Is It Worth Staying at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai? A Complete Review
As soon as I had my flight ticket to Mumbai, I knew one thing: I have to stay at least one night at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Which is exactly what I did. Mainly because it is not only a hotel, it’s a Mumbai’s iconic landmark which once hosted even King George V and Queen Mary. It is surely one of the finest hotels in Asia to stay. However, for those considering a stay, this question often arises: Is it truly worth staying at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai? This review dives deep into the various aspects of the Taj Mahal Palace based on my personal experience, helping you decide if this iconic hotel offers the value and experience you’re seeking.
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Short on time? Here are my top recommendations:
- Taj Mahal Palace – book your stay
- Mumbai Guided Tour – highest graded tour
History of the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai
Built in 1903, the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai is a grand hotel with a view of the Arabian Sea that stands opposite to the Gateway of India, one of the most popular sites in Mumbai. It has been considered one of the finest hotels in the East since the time of the British Raj.
Ever since its opening, Taj Mahal Palace has become an icon of Mumbai and is a place where many famous people choose to stay. As mentioned already, King George V and Queen Mary were one of the very first famous people to stay there (and first of the British royalty), and were later followed by: The Beatles, Mick Jagger, Alfred Hitchcock, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the Dalai Lama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and even Neil Armstrong! There are framed photos on the wall in the common area with all the famous people who were guests there.
Beside its glorious history, it is important to mention a tragic event of 2008 when Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was one of the targeted locations of the terrorist attack.
However, after the attack, rigorous security systems were implemented and today it is very safe to stay there. Generally, that whole district of Colaba is the safest and best for tourists who are visiting Mumbai.
📖 Planning a trip to Mumbai? Check my Mumbai 3 Days Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time Perfectly blog post.
Location and Accessibility
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is situated in Colaba, a district of South Mumbai. Because it’s located in the most popular and touristy area, it is very close to all the main attractions in Mumbai, which are all easily explored on foot: Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, Flora Fountain, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Crawford & Colaba Markets and Marine Drive.
🫶 If you’re not feeling comfortable exploring Mumbai on your own and/or you would like to learn more about each sight from a local guide, I recommend this highly rated guided tour.
It is also very easy to reach the hotel from the airport: you can either take an Uber or get a pre-ordered private transfer.
All of this makes the location of Taj Mahal Palace Hotel very accessible.
Accommodation and Room Types
Firstly, you can choose to stay at either their Palace Wing or Tower Wing (newer adjacent addition to the original building). Both buildings offer a wide range of rooms and suites. They come with either no particular view, city view or sea view. If you’re staying in Tower, then the Mumbai views are probably better the higher up you go.
I stayed in the Palace Wing and booked a Luxury Grande Room City View. Needless to say, it was perfect. The room was so beautifully decorated and the bathroom, especially the bathtub, was amazing!
The Palace Wing rooms have an old-world charm, with high ceilings, vintage decor and furnishings that reflect the hotel’s rich heritage. For a more contemporary feel, the Tower Wing rooms provide modern amenities, spacious interiors and of course stunning city views.
Whichever building or room you choose, I’m sure you’d enjoy it!
Amenities and Services
For the first time in my life I felt like Kevin from Home Alone: Lost in New York. You know that scene when he’s at the Plaza Hotel and his butler keeps bringing him whatever he’s asking for? Well, it’s EXACTLY like that at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Basically, everyone gets their own butler who’s at your service all the time!
In terms of amenities, my favourite is the outdoor swimming pool. Make sure to spend a day there relaxing, reading your favourite book and having a cocktail.
Also, you can indulge yourself into the Jiva Spa, which offers traditional Indian therapies – a holistic rejuvenation of mind, body, and soul.
Dining Experiences
The Taj Mahal Palace is as much a culinary destination as it is a hotel. It has 9 high-end restaurants where you can indulge in both Indian and international cuisine. Wasabi by Morimoto is a must-visit if you’re a Japanese cuisine lover, while Souk offers Mediterranean cuisine with stunning views of the city.
The Sea Lounge is famous for its afternoon tea and gorgeous sunset views.
Other restaurants/bars you can enjoy: La Patisserie (pastry shop), Golden Dragon (India’s first Chinese restaurant), Harbour Bar (Mumbai’s first licensed bar), Shamiana (a cafe) and Aquarius (a poolside lounge).
My husband and I were staying at Taj Mahal Palace exactly on Valentine’s Day and sadly all the restaurants were pre-booked because they can be enjoyed even if you’re not staying there. But fortunately for us the hotel also organised a private barbecue dinner at the poolside area for guests-only. And not only that, they also hired a jazz band to make the evening even more romantic. And honestly, I am glad things turned out that way because to this day, it was my favourite Valentine’s Day.
General Guest Experiences and Reviews
It’s not hard to guess by now that I absolutely loved my stay at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. However, for a more balanced overview, I summarised here some of the reviews of other guests.
Firstly, I’d love to point out that the general rating of Taj Mahal Palace on Booking is 9.1 Superb.
In terms of the guest feedback, it consistently highlights the hotel’s service, ambiance and attention to detail. Many guests describe the Taj Mahal Palace as a “home away from home,” with the staff going out of their way to ensure comfort. Common praises include the cleanliness of the rooms, the elegance of the decor and the readiness of staff to accommodate special requests.
The staff is extremely warm and was fully committed to making the hotel a second home for its guests. The history, heritage and hospitality of this place makes it a must-have experience. Don’t miss the Heritage Walk with Mr. Newton D’Souza! The history of the Hotel is fascinating!
I loved everything! The history, the architecture, the attention to every detail!
What a hotel, it was perfect, such a beautiful building. Very clean and tidy. Sooo much history. Staff very helpful to help with big smile on their faces.
However, some reviews mention that rooms in the Taj Mahal Tower Wing can feel less opulent compared to those in the Palace Wing. Despite these minor notes, the vast majority of reviews express high satisfaction.
Pricing and Value for Money
While staying at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel won’t be a budget-friendly choice, it is also not going to break your bank!
On the contrary, the prices here are what I love to call affordable luxury. For example, a 1 night stay for 2 people starts from only £254 ($321). Keeping in mind that this is a 5 star luxury hotel in a historical and heritage building of Mumbai, I honestly don’t think it is too much.
I have personally paid 1 night for 2 people with breakfast included £372 ($471) and I still feel like this was very affordable! I mean, such hotels in Europe and the US would cost at least 2x more…
If you’re seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience or celebrating a special occasion, the Taj Mahal Palace offers excellent value. While budget-conscious travellers might find the rates challenging, the memories and experiences offered here are often worth the investment.
Is it Worth Staying at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai
As you could see, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is more than just a hotel. It is a historical, culturally important landmark that also offers amazing culinary and relaxation experiences.
It was so good to stay there, that I even cancelled my plans for visiting Elephanta islands and instead spent the whole day enjoying everything this hotel has to offer. No regrets!
While it is not the most affordable stay you can have in India, it is also not the most expensive one.
Personally, I loved it there so much that I already know where I’m staying the next time I’m in Mumbai.
With that, yes, it is so worth saying at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
Book Your Stay at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
After everything you’ve read here, I hope you’ve decided to stay at the Taj Mahal Palace. I’m sure you’d have such a great time there, and if you go, let me know how you found it!
✅ BOOK YOUR STAY AT THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE MUMBAI
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