Minor Hotels has signed an agreement to manage Anantara Retreat Darjeeling Hills, the first Anantara Retreat in India. The 70-key property is set to open in 2031 inside the 849-acre Tindharia Tea Estate in West Bengal, which will keep operating as a working plantation. It is the fourth Anantara property announced in India this year.
| DEAL TIMELINE: ANANTARA RETREAT DARJEELING HILLS | |
| April 2026 Done | Coorg and Kolkata announced Anantara Zanti Coorg Resort and Anantara Kolkata Hotel |
| September 2026 Done | Hyderabad announced Anantara Jadcherla Hyderabad Resort |
| Announced now Done | Darjeeling management agreement signed First Anantara Retreat in India | 70 rooms | Tindharia, West Bengal |
| Before end of 2026 Expected | More India signings Minor Hotels expects further announcements this year |
| 2031 Expected | Retreat opens 35 suites | 35 tented villas | Working tea estate |
| Partner: JK Urbana Garden Private Limited | Brand: Anantara Retreats (luxury) | Location: Tindharia, West Bengal | |
| 70 keys: 35 suites + 35 tented villas | 849 acres, working tea plantation | 4th Anantara signing in India this year | 750 m² meeting and event space |
| “Anantara Retreats belong in places that shape the stay, and Darjeeling does exactly that.” Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO, Minor International (parent of Minor Hotels) |
| PROPERTY SNAPSHOT | |
| Accommodation | 35 suites and 35 tented villas along the slope |
| Wellness | Anantara Spa, fitness center, and a pool with plantation and valley views |
| Experience | Tea factory and tea garden on the working estate |
| Events | 750 square meter meeting and event space for intimate MICE groups and destination weddings |
| Setting | Estate rises from 450 to 1,000 meters above sea level |
| Access | 40 km from Darjeeling town; Bagdogra International Airport (IXB) is about 33 km away, roughly one hour by road |
The Estate and the Retreat
Darjeeling is one of India’s best-known Himalayan hill destinations and the source of the tea often called the “Champagne of Teas.” The retreat is in Tindharia, and its design will follow the slope of the estate. Guests will have direct access to the working tea factory and tea garden, which anchor the experiential program, and wellness offerings draw on the region’s natural surroundings and tea-growing heritage.
The Brand and the Partner
Anantara Retreats is a brand extension of Anantara Hotels & Resorts. It focuses on secluded, sanctuary-style locations and pairs high-end accommodation with wellness programs covering spa, yoga, holistic treatments, fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness. The Darjeeling property is being developed with JK Urbana Garden Private Limited, a joint venture between JK Urbanscapes Developers Limited and Kaushal Kumbhat.
Kumbhat, a director of the company, described the deal as the realization of a long-held dream to open the estate to the world. He said the project should create sustainable livelihoods for the estate community and set a benchmark for responsible, nature-integrated luxury in the region.
India Pipeline
Minor Hotels says its India development pipeline has gained strong momentum this year and expects more signings before the end of 2026. The group has more than 640 hotels, resorts, and branded residences in operation and committed development across 67 countries.
