The Oberoi Group To Open Luxury Resort At Darjeeling’s Historic Makaibari Tea Estate By 2030

India’s luxury hospitality map is expanding beyond city icons and beach resorts, and its next landmark address may be among rolling tea bushes in the eastern Himalayas. EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group has announced plans for a new luxury resort within the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling, one of the world’s oldest and most storied tea gardens. Slated to open in 2030, the project marks a rare convergence of heritage agriculture, conservation-led landscapes, and experiential travel in the hills of West Bengal.

A Tea Estate With Global Significance

Established in 1859, Makaibari is not just another Darjeeling tea garden. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate is globally recognised as the world’s first certified organic tea plantation and a pioneer of biodynamic and permaculture farming. Its forests, tea slopes, and rare biodiversity form a living ecosystem rather than a manicured plantation, making it one of the most ecologically significant landscapes in the region.

The estate also houses one of the world’s oldest functioning tea factories, built entirely of wood, bamboo, and cast iron. This highlights that Makaibari’s heritage is industrial as much as agricultural. For travellers, the setting promises immersion into Darjeeling’s deeper cultural and environmental narrative, far from the town’s more touristed corridors.

What The Oberoi Luxury Resort Will Look Like

The upcoming Oberoi luxury resort will be intentionally intimate, with just 25 keys at launch. Designed by Thailand-based Nava Design Studios, the property is being developed in partnership with Luxmi Tea Co Private Limited, the custodians of Makaibari. The design brief emphasises restraint rather than spectacle, an approach that aligns with both the estate’s ethos and Oberoi’s quieter luxury aesthetic.

Rudra Chatterjee, Managing Director, Luxmi Tea Co Private Limited, said, “Makaibari is a living legacy shaped by nature, craftsmanship and community over 150 years. With its pristine forests, panoramic Himalayan views and rare biodiversity, it offers a setting that is truly exceptional. We are delighted to partner with EIH Limited and The Oberoi Group to create a resort that reflects this heritage and brings a new dimension of experiential luxury to Darjeeling."

Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group, further added, “The Oberoi, Makaibari Tea Estate, Darjeeling is an inspiring addition to our development portfolio. Makaibari’s natural beauty, artisanal traditions and historical significance make it an extraordinary setting for an Oberoi resort. This partnership reflects our commitment to creating transformational experiences in destinations where nature, culture and heritage come together in meaningful ways. We also see exceptional potential in the broader eastern Himalayan region, including parts of the Northeast, which is blessed with unspoilt natural beauty and remains largely unexplored.

The resort will be accessible, about 35 kilometres from Bagdogra International Airport, yet is expected to feel secluded, embedded within the estate’s natural contours. The master plan allows for future expansion, but any growth is intended to remain measured and in harmony with the landscape.

Sustainability And Community At The Core

Makaibari’s legacy has long rested on its people as much as its tea. The estate is known for community-led practices, fair labour systems, and intergenerational stewardship of land. According to both partners, the resort’s development will extend this philosophy into hospitality through local employment, skills training, and long-term community engagement.

For travellers sensitive to the social footprint of luxury travel, this positioning matters. Rather than importing an external hospitality model, the project aims to integrate local knowledge systems, livelihoods, and environmental safeguards into the guest experience, an approach that could set a benchmark for future hill-destination resorts.

Vikram Oberoi, Chief Executive Officer, The Oberoi Group, said, “Makaibari is an extraordinary location, distinguished by its natural beauty, rich biodiversity and remarkable heritage. As we develop this resort, our priority is to honour this exceptional setting and contribute meaningfully to the communities that have long been its custodians. We are committed to creating sustainable employment, advancing skill development and strengthening long-term community initiatives. Our endeavour is to shape an experience that reflects the timeless character of Makaibari complimented by warmth, sincerity and attention to detail that define The Oberoi Group.”

Why Darjeeling, And Why Now

The announcement comes as Darjeeling and the wider eastern Himalayan region are being re-evaluated by high-end travellers seeking nature-forward, culturally grounded experiences. While regions like Rajasthan, Kerala, and the Maldives have long dominated luxury itineraries, the eastern Himalayas remain underrepresented in India’s premium hospitality landscape.

For the Oberoi Group, the Makaibari project signals a strategic shift towards experiential destinations rooted in landscape and heritage rather than scale. The company has a pipeline of properties scheduled to open by the end of the decade, many under management contracts, pointing to a more asset-light but destination-driven expansion strategy.

A New Chapter For Tea Estate Travel In India

Tea estate stays are not new to India, but few carry the global reputation, ecological credibility, and historical weight of Makaibari. By situating a luxury resort within this environment, the Oberoi Group is reframing how tea landscapes can be experienced, not as nostalgic backdrops, but as living, working ecosystems.

If executed with the sensitivity it promises, The Oberoi, Makaibari Tea Estate could redefine hill luxury in India, offering travellers not just views and comfort but a deeper engagement with land, labour, and legacy.

FAQs

1. Where will the Oberoi Makaibari resort be located? 

The Oberoi luxury resort will be located inside the historic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling, West Bengal. 

2. When will the Oberoi Makaibari resort open? 

The resort is scheduled to open in 2030. 

3. How many rooms will the resort have? 

The property will launch with 25 keys, designed as an intimate luxury retreat. 

4. Who owns Makaibari Tea Estate? 

Makaibari Tea Estate is owned and managed by Luxmi Tea Co Private Limited. 

5. Why is Makaibari Tea Estate significant? 

Makaibari Tea Estate is the world’s first certified organic tea plantation and a pioneer of biodynamic farming.