Given India’s status as the fourth largest exporter of tea in the world, it comes as no surprise that tea tourism has developed multifold over the years. With growing curiosity around the beverage, properties have mushroomed within plantations, some dating back a century and now open to the public. Here are 14 resorts in plantations that are surely your cup of tea.
14 tea garden hotels in India
Talayar Valley Bungalow, Munnar, Kerala
Roughly 18km from Munnar town, the journey to the bungalow is nearly as spectacular as the destination. Green carpets of tea plantations and gushing streams gradually give way to hills on either side of the road. The colonial-style bungalow houses four suites, some with a fireplace and others with four-poster beds. It is surrounded by 2,500 acres of plantations (operated by the Woodbriar Group), which shares its border with Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. For those looking beyond the tea experience, there’s plenty to explore nearby, like the Briar Wooden Bridge, Lakkam Waterfalls and Mattupetty Dam. Website; doubles from Rs10,680*
Ging Tea House, Darjeeling, West Bengal
Located within one of the oldest tea plantations in and around the hills of Darjeeling, this property spoils guests with tea in bed. Built in 1864, the heritage tea house is believed to be one of the first colonial tea planter bungalows in the region and has been tastefully restored since. On a tour of the estate, you will learn how the two leaves and a bud are plucked from the bushes and will also be familiarised with the withering, rolling, fermenting, drying and sorting that goes behind the perfect cup of Darjeeling black tea. Don’t miss the sunrise at Tiger Hill. Head out on hikes along the specially curated walking trails of the estate or take a leisurely walk along Lloyd Botanical Gardens. And when the weather doesn't hold up, there are plenty of in-house activities (billiards, library, chess, piano, etc) to keep you occupied. Website; doubles from Rs20,000* for the Heritage Plan (includes breakfast and dinner, a plantation tour, hikes and treks)
Wild Mahseer, Balipara, Assam
Tucked away in the Brahmaputra Valley and tended to by the local communities, Wild Mahseer is where you can soak in the beauty of the Eastern Himalayas. The property comprises a British-era heritage bungalow that sits amid 22 acres, surrounded by tea gardens. Cycling, birding, heritage walks. and excursions to the Botanic Ark Trail, Kaziranga National Park and Nameri National Park could be added to your itinerary. Website; doubles from Rs12,900*
The Outer Space, Sathram, Kerala
Club your tea experience with glamping at The Outer Space. Located on Mount Sathram and surrounded by tea plantations, guests can take in all the wondrous sights around them right from the comfort of their bed through their glass cabin; there are Tower Cabins that sit at a height on stilts and Transparent Cabins that are comparatively smaller. Head out on a trek at dusk and relax by a bonfire at night. Note: The property serves only vegetarian meals. Instagram; doubles from Rs5,000*
Mayfair Tea Resort, Siliguri, West Bengal
A 16th-century structure, this Mayfair property boasts 154 colonial-style rooms, five restaurants, a wellness centre and even a movie theatre on the premises. Located less than a kilometre from the New Chumta Tea Factory, the resort is enveloped in the fragrance of fresh tea. Also within visiting distance are the Bengal Safari Siliguri, Coronation Bridge and Sed Gyued Monastery. Website; doubles from Rs6,200*
Tranquilitea, Ooty and Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
On Tenerife Hill in the Nigiris in Coonoor, a gourmet tea-tasting experience awaits guests at this family-owned enterprise. It’s designed to take one on a sensory journey through the varied colours, aromas and flavours of the high-grown teas of the Nilgiris. All vacation bungalows, villas and suites offered by Tranquilitea across its properties—in both Coonoor and Ooty—come with private manicured gardens to sip your tea in quiet. They offer a tasting experience at an additional cost. The Sanctuary, the latest bungalow in their portfolio on Paradise Hill, offers guided walks through the plantations and a lunch experience featuring Anglo-Indian cuisine. Website; doubles from Rs15,000*
SinnaDorai Bungalows, Valparai, Tamil Nadu
Patchy Wi-Fi connectivity and the lack of a television ensure you spend quality time with nature at the bungalows of SinnaDorai. Serene views of hills and valleys greet guests every morning from these bungalows, once the homes of British-era plantation managers. Step out for morning and evening walks with the in-house guide and birds for company. Opt for the tea trail and pluck your leaves for the ultimate plantation experience, or request a picnic in the wild. Note: SinnaDorai has properties in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, and Sakleshpur, Karnataka, as well. Website; doubles from Rs 11,000*
Banasura Hill Resort, Wayanad, Kerala
This rustic eco-resort—spread over 35 acres surrounded by a tropical forest in a UNESCO World Heritage Site—boasts rammed earth architecture and rustic cottages. Meander through the tea garden and follow the 10-minute path to experience the beautiful Banasura Falls. Besides the nature trails, there’s also a tribal tour and a few adventurous treks to try at this resort. Trek up Chembra Peak, Wayand’s highest at 2,100m, or explore Brahmagiri Hills if you’re an avian enthusiast. Website; doubles from Rs7,000* (including breakfast).
