EIH Limited Announces The Oberoi, Makaibari Tea Estate, Darjeeling

EIH Limited (The Oberoi Group) has announced a landmark project — The Oberoi, Makaibari Tea Estate, Darjeeling. Here are the key highlights from the announcement:

New Luxury Resort:
A boutique Oberoi resort will open at the historic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling, scheduled for 2030.

Unique Setting:
Makaibari, established in 1859, is the world’s first fully certified organic tea estate (1988), renowned for its Himalayan vistas, lush forests, and rare biodiversity.

Living Heritage:
The estate houses one of the world’s oldest functioning tea factories, built from wood, bamboo, and cast iron — a rare industrial heritage site.

Sustainability & Community:
The project emphasizes biodynamic farming, permaculture, fair labor practices, and livelihood support for worker families, aligning with Oberoi’s philosophy of care.

Resort Features:
- 25 luxury keys (with potential for expansion)
- Designed by Nava Design Studios, Bangkok
- Developed in partnership with Luxmi Tea Co. Private Limited
- Located just 35 km from Bagdogra International Airport for convenient access

Leadership Voices:
- Rudra Chatterjee (Luxmi Tea Co.): Called Makaibari a “living legacy shaped by nature, craftsmanship and community.”
- Arjun Oberoi (Executive Chairman, Oberoi Group): Highlighted the project as part of Oberoi’s strategy to create “transformational experiences” in unexplored natural destinations.
- Vikram Oberoi (CEO, Oberoi Group): Emphasized sustainable employment, skill development, and community initiatives.

Expansion Strategy:
This resort is part of EIH Limited’s pipeline of 29 upcoming hotels and luxury cruisers by 2030, adding ~2,251 keys across India and select international destinations.

This project blends heritage, tea culture, and Himalayan beauty into a new dimension of experiential luxury, strengthening Oberoi’s presence in the eastern Himalayan region.