Luxury Hotels

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Billed by the Times, London as the finest hotel in the East, the Taj’s first hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai was perhaps the only place in the world where a British Viceroy could rub shoulders with an Indian Maharajah, where the Congress could debate with right wing leaders, and where sailors on shore leave could flirt with the Pompadour Follies.

Built at the cost of a quarter of a million pounds, the hotel introduced a series of firsts that set new benchmarks in Indian hospitality. Over the years, the Taj brought into Bombay, “Professors of Dance’ Mademoiselle Singy to raise temperatures and a few eyebrows with the Tango, the first air-conditioned ballroom to cool things down, the first cold storage, the first licensed bar, and more.

The changing decades ushered in new tastes and newer guests including Mick Jagger, Steven Spielberg, and David Rockefeller, to name a few. From Nobel laureates to rock stars, fashion divas, to oil-rich sheiks, Taj represented a global village long before the term was to become a cliché. Even today, a hundred years on, guests will find Taj taking luxury to greater heights in all its hotels around the world including business capitals, fairy-tale palaces, on secluded islands, in private yachts, aboard executive jets, and amidst spas and resorts. Still, as the discerning traveller will note, a little ahead of its time.

Taj Hotel List with Packages

Important Milestones in the History of Taj 1903: Created history with the opening of The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Bombay (Mumbai) – India’s first Luxury hotel
1971-72: Pioneered the concept of authentic Palace Hotels in the country with the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, the Palace of the Maharajah of the esrtswhile state of Jaipore.
1974: Conceptualized the unique beach resort at Fort Aguada, Goa built within the walls of a Portuguese fort overlooking the Arabian Sea
1978-82: Taj launched in Delhi with its luxury hotel - Taj Mahal Hotel on No. 1 Man Singh Road and then prepared India for the Asian Games by setting up Taj Palace, Delhi with the largest convention centre in the country
1982: Taj established a presence in the Western Hemisphere with the historic St. James Court Hotel near Buckingham Palace, London
1984-92: Well before these destinations became world renown for their beauty, Taj expanded to Kerala and Sri Lanka
1992-97: Rolled out Business Hotels in key cities and towns across the country, branded as Taj Residency hotels
2000: Consolidated its position as the largest chain in India with hotels in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, the latter city being a joint venture with GVK Hotels resulting in a dominant position in the market for premium and luxury hotel rooms
2002: The new Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives, within six months of its launch, was awarded the title of "The Best Resort in the World" in the first ever Harpers and Queen Travel Awards.

Taj Leisure Hotels Escape the Ordinary at Our Leisure HotelsTaj Leisure Hotels include idyllic beach resorts, genuine palaces, turn-of-the-century garden retreats, and historic and pilgrim centres. Showcasing the best of every destination, Taj Leisure Hotels are replete with adventure, romance, comfort, and style.

Offering a Holiday to Remember Taj Resort Hotels offer delightful rooms by the sea, restaurants that serve the freshest catch of the day, the latest water sports facilities, tennis courts, freshwater swimming pools, spas, and travel assistance. Taj Garden Retreats are a great escape in the midst of nature, offering restored colonial architecture, gracious rooms with a view of exquisitely landscaped gardens and a wonderful atmosphere of peace and calm. Other Leisure Hotels echo the country’s rich and varied past, and are located in close proximity to the focal points of Indian art, culture and history.

Fun the Whole Family Can Enjoy Taj Leisure Hotels are a complete family destination offering a wide variety of activities for all age groups. For the young members of the family, Taj Leisure Hotels offers exciting, fun-filled holidays that provide the best in children activities ranging from sports, culture, environment, adventure, music, and entertainment. Parents can relax throughout their holiday by leaving their children in the care of the hotel staff, which will make sure that the younger guests have a holiday to remember.

Well Equipped for the Perfect EscapeTaj Leisure Hotels offer everything from comfortable rooms with a view, friendly efficient service, specialty restaurants and lively bars, telecommunication facilities such as Internet connectivity, well equipped business centres, conference facilities, and banquet areas. Other features include swimming pools, casual dining restaurants, fitness centres, travel assistance, spas, various sightseeing options, backwater cruises, and much more. The restaurants offer an array of delectable Indian and world cuisines. Some recipes from homes in the region often go back two to three generations.

The Fine Art of RelaxationThe Taj Leisure Hotels also promise a whole new experience of tranquillity and total ‘wellness’. At the Spas, Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and herbal knowledge come together to create a holistic experience in harmony with its location.