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The Taj Mahal Palace
The Taj Mahal Palace
The Taj Mahal Palace

38

The Taj Mahal Palace

Mumbai

The soul of Indian hospitality in a palatial urban hideaway

Heritage and legacy: The Taj Mahal Palace is a Mumbai icon. Since opening to greet its first guests in 1903, it's been hailed for its grandeur, exemplary design and hospitality. Established by Indian industrialist Jamsetji Tata, it was India's first ever Indian-owned luxury property. More palace than hotel, the hotel marked the beginning of the renowned Indian hospitality group Taj, and over the decades, has welcomed Indian royalty, British viceroys, Bollywood film stars, Hollywood A-listers and other eminent international guests.

More on the hotel's design: Completed by Englishman W.A. Chambers, the Taj Mahal Palace offers regality and opulence at every turn. The grey-and-white building, with its 240-foot-high central Florentine red-dome flanked by cupolas and turrets, stands as an unmissable Mumbai landmark overlooking the city's harbour. The design is a mix of Indian, Moorish, Oriental and Renaissance influences, elegantly layered into one singularly palatial residence. Think intricate latticework, marble-floored lobbies, corridors with onyx columns, grand staircases featuring wrought-iron balustrades and ornate doorknobs a plenty. A long archival corridor doubles as a museum with memorabilia of the hotel's history.

What about the rooms? Elaborate hand-knotted carpets, silk drapes, four-poster beds and crystal chandeliers accent the restored 285 palace rooms and suites of the Heritage Wing, carrying the splendour of its early 20th century beginnings. Each suite follows a theme, such as the Rajput Suite that pays homage to the Indian state of Rajasthan and its rulers with antiques and artwork; or the Tata Suite, named after the founder and featuring a personal spa, gym, steam and sauna. The 258 rooms of the Tower Wing, though, are distinctly modern, with muted tones, sleek furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows. Balconies framed by Indo-Saracenic arches open into the uninterrupted views of the Arabian Sea.

The food scene: From Sichuan and Cantonese delicacies at the specialty Chinese cuisine restaurant Golden Dragon to North Indian classics at Loya, there's something for everyone here. Go up to the Tower's rooftop for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare at Souk, or better yet, try the Sunday champagne brunches at either. The rattan-furnished poolside restaurant Aquarius with private cabanas is perfect for leisurely lunches featuring afternoon sitar music. Dining aside, the hotel is home to several leading bars, including Mumbai's first licensed tavern, The Harbour Bar, where the hotel's founder spent his evenings.

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