Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Cochrane Place, Kurseong

A Heritage Resort with a blend of Tea, Train and Tranquility

See also: FAM (Familiarization) Tour of Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Located on the outskirts of the town of Kurseong (near Darjeeling) is Cochrane Place, the restored and recreated residence of Percy John Cochrane, MBE (1866 – 1944), Honorable Magistrate and Barrister of Kurseong Town.

Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Cochrane Place, Kurseong

It was known as “the Hermitage” because of its splendid vista and tranquility. The original structure was dismantled in 2004 and remodeled into Cochrane Place Resort.

Cochrane Place is a heritage resort with an unique blend of tea, trains and tranquility. Restored in stone, log and cast iron splendor, Cocharne Place  is a botique hotel for guests looking for warm and friendly ambiance.

Perched high up on the ridge, Cochrane Place offers breathtaking views of the mighty Kanchenjunga and also of the rolling tea gardens.

Combining old world charm and modern amenities, Cochrane Place rooms are cozy and comfortable. Each of the 31 rooms of Cochrane Place have their distinctive character and reflect the spirit of the British Raj. Each of the rooms are complete with Burma Teak four poster beds, wood paneling and flooring, hand crafted furniture and false fire places. (See: Tariff)

Rooms of Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Rooms of Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Deluxe Rooms (single: 1, double: 9, total: 10) of Cocharne Place are located in the original wing of the hotel and are named after the peaks of the Eastern Himalayas. Each of the deluxe rooms are provided with an attached bathroom, a small sitting area and a balcony overlooking the valley and the tea gardens.

Family Suites (total:3) are ideal for a family of 4/5. The suites feature a master bed room with two single beds, cozy sitting area, attached bathroom and a large balcony offering views of Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Standard Rooms (single:3, double: 15, total:18) are located in the Annex wing of Cochrane Place and are more compact, making them cozy and warm. They are simply furnished and affordably priced. The standard rooms are named after the sectors of Indian railway and Indian spices.

Cocharne Place is designed with antique furniture, paintings, lithographs and object of art, evoking warm memories of bygone era.

Artifacts and objects of art, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Artifacts and objects of art, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Cochrane Place also has a number of lobbies and lounges. The ground floor lobby houses a small library next to a mock fire place, while the first floor lobby has an antique piano. The first floor also houses Douglas Lounge, studded with comfortable sofas and glass top tables.

Lobbies and Lounges, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Lobbies and Lounges, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Guests at the Cochrane Place can rejuvenate at the hotel spa and salon, which offers stick massage and green tea facial. The sports enthusiast can try a game of snooker or table tennis at the games room.

Spa and Games Room, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Spa and Games Room, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

The Chai Country is Cocharne Place’s exclusive tea salon and restaurant, offering panoramic views and also has an open air section.

Chai Country (including the open area), Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Chai Country (including the open area), Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Chai Country serving an interesting mix of tea from Darjeeling, Assam and Dooars. Tea enthusiasts can try special  hot and cold teas, blended with seasonal fruits & flowers along with exotic ayurvedic herbs and honey.

Food and tea at Chai Country, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Food and tea at Chai Country, Cochrane Place, Kurseong. Top Row (L – R): Gandruk Soup, Baked Tea Salad, Rainbow Rice and Baked Ginger Pudding with tea sauce. Bottom Row (L – R): Tea Liqueurs, Rose Tea, Lemon Tea and Pan Chai

Most food at the Chai Country is inspired by the colonial times and the recipes date back to the days of the British Raj. Rainbow Rice, along with Mrs. Framjee’s Chicken Curry, are Cochrane Place’s signature dishes. The menu of Chai Country is not only restricted to the British or Anglo – Indian taste, but also contains an interesting mix of Indian, Chinese and Tibetian cuisine.

Panoramic view of Tea Gardens, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Panoramic view of Tea Gardens, Cochrane Place, Kurseong

People interested in short excursions can take a Tea Walk, covering the tea plantation and the tea processing factory at Makaibari. The town of Kurseong offers an interesting mix of nature and heritage. Last but not the least, is a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR).

