Taj Mahal Palace Hotel

Since its opening in 1903, The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai has created its own unique history. It has been the host for Maharajas and Princes to various Kings, Presidents, CEOs and entertainers. The hotel is an architectural wonder and brings together Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. With views of the Arabian Sea, the hotel is a gracious landmark of the city of Mumbai, showcasing contemporary Indian influences along with vaulted alabaster ceilings, onyx columns, graceful archways, hand-woven silk carpets, crystal chandeliers,and  an art collection,

The hotel was the site of a bloody terrorist attack in 2008 .

From  its inception the Taj has had an important role to play in the history of Mumbai, with a story around every turn. So how did it come into existence?

As it happens, the city of Mumbai was suffering from the bubonic plague in the late nineteenth century, and with the economy of Mumbai was suffering as well. Jamsetji Tata decided to build the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel not only to restore the image of Mumbai, but also to encourage people to come back to trade.

Over the last hundred-odd years the Taj has seen the building of the Gateway of India , the first licensed bar in the city

Walking through the hotel you can see some of that history. The foyers of the ground floor are lined with photographs of various personalities who have stayed in the hotel. The main staircase in the hotel was where Mountbatten gave his last speech on Indian soil.