Minor Hotels has signed an agreement to manage Anantara Retreat Darjeeling Hills, the first Anantara Retreat in India
The 70-key property will open in 2031 within the Tindharia Tea Estate, an 849-acre plantation in West Bengal, creating a sanctuary where guests can enjoy luxurious accommodation amid pristine surroundings while the estate continues to operate as a working plantation.
Darjeeling is one of India’s most established Himalayan hill destinations and the source of the ‘Champagne of Teas’. The retreat will sit in Tindharia, 40km from Darjeeling town. Bagdogra International Airport (IXB) is about 33km away, roughly one hour by road, with direct daily flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok and other major cities.
The tea estate rises from 450 to 1000 metres above sea level, and the Anantara Retreat design will follow its topography, inviting guests to rediscover their spirit and vitality amidst the mist and tea bushes. Accommodation at Anantara Retreat Darjeeling Hills will comprise 35 suites and 35 tented villas along the slope. Complementing the retreat experience, guests will have access to Anantara Spa, a fitness centre and a swimming pool with expansive plantation and valley views, alongside wellness experiences inspired by the region’s natural surroundings and tea-growing heritage.
A 750 sqm meeting and event space will serve intimate MICE groups and destination weddings. Anchoring Anantara Retreat Darjeeling Hill’s experiential programme will be the tea factory and tea garden, giving guests direct access to the working estate.
Anantara Retreat Darjeeling Hills is developed in partnership with JK Urbana Garden Private Limited, a joint venture between JK Urbanscapes Developers Limited and Kaushal Kumbhat.
Kaushal Kumbhat, Director, JK Urbana Gardens Pvt Ltd, commented, “Our partnership with Minor Hotels is the realisation of a long-cherished dream to open the doors of our tea estate to the world, and let people experience the extraordinary beauty that we, as planters, have had the privilege of living amidst for generations. This venture is an opportunity to create sustainable livelihoods for our estate community, showcase the artistry of Darjeeling tea to a global audience firsthand and demonstrate that conservation and enterprise can flourish together. We believe that Anantara Retreat Darjeeling Hills will elevate Darjeeling as a world-class destination and set a benchmark for responsible, nature-integrated luxury in the region.”
Anantara Retreats, a brand extension of Anantara Hotels & Resorts, is a specialised luxury concept set primarily in secluded, sanctuary-style locations. Each retreat pairs high-end accommodation and service with comprehensive wellness programmes covering spa, yoga, holistic treatments, fitness, nutrition and mindfulness. Its design reflects the natural beauty of the destination, and educational and wellness experiences connect guests with local culture and the environment.
Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International, parent company of Minor Hotels, added, “Anantara Retreats belong in places that shape the stay, and Darjeeling does exactly that. Guests will settle into a working tea estate above the valley, follow the leaf from garden to factory and return to a wellness programme built around the same unhurried pace. We look forward to welcoming guests to Anantara Retreat Darjeeling Hills in 2031.”
The signing of Anantara Retreat Darjeeling Hills is the fourth Anantara property announced in India this year, following the announcements of Anantara Jadcherla Hyderabad Resort in September 2026 and Anantara Zanti Coorg Resort and Anantara Kolkata Hotel in April 2026. Minor Hotels’ development pipeline in the country has gained strong momentum this year, and it expects further signing announcements before the end of 2026
Read more: News
