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Embodying
an era of tradition and hospitality, the architectural wonders
— the Taj Palace Hotels — continue the legacy of
regal indulgence
India is
a multi-hued cultural mosaic, enriched by ethnic, religious
and linguistic diversity. India also boasts of an eclectic
blend of architectural marvels belonging to various periods
of her long and colourful history.
Taj Hotels took on the mantle of keeping
alive this heritage through its tradition of hospitality.
Sensitive to the need to nurture the country's heritage monuments,
Taj Hotels has taken care to preserve, and wherever possible,
restore its palaces to their original glory.
The Taj's bouquet of palace hotels
includes the surreal Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, the glorious
Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, the magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace
in Jodhpur, the legendary Usha Kiran Palace in Gwalior, the
exotic Taj Hari Mahal in Jodhpur, the stately Jai Mahal Palace
in Jaipur, and the classic Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad stand
testimony to the Taj's commitment to strengthen and preserve
India's rich heritage.
Refurbished with modern luxuries, these
exquisite palaces have become true reflections of the grandeur
and luxury of Indian royalty, attracting guests from across
the globe. Undoubtedly, Taj Hotels has proved to be a worthy
guardian of India legacy.
Taj Lake
Palace, Udaipur
The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur,
with its majestic allure, continues to be recognised as one
of the most enduring symbols of Indian architecture. Originally
built by Maharana Jagat Singh II as a summer retreat in 1746,
the palace has witnessed many additions and adornments by successive
rulers. Today, Taj Hotels, with its legacy of hospitality, carries
the mantle of royal tradition and offers patrons the experience
previously reserved for royalty.
With a seamless blend of modern luxuries
and old-world charm, each of the 63 guestrooms and 18 suites
at the Taj Lake Palace exemplifies a royal lifestyle. Every
room and suite is distinct in design, capturing a different
mood and period.
The Khush Mahal Suite, is adorned with
stained glass windows; the Mayur Mahal Suite, inspired by
the vibrant colours of the peacock is decked in motley hues
with peacock motifs, and the Sajjan Niwas Suite is evocative
of old-world charm having intricately carved furniture, delicately
painted glass inlay wall panels and elaborate mirror work
on the doors.
The Royal Spa at the Taj Lake Palace offers age-old wellness
and holistic treatments, signature royal massages, aromatherapy
and the 'Rajasthani Ubtan' — a traditional scrub and
clay pack — to rejuvenate guests. After invigorating
the senses, guests can retire to the Gyan Sagar, the reading
room of the palace, or try their hand at backgammon, chess
or drafts. Alternatively, they may take a heritage walk of
the Taj Lake Palace to learn of the palace's history, or learn
the ancient Rajasthani art of miniature painting, and participate
in cooking demonstrations in the palace kitchens.
Overlooking the Lily Pond is Neel Kamal,
the Taj Lake Palace's restaurant where guests can sample local
Rajasthani fare and other Indian favourites. For an informal
dining experience, Jharokha is the perfect setting. Twosomes
can also enjoy a cosy meal on a pontoon in the placid waters
of the lake at sunrise or sunset.
Rambagh
Palace, Jaipur
Spread over 47 acres of landscaped
gardens, the sprawling Rambagh Palace of Jaipur was built in
1835 as a modest four-room pavilion for the queen's favourite
handmaiden. It was later refurbished as a royal guesthouse and
hunting lodge, and named Rambagh after Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh
II. The Maharaja's grandson, Sawai Man Singh II, was brought
here on his accession in 1910.
In 1925, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II
elevated Rambagh to the status of a palace by making it his
royal residence. In 1940, he married Princess Gayatri Devi
of Cooch Behar and brought her to Rambagh as his bride —
the Maharani still occupies a portion of the palace. Rambagh
remained the home of the Jaipur royal family until 1957, when
it was first converted into a luxury hotel by the Maharaja.
In 1972, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces assumed management
of Rambagh Palace.
Rambagh's elegantly appointed rooms overlooking courtyards
with fountains, verdant gardens and idyllic front lawns, marbled
corridors and airy verandas reverberate with history. The
palace has 90 rooms including four princely suites.
The Maharani Suite with rich silks,
brocades, Rajasthani antiques and a canopied ceiling over
the sitting area lend a regal flair to the room. The Maharaja
Suite, on the other hand, has a distinct European flavour
with rich Burma teak panels and cascading silks. The five
sprawling gardens of Rambagh are a horticultural wonder.
