Taj Residency — The best 5 star hotel in India
January 29, 2005

The Taj Residency, a Taj Business Hotel, has been awarded the National Tourism Award for the year 2003-04 for the "Best 5-star Hotel in India" by the ministry of tourism, government of India. The hotel competed with more than 80 hotels in the 5 star categories. The other categories include deluxe 5-star, 4-star, 3-star and other hotels.

The ministry of tourism felicitates organisations in the public and private sector that have shown their consistent and unflinching commitment to quality. The award was handed over to Rajiv Narain, general manager, Taj Residency by Renuka Choudhary, minister of state for tourism (independent charge) at a function organised on the occasion of National Tourism Day at New Delhi on January 25, 2005.

The award is recognition of the services rendered by the hotel in the following areas:

• Highest foreign exchange earnings per room.
  
• Incremental earnings in forex over the previous year
  
• Highest percentage increase in foreign tourists arrivals
  
• Facilities for physically challenged guests
  
• Eco-friendly practices followed by the hotel
  
• And social responsibility practices followed by the hotel
  

Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Narain, general manager, Taj Residency said, “This award is not only a very good news to our hotel but also for the twin cities. It reinforces the hotel’s position as one of the finest 5-star hotels in the country. But more importantly this award will go a long way in consolidating Hyderabad’s image as an ideal tourist and business destination.”

Taj Residency has been upgrading and renovating itself continuously over the past year and recently renovated more than 70 of its rooms to make sure that its guests experience the best comforts during their stay. The hotel is undertaking the renovation of the remaining 50 rooms in this year at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. Taj Residency was also given the award for “service excellence” by the department of tourism, government of Andhra Pradesh in 2002.

With an intention of taking the next step in making Taj Residency a hotel of the highest standards, the hotel is going in for audit for HACCP certificate in the month of March 2005. HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certificate is a worldwide benchmark in food hygiene. It entails stringent compliance to process, which ensures food handling, and food processing are of highest standard. HACCP audit is conducted by B.V.Q.I; the most widely recognised certification body in the world, offering solutions in the key strategic fields of quality, health and safety, environment and social responsibility.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of South Asia’s largest and finest groups of hotels, comprising 58 hotels in 38 locations across India with an additional 14 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, UK, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its flagship hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India’s premier business house.