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Tales of Luxury
North East Indiaheritage haveliElgin Hotels

The Elgin Nor-Khill

Gangtok's heritage hotel, built in 1932 as a guest house for the Chogyal, the former king of Sikkim, and now run by the Elgin group. Rooms are full of Sikkimese carpets, painted furniture and old photographs, and the hotel is a short walk from the centre of town.
The Elgin Nor-Khill
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Nor-Khill was the royal guest house of the Sikkim monarchy, built to receive visitors to the court in the 1930s. It sits below Paljor Stadium within easy reach of the Palace and Tsuklakhang, the royal chapel. Elgin has kept the feel of a residence: corridors hung with thangkas and old photographs, carved and painted furniture, and rooms that vary in size and outlook.

This is the hotel for travellers who prefer history over modern facilities. Meals are served in a dining room with set menus that include Sikkimese and Nepali dishes as well as Anglo-Indian staples, and the lounge has a fire on cold evenings. Its location means you can walk to MG Marg and the old town, a rare advantage in Gangtok, where most good hotels sit out of town.

Why we book it

  1. A 1932 royal guest house with original character
  2. Central location, walkable to MG Marg
  3. Sikkimese decor and set-menu dining

Questions travellers ask

Good to know

What is the history of the Elgin Nor-Khill?

It was built in 1932 as the state guest house of the Chogyal, the ruler of the kingdom of Sikkim, and hosted official visitors before Sikkim joined India in 1975. It is now run by Elgin Hotels, who also operate heritage properties in Darjeeling and Pelling, and it keeps much of its original decor.

Is the Elgin Nor-Khill central in Gangtok?

Yes. It is below Paljor Stadium, a short walk or drive from MG Marg, the main pedestrian street. Few luxury hotels in Gangtok are this central, so guests can walk to dinner and the markets in the evening without arranging a car.

Does the Elgin Nor-Khill have mountain views?

Some rooms have valley and hill views, and the grounds look across Gangtok's slopes, but the Kanchenjunga view depends on room and weather. If a mountain view matters to you, we request the best-facing rooms when booking and suggest an early visit to Tashi viewpoint or Ganesh Tok.

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