O’Land Plantation Stay, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Wake up to surreal views of the sunrise and the aroma of freshly brewed tea, prepared from leaves plucked from their very own plantation. Nestled in a 120-acre estate, this eco-friendly mountainside homestay has three charming cottages and is roughly an hour from both Coonoor and Ooty. Guests can enjoy a tea-tasting session, watch the leaves get plucked, head out on a trek, or simply sit back and relax. Website; starting room rates from Rs 7,500* (non-peak season)
The Windermere Estate, Munnar, Kerala
Eighteen chalet-style rooms, built around rock formations on a cliff, make up The Windermere Estate. There’s an old-world charm to the place, shrouded in the aromas of tea plantations. Admire the birds and butterflies, or try to spot giant squirrels on a plantation walk. A guided trail of Munnar’s majestic tea gardens, including Kolukumalai, one of India’s highest tea estates, as well as visits to the tea museum and the factories of the Mattupetty and Lockhart estates will leave you with more knowledge about the beverage than you’d expect. Website; doubles from Rs 12,000*
Savoy, Ooty - IHCL SeleQtions, Ooty, Tamil Nadu
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An 189-year-old heritage property, with 40 artful cottage-style rooms surrounded by five acres of lush gardens and the serenity of the Nilgiris—it’s truly as inviting as it sounds. At the tea mixology session, you can discover different Nilgiri teas and also learn how tea can be blended into cocktails and mocktails. Don’t miss their signature Savoy High Tea experience to enjoy a menu that boasts freshly baked cakes, savoury snacks and thuppa thittu (fried sweets that are a speciality of the local Badaga community). Website; doubles from Rs18,000*
Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling, West Bengal
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Glenburn Tea Estate is a must-experience for connoisseurs. While the star experience here is the tea, it’s hard to ignore the stunning setting, spa and beauty treatments, and hikes offered here. Drive or walk down the tea estate to learn about how their tea is grown and processed. Attend a guided tour of the factory and a tasting session to understand the differences in aroma, flavour and appearance of tea. Hike to the gorgeous Ramitay Daara viewpoint, or the Manjitar Suspension Footbridge in Sikkim. Opt for a fishing expedition, or a day trip to Darjeeling town or Kalimpong. Enjoy a barbecue and bonfire at the nearby Glenburn Lodge and Campsite. There’s plenty to keep one occupied at this tea resort. Website; doubles from Rs51,507*
Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa, Kurseong, West Bengal
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Located squarely in the centre of the 1859 Makaibari Tea Estate (Makaibari had the first tea factory in the world) in Kurseong, Darjeeling district, this luxurious Taj property comes with endless expanses of green as well as a clear view of the Kanchenjunga (when the mist clears). Find comfort in the 73 rooms and plantation suites, fitted with spacious balconies ideal to sit back and relax with a cup of tea—the Makaibari second flush fetches as much as $1850 or Rs1.5 lakh per kilogram at tea auctions. If you manage to drag yourself out of the comfort of the four-poster beds, there are forest treks and tea trails to experience. Website; doubles from Rs27,000*
Sourenee Tea Estate & Boutique Resort, Kurseong, West Bengal
Known for its premium black blossom tea, Sourenee Tea Estate covers 99 hectares of plantations in the hills of the Darjeeling district. The three-storey bungalow in Mirik Valley is a 10-bedroom boutique resort surrounded by a tea garden. Get familiar with the leaf-to-cup process, explore the Sourenee Tea Tourism Centre, and enjoy mountain views from your room as you sip on some tea. Facebook; doubles from Rs12,744* (check for the complete package including all meals, refreshments, sightseeing and other activities)
*Prices are subject to change.
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