Upcoming Project
Taj Himya Branded Villas in Darjeeling: What Is Planned at Ghoom
Taj Himya Branded Villas, a 10-villa residential component alongside the 57-key Taj Himya Kutir hotel, is listed as upcoming in Ghoom, Darjeeling, under the Ambuja Neotia and Indian Hotels Company partnership. As of 3 November 2026 it is at the announcement stage, with no construction start, price list or RERA registration published.
| Project | Taj Himya Branded Villas, with the Taj Himya Kutir hotel |
|---|---|
| Developer | Ambuja Neotia Group (Kolkata) |
| Hotel brand partner | Indian Hotels Company Limited (Taj brand) |
| Location | Ghoom, Darjeeling, West Bengal |
| Configuration | 57 hotel keys and 10 Taj-branded villas |
| Status (as of 3 November 2026) | Upcoming; announced as one of nine West Bengal projects on 31 October 2026 |
| Partnership announced | 21 July 2025 |
| RERA | No registration number published as of 3 November 2026 |
| Completion horizon | The partnership hotels are targeted for completion by 2030 |
Status: announced, not yet on sale
Taj Himya Branded Villas is at the announcement stage. The Ambuja Neotia Group and Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) first set out the partnership on 21 July 2025, when IHCL's portfolio table listed a Darjeeling project as Taj Resort and Taj Villas (Branded Residences). The project was named as one of nine upcoming West Bengal hospitality projects on 31 October 2026.
As of 3 November 2026, no booking window, expression of interest, pre-launch offer or price announcement has been published for the project. No construction start or groundbreaking has been reported.
What is planned
The project has two components. Taj Himya Kutir is a 57-key hotel. Taj Himya Branded Villas adds 10 villas under the Taj brand. IHCL describes the villas as a branded-residence format and links them to growing demand for premium inventory in the segment.
The developer's stated design approach is bespoke, boutique offerings for each location, which it calls Kutir properties. Taj Himya Kutir follows the same naming as the group's earlier Kutir series, which includes Taj Chia Kutir in Kurseong.
Whether the villas will be sold to buyers or held under a lease-back arrangement has not been stated for this project. IHCL's first branded-villa project, Taj Mount Kusur in Lonavala, is a separate development and uses a different model.
Location and connectivity
Ghoom sits on the Darjeeling route at about 2,258 metres, and is widely cited as the highest railway point on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Ghoom railway station is on Hill Cart Road, with PIN 734102.
- Bagdogra Airport is about 39 km from Ghoom. The airport is connected to Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati by flights.
- Siliguri is about 80 km away by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the toy train.
- NH 110 connects the Bagdogra and Darjeeling route, and routes into Darjeeling pass through Ghoom.
Ghoom has no metro line, as Darjeeling is served by road and rail only.
Nearby places and local infrastructure
Ghoom Monastery, one of the older Buddhist monasteries in Darjeeling, is about 0.5 km from the station. Batasia Loop, with its war memorial, is near Ghoom station. Other nearby sites include the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Batasia Eco Garden, Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park, Rangeet Valley and Peace Pagoda.
Several infrastructure plans in the wider region bear on access:
- The Bagdogra Airport expansion includes a new terminal, valued at INR 1,560 crore, with a reported completion target of March 2027. Capacity is planned to rise from 0.75 to 10 million passengers a year.
- A Kurseong–Darjeeling ropeway is proposed. The state government has also planned five ropeways across hill areas including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, Dudhia, Mongpu and Kurseong. Neither has a confirmed completion year.
- Taj Chia Kutir in Kurseong, an existing group property, is set for an INR 100 crore expansion adding 28 rooms and 15,000 sq ft of banqueting space. No completion year has been announced.
Developer background
Ambuja Neotia is a Kolkata-headquartered group with a real estate base and later ventures in hospitality, healthcare and education. Its early residential landmark in Kolkata, Udayan, was built on a public-private partnership model. The group has since developed townships and housing in Kolkata, Durgapur, Burdwan and Siliguri.
In hospitality, the group opened Ffort Raichak, its first hotel, and Taj Chia Kutir at the Makaibari Tea Estate in Kurseong. The group and IHCL have also opened AltAir House hotels in Kolkata and Siliguri. Under the wider West Bengal programme, the group has said it will invest around INR 15,000 crore in hospitality, healthcare and real estate over five to seven years, with INR 2,700 to 3,000 crore tied to the hotel and villa projects.
Timeline
- 21 July 2025: IHCL announces the 15-hotel agreement with Ambuja Neotia, listing a Darjeeling project as Taj Resort and Taj Villas (Branded Residences).
- 31 October 2026: The nine-project West Bengal programme is announced, including Taj Himya Kutir and the Darjeeling branded villas.
- 2 November 2026: AltAir House hotels open in Kolkata and Siliguri, announced alongside the investment plan.
- By 2030: Completion target for the partnership hotels.
Frequently asked questions
Is Taj Himya Branded Villas open for booking?
As of 3 November 2026, no booking window, expression of interest or pre-launch offer has been announced. The project is listed as upcoming.
How many units does the project have?
The project comprises a 57-key hotel, Taj Himya Kutir, and 10 Taj-branded villas.
Is the project registered under RERA?
No RERA registration number for Taj Himya Kutir or Taj Himya Branded Villas has been published as of 3 November 2026.
When is the project expected to be completed?
The partnership hotels are targeted for completion by 2030. No separate possession date for the villas has been announced.
Where is Ghoom and how do you reach it?
Ghoom is on the Darjeeling route at about 2,258 metres. Bagdogra Airport is about 39 km away, and Siliguri is about 80 km away by the toy train.
Who is building the project?
The Ambuja Neotia Group is developing the project in partnership with Indian Hotels Company Limited, which operates the Taj brand.