The year is 2008, and the time is Thanksgiving. My heart sank into my shoes when I heard about the Islamic militant siege on innocent guests at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, one of Mumbai's iconic buildings that sits majestically overlooking the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea.
Moorish, Florentine and Oriental styles come together in gracious confluence in this 107-year old hotel, which opens its doors to the general public today — India's Independence Day.
This harmonious, impeccable restoration is both an act of defiance and a tribute to the human spirit. The palace wing has been restored to its former glory, and guests are able to enjoy an even more customized experience than before.
Now guests can choose from 285 newly-restored luxury guest rooms, and if you're a Palace Wing guest, you can dip your toe even more into the pool of luxury and a range of new Palace services, which include:
- Daily access to the ground floor Palace Lounge with complimentary beverage and food services for all guests; Taj Club and suite guests get offered cocktails and wine;
- Access to a 24 hour butler service;
- Complimentary breakfast and high tea in the Sea Lounge;
- Concierge printing of boarding passes prior to departure.
A restored painting by Laxman Pai (at right) in the Harbour Bar at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel: Photo courtesy of The New York Times
The hotel was refurbished and restored along with the prized paintings. The newly-restored Luxury Grand Rooms have a roomy, residential-quality feel to them, with Rajput bay windows showing E.M. Forster-like views. If you have ever felt like living life like emperor Akbar, you may well have to hightail it here.
The artwork managed to escape the siege because it was framed in thick glass, but it too needed restoration. The hotel estimates it has spent closed to $50 million for the restoration of the rooms and artwork.