The legendary Polo Bar, adorned with
ancient sepia tone photographs, trophies and royal memorabilia,
invites guests to spend a leisurely evening. Aperitifs, signature
cocktails and a fine assortment of wines, malts, liqueurs
and Cuban cigars help guests unwind before a fine-dining experience
of Continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani culinary delights
at the grand Suvarna Mahal.
Cultural programmes held under the
stars take guests back in time. Palace guests can also purchase
beautiful Rajasthani arts, artefacts and handicrafts at the
Meena Bazaar set up in the palace grounds.
Umaid Bhawan
Palace, Jodhpur
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is a splendid
example of the Indo-Saracenic and the art deco style of the
1930s. It is one of the largest and grandest private residences
in the world. Perched atop Chittar Hill in Jodhpur, amid 26
acres of lush gardens, this magnificent edifice was conceived
as the centrepiece of Maharaja Umaid Singh's famine-relief plan
to provide employment to his drought-affected subjects.
Over 3,000 artisans worked for more
than 14 years to create this 347-room architectural wonder
that was finally completed in 1943. Since then it has served
as the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family. In
1977, the palace was converted into a luxury hotel and is
now managed by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.
With its 30 luxury rooms and 15 suites,
the hotel preserves the glorious heritage of the palace, yet
provides every modern comfort to its guests. The Maharani
Suite, originally designed for Maharani Badan Kanwar, is dominated
by murals of Goddess Kali etched on shining black glass, with
a long veranda overlooking the gardens and the Mehrangarh
Fort. The Maharaja Suite, originally Maharaja Umaid Singh's
personal suite, is adorned with murals of leopards, tigers
and horses. The suite features a dining room, a private bar,
sitting room, a master bedroom, private spa therapy room,
and a fully refurbished six-fixture bathroom with adjoining
steam room.
The palace also offers guests the art
deco Trophy Bar; Risala, the a la carte Victorian-styled restaurant;
the Zodiac Swimming Pool; marbled squash courts; tennis courts;
and a holistic spa that promises rejuvenation for body, mind
and soul.
Taj Mahal
Palace & Tower, Mumbai
Host to Maharajas, heads of state,
dignitaries, corporate czars and eminent personalities from
across the globe, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai
embodies over 100 years of Indian history and hospitality. An
amalgam of Moorish, Oriental and Florentine architectural styles,
this edifice is an architectural marvel and a historical wonder.
Since opening its doors in 1903, the
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower continues to be the most impressionable
image of Indian hospitality and refined luxury. Built by the
legendary Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the Taj is a tribute
to the city that Jamsetji was so passionate about.
Comprising two wings, the hotel offers
a choice of 546 rooms that combine traditional décor
with modern comforts. The Palace houses 50 generously appointed
suites. In these suites, guests will find stories of those
who have shared the same space years before — international
luminaries such as George Bernard Shaw, Sir Richard Attenborough,
Yehudi Menuhin, Margaret Thatcher, Mick Jagger, Prince Charles
and Jacqueline Onassis.
Inspired by the culinary traditions
of India, Europe, the Middle East and the Orient, the restaurants
of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower have been trendsetters
in their own right. The Zodiac Grill, which opened in the
year 1989, has often been voted as one of the finest restaurants
in the country. Guest can also choose from India's first 24-hour
coffee shop, Shamiana; the Sea Lounge, which offers eclectic
fare; the interactive open kitchen at Masala Kraft; Souk,
which offers East Mediterranean cuisine; Mumbai's first Chinese
restaurant to serve Schezwan, the Golden Dragon; Wasabi by
Morimoto, the sushi bar and interactive Tepanyaki counter.
The bars at the Taj Mahal Palace &
Tower are equally legendary. Established in 1933, the Harbour
Bar is Mumbai's oldest bar; the rooftop Apollo Bar; and Insomnia,
the Taj nightclub.
For complete rejuvenation, guests can
slip into the Jiva Spa, which has a fitness studio, yoga room,
massage parlour and aromatherapy facilities. And for the adventurous,
the Taj luxury yacht offers three-air-conditioned bedrooms,
a salon complete with a bar and entertainment system as well
as ferry services.
Although it was over than three decades ago that the Indian
State sought to abolish princely powers and royal privileges,
the style and the spirit of the Maharaja continue to live
on through the Taj's palace hotels.
Excerpts from the article 'Grand
palaces of the Taj' that appeared in the We are the Taj,
the internal magazine of the Taj Group.
Uploaded on December
16, 2005
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