The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower

George Bernard Shaw declared that after staying here, he no longer needed to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. As the crowning glory of the city's hotel scene, 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. Nothing can compare to the sublime historic ambience of the rooms and suites in the Palace, all of which are being extensively overhauled (smartened up with more modern amenities and slicker finishes, but retaining their substantially old-world ambience, carefully chosen antiques and vintage artworks, and indisputable authenticity) following damage done to the property during the tragedy that befell the city in 2008. The Taj has long been in the process of reinventing itself to keep its crown as the most celebrated address in Mumbai, and despite many a la mode additions (the plush Jiva spa, modern world-class restaurants, jazzy infusions of color against a regal architectural background, and souped-up airtight security), the hotel still recalls an era of superb elegance. While we highly recommend the sea-facing rooms and exceptional suites in the historic Palace wing (all of which are scheduled to be relaunched by 2010), we still feel that accommodations in the hotel's looming business-oriented Tower Wing are a bit of a letdown (with small, bland bathrooms).

Facilities: 6 restaurants, including Wasabi, Souk, and Masala Kraft; legendary pastry shop; 2 lounges; including Sea Lounge; 2 bars, including Harbour Bar, the oldest bar in the city; airport transfers (Rs 3,140); babysitting; concierge; health club and spa; large outdoor pool; room service; yacht

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.

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