Description

George Bernard Shaw famously claimed that after staying here, he no longer had any need to visit the original Taj Mahal in Agra. But seriously stiff competition from the nearby Oberoi and InterContinental (and even from so-called "suburban" hotels like the JW Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, and ITC Maratha Sheraton) has The Taj in the process of reinventing itself to keep its crown as the most celebrated address in Mumbai. As such, it is launching the brand-new Taj Spa and a number of new restaurants and watering holes. Then again, the history here is tangible: Public areas are decorated with carefully chosen antiques and vintage artwork. Bombay's very first licensed drinking establishment, Harbour Bar, can be found here. If you do opt for The Taj Mahal Palace, you'll want to wallow in the luxurious old-world splendor of the Heritage Wing; individually themed high-ceilinged suites transport you to another era, when the likes of Somerset Maugham and Duke Ellington bedded down in the city's best hotel. For a view of the Gateway, book a Taj Club sea-view or luxury sea-view room, but if money is no object, nothing less than the Rajput Suite will do. As the crowning glory of one of India's most prominent hotel chains, The Taj Mahal Palace may well double as the nerve center for moneyed mischief, but it remains a great blend of old-world charm and modern conveniences. That said, its reputation for service has in recent years been less than stellar, something we hope will be addressed along with the physical revamping of the hotel. Note that the hotel's looming Tower Wing is more business-oriented, and a bit of a letdown once you've explored the original parts of the hotel. Facilities: 5 restaurants; pastry shop; 3 bars; nightclub; swimming pool; sports arrangements on request (golf, badminton, squash, billiards, tennis, table tennis); fitness center; concierge; travel desk; car hire; business center; currency exchange; shopping arcade; salon; wireless newspaper service; babysitting; laundry; doctor-on-call; valet service; personal valet service for Grand Luxe and Presidential Suite guests. In room: A/C, TV (plasma in some), fax machine on request, DVD player, MP3 stereo, 2-line speaker phones, dataport, minibar, hair dryer, electronic safe. Suites have in-built personal spa. Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.