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

30

The Taj Mahal Palace

Mumbai

A living legend of Indian hospitality

A long history: 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 the country'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 royalty, British viceroys, Bollywood film stars, Hollywood A-listers and other eminent international guests.

Palatial design: Completed by British architect W.A. Chambers, the Taj Mahal Palace offers regal elegance and opulence at every turn. The grey-and-white building, with its 73-metre-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.

Inside 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.

What's there to eat? From Sichuan and Cantonese delicacies at the speciality Chinese cuisine restaurant Golden Dragon to North Indian classics at Loya, there's something for everyone here. Head to the Sea Lounge for picture-perfect afternoon tea, and for a spot of fine dining, Wasabi by Morimoto's omakase-style tasting menu is not to be missed. 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 licenced tavern, The Harbour Bar, where the hotel's founder spent his evenings.

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