Walking down the streets of Mumbai, you just can’t miss the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. It dominates the street corner where it’s situated, at once impressive and imposing. Opened in 1903, this historical property has welcomed a parade of celebrity guests from The Beatles to the Obamas, from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Mick Jagger.

Once inside the grand lobby, it’s easy to see why the who’s who of the world come here to stay. Modern luxuries and all the amenities that make this a five-star hotel combine with a sense of the hotel’s rich history. “The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai has mastered the art of keeping one foot firmly planted in a glorious past, even while the other steps gracefully along with the times,” says Gaurav Pokhariyal, General Manager of The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. “Today, it is a hotel recharged with energy and an indomitable spirit.”

With rooms overlooking the Arabian Sea and the famous landmark The Gateway of India, a stay at the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai is one visitors won’t soon forget. “The hotel is an architectural marvel and brings together Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles,” says Gaurav. “It is a gracious landmark of the city of Mumbai, showcasing contemporary Indian influences along with beautiful vaulted alabaster ceilings, onyx columns, graceful archways, hand-woven silk carpets, stunning chandeliers, a magnificent art collection, an eclectic collection of furniture, and a dramatic cantilever stairway.”

The award-winning hotel style boasts 560 suites and rooms and there’s a delightful mix of history and modernity. “The corridors stand testimony to a century old heritage, with genuine artifacts and antiques gracing the aisles,” says Gaurav. “Each of the 19 theme suites come with a personality that is distinct and distinguished. They have been sculpted by some of the most revered names across the world. They draw inspiration from the sea they face or the heritage they proudly mirror. They are modern in their amenities and facilities and charmingly traditional in terms of their tenure in time.”

Ready to take a look inside this regal palace hotel?

Club Room
Rosewood flooring, a soft colour palette and high ceilings combine to give the Taj Club Rooms an elegant yet cosy feeling. “These rooms tastefully capture old world charm and fuse it with technology and modern day conveniences,” says Gaurav. “Rich and stylish, these newly restored Taj Club rooms are enriched with beams and arches that are reminiscent of the hotel’s atriums and a massively footed mahogany bed with a soaring headboard, evocative of arches and elephant tusks.”
Elephanta Suite bathroom
Simple, minimalist, modern. The bathroom design in the Elephanta Suite is earthy and warm, with contemporary amenities. Blonde wood and a white tub and sink create the light and airy feeling in this space, making it a perfect spa-like sanctuary to relax in at the end of the day.
Sea Lounge
Dining in the Sea Lounge, soaking in views of the Mumbai Harbour on the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India is one of the real treats at the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. “Situated on the first floor of The Taj Mahal Palace, Sea Lounge retains and recreates the magic of the past era,” says Gaurav. “It has been host to Maharajahs, freedom fighters, artists, politicians and businessmen, and has seen history being created within it.” Gold accents pop against the pale sea coloured walls in this space, creating a restful atmosphere with understated but undeniable elegance.
Rajput Suite
There’s nothing minimalist about the Rajput Suite. In fact, Gaurav describes it as a regal maximalist living space where restraint has no place. The opulent experience begins as soon as guests open the heavy brass doors to this suite. “A splendid hand-painted peacock catches the eye upon entering the living room and a tray with a checkers board as its base, inlaid with Mother of Pearl, sits awaiting use on the centre table,” says Gaurav. “A traditional Suryavanshi mirror, shaped like the sun, adorns one wall, while brass banisters, gold and brass chests, lamps, pots, and other objets d’art surround one, bringing to life the majesty and awe-inspiring grandeur of the Rajput kings.”