Bamboo Retreat by Svenska

Bamboo Retreat offers more than a holiday stay if you're hoping to get a feel for Sikkim's culture, traditions, and food. It's surrounded by greenery and nature, with fresh air and a peaceful atmosphere. The local Sikkimese dishes are a real highlight, made with fresh vegetables from the retreat's own organic farm. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Sikkim experience.

The staff were super kind and the service was high quality, and the place gave us the peace and comfort we needed after the rush of West-Bengal. We stayed as a couple for four days. From the entry gate you get a sense of the hotel's grandeur, without wanting to exaggerate. Before arriving, I wasn't sure whether the photos showed the hotel or the rumtek-monestry closeby, but once we were there it was clear that the palace and the prayer room inside are actually part of the hotel. From our room and balcony we watched monkeys playing in the forest, and in the huge garden, where they grow food and spices for meals, we could cuddle cute dogs. The momos and rice/dal dish were okay to me; the more specific dishes were excellent. Breakfast, a mix of western and Indian kitchen, was nice too. One practical note: if they don't reply on Instagram, their website, by email, or on booking.com, don't hesitate to contact them on Instagram. They have digital issues right now and often don't see bookings or requests.

This small hotel in Rumtek is quiet and welcoming, with individually decorated rooms and an organic garden. The meals made from the garden's produce are wonderful, and the staff are very helpful. There's also a beautiful meditation room on the second floor.

We were a group of eight Swiss guests at Bamboo Retreat recently, and all of us were very satisfied. It's a lovely, relaxing hotel with friendly, competent staff who responded to all our wishes right away. The food was excellent, distinctive, and full of local specialties. If we return to Sikkim, we'd certainly stay here again, and we can recommend it to everyone.