Iconic 'Planters' Club' set to reopen its doors to discerning tourists in the 'Queen of Hills' in a new avatar

Come 21 April and the iconic Planters' Club of Darjeeling (originally called Darjeeling Club) in the picturesque hill district of Bengal-Darjeeling, often known as the "Queen of Hills" will re-open its doors in a new avatar to the most discerning tourists, after a lull of nine years.

- RITWIK MUKHERJEE

Founded by British officers, army personnel and tea planters in 1868, this-one of the last relics of the Raj, was, for long, one of the most sought-after addresses in Darjeeling not just for its view of the Kanchenjungha but also because of its rich history and location.

The land, on which the club was built, had been donated by the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Nripendra Narayan Bhoop Bahadur. A.N. Banerjee, the proprietor of Happy Valley tea garden, was the first Indian to be elected as the president of the club in 1971 and Eudon Lhamu, a retired Indian Foreign Service officer, was the first woman to get a membership in 1992.

British mountaineer George Mallory's fateful 1924 Everest expedition began from this club.

A couple of oxygen cylinders from that expedition are kept at the entrance of the club as mementos.

The club has five original "Snaffles" paintings donated by D.G.S. Osbourne, the club's president from 1931-33, and also the Maxim's Gun.

Speaking to The Statesman, Dawa Sangay, a home-grown entrepreneur from Darjeeling and the owner of Jigden Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd, that has given the heritage property its new look and feel, keeping the grandeur of the Raj era intact, shares his side of this fascinating story.

Excerpts:

Q: What attracted you to take up running of the property?

A: I've always had a deep appreciation for heritage spaces and the stories they hold.

When I came across this property, I was struck by its old-world charm and historical significance.

The idea of bringing it back to life—while preserving its character—was something that truly excited me.

It felt less like a business decision and more like a passion project.