Sujata Agrawal

Experience Christmas and New Year at any of the Taj Hotels and you'll know what hospitality is

Celebrate this festive season with the Taj – we promise you an unforgettable experience! India’s largest and finest chain of hotels is waiting to welcome you this Christmas and New Year with a variety of exciting entertainment activities and a choice of delectable delicacies that will satisfy the most exacting gourmand.

Savour the legendary Taj hospitality at any of their hotels and restaurants round the world and, whether you are there on business or enjoying a well-deserved holiday, you will want to come back for more.

To give you a taste of the delightful fare the Taj is waiting to serve up this Christmas and New Year, lets take you on a whirlwind tour of some of their hotels:

Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai
This gracious landmark of the city offers guests a unique blend of warm hospitality, luxurious accommodation and contemporary amenities and services.

Here's what it has stuffed in your Christmas stocking:

• A special Christmas holiday package for two: Two nights with complimentary buffet breakfast at the coffee shop and buffet lunch or dinner at the Tanjore.
• New Year celebrations begin at the Ballroom with a live, four- piece Caribbean band, ''2ND EN 3'', which specialises in reggae, soca and calypso.
• At the Apollo Bar, a special five-course menu tempts your tastebuds while you dance the night away with the groovy "Smooth Groove", an Australian band.
• Chef Shi Xi Lin conjures up an a la Carte menu with an exotic selection of some new creations and some of the old time favorites at the Golden Dragon.
• For those who want enjoy an intimate evening, the newly renovated Zodiac Grill is serving a special five-course meal with a complimentary bottle of champagne.
• You can also relax at the Sea Lounge and enjoy a quiet evening, watching the celebrations at the Gateway of India.
• Try out the new menu with Cuban snacks at the Starboard.
• Watch a live performance of Indian folk dances performed by the Worliker Troupe at the Tanjore.
• Enjoy a cool winter evening at the Poolside and watch a spectacular firecracker show.
• At every restaurant, there are lots of exciting prizes to be won, including airline tickets, gift hampers, and complimentary stays at various Taj Group Hotels and many more goodies.

For reservations and information call the Festivities Lounge on 022-202 3366 ext. 3556 / 3557 or send an e-mail at tmhfb.bom@tajhotels.com.

Taj Bengal, Calcutta
Christmas in the City of Joy has always been very special and the Taj Bengal is keeping up the tradition! The spectacular Atrium Lobby will resound to the sweet voices of carol singers during the Christmas week.

• You can celebrate Christmas Eve at the Banquets with Mehnaz of ‘Banoongi Miss India’ fame, and, on New Year’s Eve, dance to the music of Bali Brahmbhatt and his troupe.
• The children have their own special Christmas party on December 25.
• The Incognito, the most happening nightclub in town offers an Arabian theme night on Christmas and on New Year's Eve changes into the Wild West with cowboys, et al.
• Chinoserie, the elegant setting for authentic Chinese cuisine, offers a special dinner buffet with a complimentary glass of champagne on Christmas Day.
• The Barbecue poolside restaurant will serve Indian and Mongolian cuisine and you can dance to music by a Sri Lankan Band on Christmas Eve.
• Masquerade, the atrium café, offers a multi-cuisine buffet lunch and dinner with free champagne.
• At the Chambers Restaurant, an exclusive French restaurant, enjoy the luxury of an exotic six-course dinner with a glass of Dom Perignon champagne on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
• The Sonargon with its cobbled floors, mud walls, a quaint well, charpoys and traditional Indian music has a special New Year’s Day lunch - Shatabdi Thali.

For reservations and information call the Millennium Desk on 033- 223 3939ext.: 3271 and 3272 or send an e-mail to bengal.cal@tajhotels.com.

Taj West End, Bangalore
The Taj West End is Bangalore’s most unique 5-star deluxe hotel. Nestled among 20 acres of magnificent gardens, the hotel has rooms and suites overlooking wooded glades and rambling pathways dotted with coloured blooms.

• There are special Christmas holiday packages on offer for a couple, for one or two nights, which and include limousine transfers from airport or residence and free entry to the New Year celebrations at Taj West End.
• The Paradise Island will host an ‘Amazon Jungle' theme party complete with South American music. The cuisine will include a fusion of exotic delicacies and there will be exciting games and prizes, including free air tickets for two to London.
• At the Poolside BBQ you can let your hair down on New Year's Eve at the dance floor while the professional DJ pumps up the night’s tempo. The cuisine will be a delicious mix of various dishes.
• Champagne on ice, candlelight and the musicians at Gardenia will ensure that New Year’s Eve is indeed the best time to fall in love ...again.

For information call Tel: 080- 225 5055 or send an e-mail at westend.bangalore@tajhotels.com.

Taj Mahal Hotel, Delhi
At Taj Mahal Hotel, the staff has been very busy putting together special events and gourmet food for you. Here's a what can look forward to if you are there for the festive season:

• A Jungle Safari at the Machan with a special gourmet buffet and country music by Bobby Cash.
• At the House of Ming, New Delhi's most celebrated Chinese restaurant for authentic Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine, celebrate New Year's Eve with Twin Dragons, a special menu served with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.
• Haveli offers an unlimited choice of popular dishes and live music.
• Banquets has a Bar-Be-Que dinner at the poolside with an eclectic selection of entertainment - soulful ghazals by Penaz Masani to foot stomping music by DJ Rummy Sharma.
• Relive Casablanca at Ricks , which will serve an array of South East Asian dishes and exciting fingerfood.

For reservations and information call the Festivity Desks at
011-302 6162 ext.:3107.

Taj Palace Hotel, Delhi
Each restaurant will be celebrating Christmas and New Year in their own special way:

• Cafe Fontana has spread out a special Mediterranean buffet. Celebrate through the night and welcome the New Year with a rousing breakfast!
• Take part in The Great Train Robbery at the Orient Express as you eat your way through ten-course candlelit dinner with free La Grande Dame VCP champagne.
• The Tea House of the August Moon, a Chinese restaurant and Dim Sum tea-house, set in a courtyard with a pond, a bridge and a bamboo grove, creates the perfect setting for an intimate New Year's Eve. Enter the Dragon and enjoy Master Chef Lo Ka Yan’s special menu
• Handi serves up exotic tawa food, to the accompaniment of ghazals, bhangara, and music by Harbhajan Hans
• Start your evening with a vodka shot at My Kind of Place, Delhi’s most exclusive and elegant night club, and follow it up with kebabs and music by DJ Sam & Tony..
• Banquets presents ‘The Show Girls’ – belly dancing by the world’s only twin belly dancers from the US and spectacular fireworks at midnight

For reservations and information call the Festivity Desks at
011-6110202 ext.: 3621/3837/3991.