Takdah Heritage Colonial Bunglow

Takdah heritage bungalow no 12 sits in a beautiful, peaceful spot among enormous pines, with a small hiking trail and birds and wild rabbits nearby. The dogs on the property were an added bonus for me. Mr and Mrs Lama lovingly restored this colonial bungalow, and each of its several rooms had its own little surprise. The hosts live there and can handle things right away. Staff were lovely too. The housekeeper was efficient, obliging, cheerful, and always smiling. The cook served simple, tasty ’ghar ka khana’, the same food eaten by guests and hosts. The best part was an unexpected cricket final. The TV in the sitting-dining area didn't work, so the host brought down his enormous TV. We all watched the match together with so much enthusiasm and fun. It was by far the best cricket viewing we'd ever had.

A comfortable stay at a lovely, well-kept Heritage Bunglow with a tidy garden and good food. The owner, Mr Norbu Lama sir, is very gentle and personally checks in with visitors to see how they're doing. Manager Preety was kind and hardworking.

My parents, husband, and I stayed at Takdah Heritage Bungalow No. 12, and it was one of our most disappointing stays. We paid nearly ₹8,000 a night for the most expensive room, ₹7,000 plus GST, and food wasn't included. Meals cost another ₹900 per person per day, not counting snacks. The snacks were outrageously priced, ₹180 for fries and over ₹200 for chicken pakoras that honestly weren't even edible. The place looks beautiful outside and in photos, but the reality was very different. The dining area was dingy, dirty, and poorly maintained. The kitchen looked untidy and unhygienic, and even the wash area by the dining space made us uncomfortable. With such high rates, basic cleanliness should be a given, and it was clearly missing. It really made me wonder where the money was going. Service was just as poor. At one point we had to go into the kitchen ourselves to get coffee cups, which shouldn't happen during a paid stay. For ₹900 per person, the meals were basic, repetitive, and tasteless, mostly sabji and egg curry. We didn't even get a decent cup of tea, while all snacks cost extra, on top of the already high bill. The rooms were in very bad shape. Bedsheets, pillows, and quilts were unclean, there were spiders in the bedding, and a curtain holder was almost falling off. The rooms were extremely cold, and using the fireplace came at a heavy extra cost. I personally got skin rashes during the stay, which says a lot about the lack of hygiene. Though it was called a homestay, there was no warmth, hospitality, or homely feeling. The owner seemed more focused on charging extra at every turn than on providing basic service or comfort. The ambience felt negative, hygiene was unacceptable, service was poor, and the price was completely unjustified. Absolutely not worth the money, and definitely not recommended.

The online hype set me up for a peaceful heritage stay, but this was exhausting and deeply disappointing. The rooms were poorly maintained, the staff seemed indifferent, and the food was horrible. Takdah Heritage Bungalow No. 12 is heavily overrated and felt like a complete waste of money. I strongly recommend avoiding it.