Candida Moraes

With the acquisition of the Ritz-Carlton, Boston, the Taj Group has hoisted its flag in yet another premier city. Away from the corporate jungle, the Taj has also responded to the call of the wild with a tripartite venture into tiger territory

Royal lineage
The Taj Boston has royalty written all over it. Since it first opened its doors to guests in May 1927, it has welcomed kings, queens, movie stars and heads of state, including Winston Churchill and John F Kennedy.

The hotel has pioneered many of the things we now take for granted at a luxury hotel in America — private baths in guest rooms, white tie and apron uniforms for the staff, and fresh flowers tastefully arranged in the lobby areas. It was extensively renovated in 2002, in its 75^th year.

Last November when the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces announced the $170-million acquisition of the 273-room hotel, managing director Raymond Bickson expressed his delight thus: "The Ritz-Carlton is one of New England's finest hotels and a premiere social address in Boston. Its rich heritage, superb location and grand architecture make it an ideal fit for Taj." On January 12, 2007, the distinctive white and gold flag of the Taj Group was unfurled at the Arlington Street entrance, marking the official change of name to Taj Boston.

With a legacy stretching back to 1903, the Taj pedigree matches that of Boston's landmark hotel. Such an illustrious parentage is bound to add lustre to the Taj Boston. Bickson affirmed this: "Everyone in the hotel world is aware of the elegance and class that has distinguished the Ritz-Carlton, Boston for generations. We are focused on making the Taj Boston experience a wonderful event for generations to come."

David Gibbons, the newly appointed general manager of the Taj Boston, is also confident that the hotel will continue to live up to its reputation for unparalleled luxury and superior service. "We will do everything to ensure that our guests are delighted with every service offered by the Taj Boston," he said, assuring the staff and loyal guests of the hotel that they do not plan to make any major changes beyond the new name.

Known for its distinctive hospitality, Taj now has a portfolio of 75 properties, including some of the world's most luxurious and iconic hotels. Hotels outside India include the award winning Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Resorts in Mauritius & Maldives, 51 Buckingham Gate in London, Blue, Woolloomooloo Bay in Sydney and the princely Taj Palace in Dubai.

Growing aggressively, the Taj Group is slated to open four new luxury properties in the next two years — the Taj Exotica Resort, Spa and Golf in Doha, Qatar (2008); the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on the Palm Jumeirah Crescent in Dubai (2008); the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in Phuket, Thailand (2009), and a yet-unnamed luxury hotel in Cape Town, South Africa (2008).

Taj Wilderness Lodges will be built on the outskirts of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Panna Tiger Reserve, and Corbett National Park.

In keeping with the community service and conservation principles of the Taj Group and CC Africa, care will be taken to protect the environment and initiate socially relevant programmes for people living near the lodges. Speaking on the subject, Bickson, elaborated, "We will make a concentrated effort to improve the quality of safari management in India and take it to international standards, while promoting wildlife and eco-tourism within the country."

This initiative comes at an opportune time. Increasing number of tourists are being attracted to the rich and varied wildlife in India. The country has a large number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and is home to 410 species of mammals, 447 species of reptiles and more than 1,200 species of birds. It is also one of the few places to spot the one-horned rhino and the Bengal Tiger in their natural habitat.

The Taj safari experience will offer visitors a fascinating India alternative to the African safari. "Staying in one of these unique Indian lodges, guests will not only be able to experience the extraordinary tiger reserves, they will also make a meaningful contribution to three of the country's most precious resources — its land, its wildlife and its people," says CC Africa CEO Steve Fitzgerald.

Designed by architect Dean D'Cruz and CC Africa's designer Chris Browne, who heads the entire project, the lodges will offer personalised service. Guests will have a choice of staying in tents, tree houses or suites.

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve lodge called 'Mahua Kothi', unveiled on November 1, 2006, offers a unique opportunity to discover the beautiful jungle of Bandhavgarh National Park, learn about the rich biodiversity of central India from a CC Africa trained naturalist, travel in comfort in a specially designed Tata open 4x4 safari vehicle, view tigers whilst riding an elephant, indulge in twice-daily safaris in the reserve, tick off Bandhavgarh's ten Star Birds (a unique Taj and CC Africa programme), or just absorb the sights and sounds of a traditional Madhya Pradesh village.

The 12 cottages built in the vernacular style of central India called kutiyas have traditional touches such as mud floored courtyards, swings, wooden shutters, handmade pottery roof tiles and local textile furnishings. A stay at 'Mahua Kothi' includes accommodation, food and beverages and scheduled safari activities.

A second wilderness lodge, 'Baghvan', will be launched on the border of the Pench National Park in February 2007. This lodge boasts of 12 stand-alone suites, rebuilt to provide the utmost luxury and comfort. All the suites have a contemporary bungalow feel with a 1950s ambience. Handmade Parsi tiles, woven hyacinth furniture and giant ebony chests lend charm and grace to the guest areas.

The other three lodges at Panna, Kanha and Corbett will be unveiled by early 2008. All three lodges will have individual themes in terms of design and furnishings. The Panna stone huts will be done in earthy hues, bleached stone and cotton furnishings. The Kanha lodge will have a jungle motif theme with the use of canvas, foliage green and woodwork. The suites at the Corbett lodge will have rustic stone-finished walls and rural artefacts that lend a rural feel. Each suite will also have its own private pool.

Deep in the lap of nature, cocooned in Taj's legendary hospitality and CC Africa's unique expertise, a stay at these lodges promises to be a wildly exciting experience!

Uploaded on April 4, 2007