West Point Backpackers Hostel

The owner was very helpful.

Noise of traffic

Nice and great way of experience

I chose this hostel thinking I might get a zostel kind of experience, but this was a mix of hostel and homestay which is really unique. The host Mrs. Rebecca is an absolute gem of a person with her sound knowledge for tea. She constantly kept reminding me to stay covered in layers given the cold weather. Her contacts who cook for people staying at the hostel (exactly opposite side) are also so sweet and prepare soul filling food. The driver, Mr. Robin, whom she had contacted for me is also a warm human being who kept me entertained with his stories while driving around. If not for him, I would have surely missed a breathtaking sunrise at Tiger Hill. My entire stay was just wonderful. If you're looking to stay in Darjeeling with someone who has extensive knowledge about everything in the town, do not hesitate to stay here.

We enjoyed our stay mostly thanks to Rebecca (the host) and her incredible nobel personality, very kind, warm, responsible and generous lady, she welcomed us in the most hospitable way, was very attentive to all our requests. We also liked a lot our excursions with the guide, that Rebecca organised for us, loved the food that was cooked by Rebecca and her family, also we adored the food that was prepared especially for us at the cafe opposite the hostel. This hostel is so healing for the soul, like a home, the communication and interaction with Rebecca and her family was so touching, sincere and heartful. It was very sweet that the host invited us to join her family around the fire place, we shared stories and enjoyed the singing, you made our day, thank you! You can watch the mountains from the balcony if it's not misty, so the location and building are unique and best for the most picturesque view. The room was clean, there was a kettle, a welcome cake (wow!), sweets, genuine Darjeeling tea. The bed sheets are heated with electricity. Many warm duvets. Geyser water heater. Rebecca provided a heater for us upon our request. Better to come at warm season. 30-minutes slow walk distance uphill to the city centre. 5 mins walk to the nearby Dali monastery. Would love to come back in summer. Thank you!

We loved everything about our stay except one significant (for us) thing - we felt extremely cold inside the room and the washroom. We assume that this is common for Darjeeling overall. The building is very cold (we stayed in January), so I recommend to take very warm pijamas, socks and heating pads to keep with you any time you are out of bed. The bed sheet is the only heated place. Taking shower is very cold even though the water is warm, but you only have the basin to mix water inside and use with the bowl to pour on yourself, no shower hose option. So taking a "shower" is shaking freezing, I have long hair and I am used to take a shower twice a day, so for me that was impossible to do, too cold (though in a cold Darjeeling weather one doesn't sweat much). You can take wet wipes as an option. If you plan to wash your hair (ladies) - it will not dry for long time (might catch a cold as well), a hairdrier would help (but might cut out the electricity). Towels are cold and do not get dry. No storage for clothes of belongings inside the room, we kept ours in suitcases. We kept our clothes under the duvet so it is not very cold. Slippers got cold. But the lack of my personal comfort related to cold was defifnitely outbalanced by the warmth of the host.

The best part of our stay was the host. Rebecca and her family were wonderful. They helped us with everything we needed like getting a taxi from Siliguri to Darjeeling really late upon arrival. She offered us an amazing breakfast and teas and shared her knowledge on everything about Darjeeling. And because we were staying there at christmas she even gave a small present in the form of chocolate and cake!