The flagship hotel has been undergoing renovation post the terror attacks in November 2008. The iconic hotel has received extensive restoration by internationally acclaimed designers such as Lissoni Associati, Milan; BAMO, San Francisco; LTW Design Works, Kuala Lumpur; and James Park Associates, Singapore. The Palace Wing accommodation including the Taj Club rooms, Grande Luxury rooms, individually themed Grand Suites are adorned with precious artwork and state-of-the-art technology.
The Palace Wing has undergone extensive renovation. The Palace Lounge acts as a private retreat, exclusive to residents of the Palace Wing. Customised bath experience is offered in the luxuriously appointed bathrooms. High-end technology and media interactive systems at the touch of a button ensure that guest experiences are wired for efficiency and comfort. All Taj Club rooms and suites come with Jaguar chauffeured transfers.
The restaurants and eateries at the Taj such as Sea Lounge, Golden Dragon and the Taj Ballroom by LTW, and the Harbour Bar and Wasabi by Morimoto have also been renovated, designed by the Rockwell Group. The renovation has added amenities such as ergonomic furniture, a home theatre system and bathrooms with Italian marble and rain showerheads. The 285-room Palace wing will include 42 suites, of which 19 are themed such as the Coral, Maratha, Dutch and Dolphin.
The 5,000 square feet Tata Suite named after the owner Ratan Tata, which is the property’s most expensive suite, will reopen in September 2010. A new duplex suite named after legendary Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar will open in late 2010 in the refurbished Palace Wing.
The hotel has also restored its more than 300 paintings including those by modern Indian masters such as Vasudeo S Gaitonde and Jehangir Sabavala. Earlier most of the hotel’s notable art was scattered in hallways and guestrooms. Post renovation, the Taj will showcase its possessions in three prominent locations: a banquet hall, a lounge and a sea-facing bar just off the main lobby.
At the re-opening ceremony held on 12 August 2010, chairman of Indian Hotels Company Ratan Tata, vice chairman of Indian Hotels Company R K Krishna Kumar and MD and CEO of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Raymond Bickson, paid tribute to the hotel and its staff.
On 26 November 2008, in a series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the hotel was attacked, during which most of the material damage occurred including the destruction of the roof of the hotel. It took 21 months to assess and restore damage, and cost more than $38 million in repairs. Several less damaged wings were opened earlier.
Part of the Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, this iconic 105-year old heritage building retains its stature as the flagship property of the Group and contains 565 rooms. The Taj Mahal Palace hotel resort was commissioned in Indo-Saracenic style and first opened its doors to guests on 16 December 1903. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India’s premier business house.
