11 Monteviot: Luxury homestay overlooking a tea estate — Hotel in West Bengal

There are certain places and certain people that leave a lasting impact on you and create memories for a lifetime. The 11 Monteviot at Kurseong under the aegis of Aunty Tuhina splendidly come together to create more than that and leave you asking for more. My stay here for two nights was the perfect end to my 10 day holiday, allowing me to savor the slow pace of life and wishing that I never have to go back home (that's how holidays should be, no?)

It's the little things that matter and 11 Monteviot ticks all the boxes in that aspect. The personalized feeling lent by Vartika who reached out to me (as soon as I made the booking) to understand any special requirements including suggestions for places to explore, the comfort provided by Aunty Tuhina (aka Mama Bear) to cater to my need of home made food on the day of my arrival (after a week of intense trekking) and also the following day (yes, she made south Indian rasam, poriyal and even a surprise chocolate cake), the warm welcome provided by the in house star and ever curious Mowgli (their 2 year old Alsatian) everytime I stepped out and returned, the easy conversations with Uncle Parimal regaling one with stories from his plantation days...all goes to show how the family is more than willing to open up their home and hearts to make your stay as comfortable as it can get.

I stayed in the room on the first floor and it was picture perfect...the tastefully done interiors with the right choice of woodwork and fittings, the panoramic views of the lush tea estate with the mighty Kanchenjunga in the background, the thoughtfully worded note in the room about the bungalow with the house rules along with places to explore in and around Kurseong...I couldn't have asked for more.

11 Monteviot leaves you with a "ghar waali" feeling and I would definitely recommend it as a stay once done with the touristy and chaotic Darjeeling (about 30 kms away)...I for sure have found a home away from home and am definitely coming...

A home away from home doesn't quite capture the true essence of this place. When we arrived here for just a day, little did we know that the four-day experience would leave an indelible mark on us. It was nothing short of a life-changing journey. The beauty of this place defies description, and the warmth of its people surpasses it even further. During our stay, we became so engrossed in the surroundings that we forgot about the outside world.

The hospitality of the house staff was exceptional, and their culinary skills were beyond compare. "Delicious" falls short in describing the flavors of their Nepalese thali; we simply couldn't get enough of it. Moreover, the room offered an awe-inspiring view of the valley and the tea plantations-draped mountains. Each morning, the gentle light seeping through the glass windows greeted us with a sense of peace and serenity.

Our host, Parimal uncle, a true tea connoisseur, became more than just a host to us. Over these four days, a deep bond of friendship formed, and we engaged in long conversations about the place, the history of his ancestral house, his incredible experiences in the tea estate, his family, and so much more, all while savoring endless cups of tea and glasses of wine in the evenings. He now holds a place in our hearts, almost like a father figure.

No words can fully capture the emotions we felt during our stay here. We depart with heavy hearts, but with a promise to return soon for an extended stay, and perhaps even explore the idea of setting up our studio nearby someday.

This home has become an integral part of our hearts, and we carry this profound attachment safely within us, cherishing it for a lifetime.

P.S. If you are a dog person, be prepared to fall in love...

A place can be beautiful, but it becomes all the more special because of the people we meet there. Tuhina aunty and Parimal uncle proved that with the warmth and love they extended us at their home, 11 Monteviot, where we spent the weekend. It's their warmth and conversations that makes the stay here really special. It surely made our stay truly wonderful.

Located beside a beautiful tea garden, away from Kurseong's centre and in a quiet locality, 11 Monteviot is a beautiful home, originally built by a tea planter, with an extended annex where the homestay rooms are located. We stayed at the Orchid room that has a beautiful large balcony overlooking the tea garden and the distant mountains. The room was clean and excellent, very much like a star rated hotel room, with all the required amenities. The cafes are about a 10 minutes' walk (except Margaret's Deck, which is far), which we felt was okay since we wanted the homestay to be at a quiet place and away from the crowd. The homestay was at a residential area. The breakfast was wonderful with fresh fruits, homemade marmalade and specially prepared eggs. This is really the perfect place where anyone can spend a quiet peaceful time away from the hustle bustle of the city. The bonus being the warm, engaging and long conversations you can have there with Tuhina aunty and Parimal uncle.

Of course, the absolute star of the place is Mowgli, a 1.5 year old Alsatian, who's the goodest boy. Do pet him and/or play with him and see his joy. He's the perfect host, I must say.

I will visit 11 Monteviot again whenever I want to have a quiet, peaceful and a relaxing time where I can have the amenities of a hotel and the...