This trip was part of a FAM (Familiarization) Tour of Cochrane Place, Kurseong

Contact details of Cochrane Place, Kurseong:

M: +91 99320 35660, Ph: +91 354 2330703, Email: host@imperialchai.com, Website: www.imperialchai.com and  www.cochraneplacehotel.com

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  1. May 7, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    How is the connectivity with Curseong town and Darjeeling from Cochrane?

    • May 7, 2014 at 9:15 AM

      Dear Suvo, Cochrane Place is on the Pankhabari Road, just before Kurseong (if you are coming from Siliguri/NJP/Bagdora).

      Connectivity is not good from Darjeeling and Kurseong, but if you are staying in Cochrane you have to hire a car for the sightseeing in Darjeeling and Kurseong.

  2. May 8, 2014 at 10:06 PM

    Ll love to visit it once!!! For sure!!!

    • May 13, 2014 at 9:20 PM

      Do visit the place. Cochrane Place is an experience by itself!!!!

  3. indrani
    May 9, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    I had halted at Kurseong for a while for lunch, wish I had explored the place a little more.
    Terrific pictures.

    • May 13, 2014 at 9:29 PM

      Thanks Indrani for your constant inspiring comments.

      Kurseong has always lived in the shadows of its more illustrious sister Darjeeling. Kurseong has always served as a stop over for a quick bite of momo and a sip of tea en-route Darjeeling.

      But the town of Kurseong has much more to offer. Less crowded than Darjeeling the roads of Kurseong are a paradise for travellers looking for solitude. Kurseong’s churches and monasteries create an interesting mix and the winding foggy roads leading to the Dow Hill should never be missed.

      Last of all the Cochrane Place is an experience by itself!!!!

  4. jaja koko
    May 13, 2014 at 5:24 PM

    Dear Rangan,

    I have made plans to visit & stay here from 12 to 15 June 2014.
    Shall be traveling with my aged Mother who is 75.
    Can you respond to these queries that I have?

    How is the journey from Bagdogra to Cochrane-Place? Is the road too winding & meandering? How long is the drive? I am asking because my Mother’s is a bit prone to road sickness on hilly roads.

    Being aged, my mother finds it difficult to negotiate stairs & to walk long distances. I hear they have a ramp, although no elevators? Will the Hotel be able to provide us with a wheelchair, if needed?

    How will the weather there be in the mid of June?

    Thanks,
    Kushal

    • May 13, 2014 at 9:36 PM

      First of all thanks Kushal for visiting my blog.

      Roads from Bagdogra to Cochrane Place:
      The roads are good and the journey takes one and half hours. The last stretch contains some winding and meandering but the stretch is not long.

      Ramps:
      The hotels have ramps is almost every section, also you can opt for a ground floor room. I am not sure of the wheel chair, but probably they have it (plz check it up from the hotel management)

      Weather:
      Its difficult to predict weather and even more difficult to predict Himalaya weather. But its quiet obvious you will be getting rain but probaly not a downpour.

      Wish you a great time in Chocrane Place, Kurseong.

      Do share your experience.

      • May 14, 2014 at 10:33 AM

        Thanks a lot for the prompt response Rangan.
        That was helpful indeed…
        Looking forward to visiting…and will surely share my experience here, once we are back 🙂

  5. July 9, 2014 at 2:11 PM

    SHARING an ALBUM of pictures of our Wonderful vactaion at Cochrane Place 912-15 June)
    https://www.facebook.com/kushal.chatterjee/media_set?set=a.10152561530724243.1073741870.569119242&type=3

    • October 30, 2014 at 3:12 PM

      Lovely photos, thanks for sharing.

      Do keep in touch.

  6. Dipankar Dasgupta
    January 22, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    Splendid photos and an excellent write-up that constantly whets my yearning of transporting myself immediately to this idyllic environ.

  7. May 25, 2015 at 8:10 AM

    I am looking for solitude.Is it a right place to just go there and chill,without much disturbance and without people always around you?I am looking for a place,where I can just be with myself, and spend sometime.
    Let me know.

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