As a long-time fan of Taj Hotels, I often use the complimentary American Express Taj vouchers that come with the Amex Platinum Travel Card. Over the years I’ve enjoyed several memorable stays, including one at Taj Fisherman’s Cove in 2018. Recently I took the opportunity to book a stay at The Taj Mahal Palace to mark my 30th birthday—an occasion I wanted to make special despite feeling a bit half-lived at that milestone.
Table of Contents
- Booking
- Lobby & Check-in
- The Room
- The View
- The Palace
- Breakfast & Dinner
- The Resident’s Lounge
- The Experience
- Bottomline
Booking
- Usual revenue rate: ~Rs.30,000/night
- Offer rate: ~Rs.13,000+GST
- I paid: Rs.10k Taj voucher + balance on card
I booked during a promotional period: reserve a room in the Taj Mahal towers for about Rs.13k+GST and receive a confirmed upgrade to a Taj Mahal Palace city-view room with lounge access. Using a Taj voucher reduced the cash outlay significantly.
Lobby & Check-in
The main entrance drops you into a large shared lobby serving both the Palace and the Towers. Since my reservation was for the Palace, we were directed to the Palace’s dedicated check-in area, which felt relatively compact for such an iconic property.
I had requested a sea-view room in advance but had to repeat the request at check-in. An upgrade was granted, likely helped by my TIC Gold status.
Note: I’ve noticed Taj’s Gold recognition can be inconsistent compared with other chains like Marriott; request notes aren’t always checked thoroughly.
The Room
The room was clean and well presented. Each room has slightly different interior finishes and wall colors, giving rooms individual character.
To mark my birthday, the team decorated the room with balloons and brought cake, flowers and a small commemorative pillow. They also served a welcome drink shortly after arrival—pleasant, though not to my exact taste.
Here are some photos of the room:
The View
Our room offered an excellent view of the Gateway of India. During my stay Mumbai experienced a range of weather—sun, overcast skies and heavy monsoon rain—so the view changed dramatically throughout the day.
The windows open to the street below, which is great for time-lapse shots and people-watching. A word of warning: leaving the windows open for long can invite curious pigeons indoors.
The Palace
The Taj Mahal Palace is expansive and worth a couple of hours to explore. The hotel offers a complimentary one-hour heritage tour in the evening, which highlights the property’s history and architecture.
The Palace can feel busy and noisy in public areas, especially along the walkway that links to the Towers. Inside the guest rooms, however, it’s peaceful and quiet.
Several luxury boutiques and a bakery are located within the property, making it convenient for shopping or picking up treats without leaving the hotel.
Breakfast & Dinner
The hotel has multiple dining venues, including access to the Towers’ restaurants for a more contemporary setting. The Palace restaurants maintain a classic, historic ambiance.
We had breakfast at the Sea Lounge, which is known for dining with views of the Gateway of India, though we didn’t secure a window-side table. The breakfast spread is solid but not as extensive as some competitors; hot items ordered from the menu are prepared fresh.
If you want local street food instead, options like Bade Miya and other quick spots are only a short walk away.
The Resident’s Lounge
I had high expectations for the lounge but was somewhat underwhelmed. The Resident’s Lounge on the ground floor offered basic snack options rather than an elaborate spread typical of some other hotel loyalty lounges.
I enjoyed a great cup of chocolate coffee and some tasty biscuits—simple, but well executed. The lounge is pleasant for a visit, but don’t expect an extensive buffet-style offering.
Verdict: worth visiting but manage expectations on food variety.
The Experience
If you prefer to remain in-room, Palace Services (the hotel’s butler service) covers many needs efficiently. Staff are present and attentive in public areas, offering greetings and assistance that often enhance the stay.
The team makes extra efforts to create memorable moments. For example, when a friend asked about suite options, the floor manager invited us to view a Grand Luxury Suite. We were also gifted a Tranquil Sleep product from Forest Essentials—an unexpected and appreciated touch that showed the hotel’s willingness to personalize guest experiences.
Here’s a short video tour from my stay at The Taj Mahal Palace:
Bottomline
- CardExpert Rating: 4.5/5
The Taj Mahal Palace is an outstanding property with hospitality that remains hard to match. Staff are well trained and eager to fulfill requests, making stays feel special. That said, the location and hotel attract many visitors, so public areas can be busy. If you prefer a quieter neighborhood, hotels like Oberoi Nariman Point or Trident near Marine Drive offer a more peaceful alternative.
My stay was made possible by the American Express Platinum Travel Card and its Taj voucher benefit. For travelers who value memorable experiences, that card can be a valuable addition to the wallet.
Have you stayed at The Taj Mahal Palace or are you planning a visit? If you use Amex Taj vouchers, where do you typically redeem them? Share your thoughts in the comments below.