We stayed at West Posada for two nights, and I feel confident sharing what to expect from this property.
First of all, while the hospitality and service team are wonderful and do their best to take care of guests, the claim that this is a 5-star hotel is misleading. At best, it feels like a 3-star property.
Positives
• The breakfast spread is generous and delicious.
• The staff including the chef, service, and hospitality team, go out of their way to make up for shortcomings.
• The property has an elevator, which adds convenience for those who may need it.
• If booked wisely, the Premium Rooms with balcony provide serene Himalayan views.
Negatives
• The Presidential Suite is the worst choice. It suffers from loud noise and bass vibrations from the water motor attached to the wall, poor ventilation, and overall discomfort. I strongly recommend avoiding this room category, even if offered as a complimentary upgrade.
• The bathrooms have water pressure issues and lack proper shower systems , you’ll only find bathtubs and jacuzzis.
• Though the hotel is technically “1 km away from the Mall Road,” in reality you should expect about 30 minutes of travel one way and a hefty private taxi fare of about 400-500 rs one way.
• There is nothing much to do within the property, so you will likely spend most of your time outside.
Overall Impression
Personally, I would not book this property again given the number of cons. However, if you still wish to stay here, go for the Premium Balcony Rooms. Avoid the Deluxe and especially the Presidential Suite.
A special mention to Property Manager Prajakta, who went all in to make our stay as comfortable as possible. She handled every issue with prompt responses on WhatsApp and excellent service. That said, it’s important to recognize that the generic shortcomings of the property itself are beyond her control.
Darjeeling has many better options to consider, especially from the Summit and Udaan groups.