The Taj Mahal Palace History, Amenities, Routes, Vacation Packages, Tariff, Facts And More
Rate The Taj Mahal Palace as Hotel here
PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME
The Taj Mahal Palace
OTHER NAMES
The Taj Hotel
COUNTRY
India
ADDRESS
Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India.
THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE PICTURE
More Information
About The Taj Mahal Palace
The luxurious Taj Hotel is located in the Colaba region of Mumbai, Maharashtra. Legend has it that Jamsetji Tata built The Taj after he was denied entrance in of the the luxury hotels in the city, the Watson's Hotel. On the contrary, it is said that it was his "love for the city" and a gift to show his admiration for the city of Mumbai.
Some Lesser Known Facts About The Taj Mahal Palace
- The Taj Hotel is a famous 5-star luxury hotel in the Colaba region in the heart of the city of Mumbai. It lies next to the Gateway of India .
- The Taj was commanded to be built by Jamsetji Tata. Its construction was finished in the year 1903. The architects involved in its building were Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza. The builder appointed for the project was Khansaheb Sorabji Ruttonji Contractor. Its total cost of construction is estimated to be £250,000.
- The Taj has hosted numerous distinguishable personalities. Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Mick Jagger, Sarojini Naidu, Prince of Wales, King and Queen of Norway, Muhammad Ali- Jinnah, Bill Clinton, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Jacques René Chirac to name a few.
- A popular tale states that Jamshedji Tata built the hotel because he was refused entry at Watson Hotel which was for 'whites only.' But others contradict that he built it when urged upon by the then-editor of The Times of India to build a hotel that captures the essence of Bombay.
- The Gateway of India was built after 21 years of the construction of The Taj by the Viceroy, the Earl of Reading.
- In the year 1972, an additional wing completely different from the hotel in its style of architecture, The Taj Mahal Tower, was built.
- It has an accomodation of 560 rooms, 44 suites, and 1,500 staff members, including 35 butlers. It was the first hotel in India to employ English butlers.
- Despite the top quality service provided by the hotel authorities, no one can ignore the scary past of the hotel. On November 26, 2008, every Indian heard the shocking news when the hotel was attacked by a terrorist group called Lashkar-e-Taiba. They not only did material damage to the hotel but also killed over 167 guests, including many foreigners. Though, Indian commandos killed the terrorists who had seized the hotel and taken over the control until November 29. But the wounds of the attacks are unforgettable. A big time was taken to rebuild the hotel back to its reputation. The Taj opened its door again in the year 2010.
- A popular tale states that Jamshedji Tata built the hotel because he was refused entry at Watson Hotel which was for 'whites only.' But others contradict that he built it when urged upon by the then-editor of The Times of India to build a hotel that captures the essence of Bombay.
- Many people believe that the souls of those who were killed in the terrorist attack still wandering in the hotel.
- Also, there is a story of the architect who designed this masterpiece. W.A. Chambers who was the architect appointed for the hotel when he came from England and realized that the hotel is not made according to his plans. He jumped from the fifth floor and ended his life. It is believed that his ghosts still haunt the hotel.
USER RATING FOR THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE