mahakal Market — 309 m · ~4 min walk
Children's Park — 375 m · ~5 min walk
Himalayan Tibet Museum — 189 m · ~2 min walk
Gorkha Ranga Mancha Bhawan — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Aduwa Ground — 947 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 236 m · ~3 min walk
Darjeeling Pharmacy — 387 m · ~5 min walk
Mini Market — 298 m · ~4 min walk
Darjeeling — 596 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Most travellers change money at authorised forex dealers or banks in Darjeeling town; avoid the airport in Bagdogra – rates are poor and commission high.
Cards accepted in hotels, larger shops and upmarket restaurants, but cash is essential for markets, taxis, street food and small eateries; contactless/pay is limited.
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge. Taxis: round up or 20-50 INR. Hotel staff: 50-100 INR per bag for porters, 100-200 INR for housekeeping per stay.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a local stall or small cafe: 20-40 INR.
A thali (rice, dal, sabzi, papad) at a basic restaurant: 80-120 INR.
A main dish (e.g. chicken curry) at a simple eatery: 100-150 INR.
Head to Chowrasta or the Mall for momos, samosas and jhalmuri; also the area near the Darjeeling bus stand has many cheap stalls.
Local kirana stores are everywhere; for basics try Super Market on Laden La Road or the main vegetable market near Chowk Bazaar.
A local bazaar like Chowk Bazaar or the streets off the Mall for budget clothing and woollens; haggling expected.
Shared jeeps (fixed routes, e.g. from Chowrasta to Ghoom) at 10-30 INR per ride. From Bagdogra airport, take a shared jeep to Darjeeling (250-350 INR per person) – much cheaper than a private taxi (1500+ INR).
Eat at local thali joints or street stalls instead of tourist restaurants. Use shared jeeps and walking – taxis are dear. Buy tea directly from a government emporium or local cooperative, not from souvenir shops.
Good to know — Darjiling
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.44 · INR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Darjiling, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Princess
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 236 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Darjeeling Pharmacy — 387 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Siliguri Junction Bus Stand → Rangpo Bazaar stop
💡 Get off at Rangpo Bazaar, then walk 5 minutes uphill to the lodge. Buses can be crowded; sit on the left side for valley views.
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) → Rangpo Tourist Lodge
💡 Arrange a shared taxi from the prepaid counter to save ₹500-800; the road via Sevoke has sharp bends, so ask for a driver familiar with the route.
Siliguri Junction → Rangpo Tourist Lodge
💡 Sumos leave when full – arrive early morning to wait less. Ask to be dropped at the lodge gate, not the main road, as the driveway is steep.
New Jalpaiguri Station (NJP) → Rangpo Railway Station
💡 Book the 'Joy Ride' ticket in advance (IRCTC). Rangpo station is a whistle-stop; the lodge is a 10-minute walk downhill after alighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Princess?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the back of the hotel away from Hill Cart Road. These upper floors get less street noise and have a chance of seeing the Kanchenjunga range in clear weather.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Princess?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor, especially those at the front — they get direct street noise from Hill Cart Road and foot traffic. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor; the lift is old and clunks loudly at all hours.
Is Hotel Princess noisy?
Hill Cart Road is a main artery in Darjiling with constant jeeps and taxis honking from early morning until late evening. The hotel's own restaurant and lift are internal noise sources, particularly at meal times.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Princess?
Front-facing rooms on floors 5 or 6 have partial views of Hill Cart Road and the town rooftops, but back-facing rooms offer the best chance of a mountain view, especially at sunrise.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Princess?
Ask for a back-facing room at check-in; these are quieter and have mountain views. If you're driving, note that parking is on the road outside — you'll need to double-park, so tip the doorman to watch your car. The hotel can arrange a guided walk to the nearby Batasia Loop for a small fee — do it at dawn to avoid crowds.
What time is check-in at Hotel Princess?
Check-in at Hotel Princess is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Princess have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) throughout; login via room number and surname. No paid upgrade available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Princess?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Princess?
A thali (rice, dal, sabzi, papad) at a basic restaurant: 80-120 INR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Princess?
Shared jeeps (fixed routes, e.g. from Chowrasta to Ghoom) at 10-30 INR per ride. From Bagdogra airport, take a shared jeep to Darjeeling (250-350 INR per person) – much cheaper than a private taxi (1500+ INR).
When is the best time to visit Darjiling?
October-November: crystal-clear views of Kanchenjunga, cool and dry; March-April: rhododendrons bloom, mild weather.
Top Attractions in Darjiling
💡 Go just before sunrise to see the monks lighting butter lamps at the Mahakal temple. The crowd from Chowrasta hasn't arrived yet.
💡 Walk to the far end past the Gandhi statue for a quieter view of the valley. Avoid the pony ride touts near the entrance.
💡 The orchid house is best visited between March and May. Most tourists skip the back section with Himalayan rhododendrons.
💡 Visit early at 8:30 AM when the animals are fed and active. The red panda enclosure has a hidden viewing spot behind the warden's hut.
💡 The room with Tenzing Norgay's personal artefacts is easy to miss—ask the guard. Plan 45 minutes; it's detailed but not huge.