Taj Mahal Palace Hotel , Mumbai

This grand and glorious heritage palace hotel on the harbour in Apollo Bandar is enormous and internationally acclaimed. The palace itself was constructed in 1903, inspired by Moorish, Florentine, and Oriental architectural styles. The result is quite dramatic, featuring more than 500 rooms and hundreds of valuable artefacts, paintings, and works of art. There’s a more modern tower wing next door to the original palace, constructed in 1973 in a European and more corporate style to accommodate the throngs of enthused hotel guests. The location can’t be topped: it’s right next door to the Gateway of India.

The artefacts, artworks, and memorabilia displayed proudly throughout the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel set it apart. There is Bastar tribal art, Goan Christian artefacts, Anglo-Indian pieces of furniture, and enormous chandeliers from Belgium. Wherever you choose to dine or stay, you’ll never be short of something fascinating and beautiful to admire up close.

The many hundred rooms and 44 suites are all sumptuously decorated in an olde-worlde Indian regal style with all the usual luxury amenities. If you’re there for the memorable experience, choose a room in the original Palace Wing. Wherever you decide to stay, you’ll find a wealth of luxury facilities, among them a famous Jiva spa, outdoor and indoor pools, seven restaurants, two bars, and a sea lounge with wraparound views of the Arabian Sea.

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai is not an intimate boutique experience, but it’s a grand and important part of the city’s glorious history. Families are also particularly well looked after here. Highly recommended.