Taj Mahal Palace & Tower

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. Besides launching the Jiva spa and a number of new restaurants and watering holes, at press time all guest rooms were being refurbished in phases. 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. Of its many famous and popular restaurants, Wasabi by Morimoto is an outstanding, world-class Japanese restaurant and highly recommended if you don't mind the price tag (meal for two Rs 8,000-Rs 20,000/$200-$488/£99-£250). The Zodiac Grill, now renovated, is something of a legend among the city's well-heeled for its fine European cuisine and vintage wines. If you do opt for The Taj Mahal Palace, you'll want to wallow in the luxurious old-world splendor of the Palace 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 grande 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 is less than stellar, and published rates leap by about 20% each year (ask about daily discounts). 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; 2 bars; swimming pool; sports arrangements on request (golf, badminton, squash, billiards, tennis, table tennis); fitness center; concierge; travel desk; car hire; business center; shopping arcade; salon; babysitting; laundry; doctor-on-call; currency exchange; valet service; personal valet service for Grand Luxe and Presidential Suite guests; wireless newspaper service.

  In room: A/C, TV (plasma in Palace Wing only), fax, dataport, minibar, hair dryer, electronic safe, DVD player (Palace Wing rooms), MP3 stereo, 2-line speaker phones, shaving mirror. Suites have in-built personal spa.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010

Other features:

Hire a Taj Luxury Yacht with all comforts provided for cruises to the Elephanta Island and for Romantic getaways, the Celebration cruise.