The Taj Mahal Palace, Bombay that opened in 1903, was the magnet that drew cosmopolitan travellers of the world. Seventy-five years down the line, the brand travelled to the national capital with the Taj Mansingh in 1978. It made its entry into a city that was already home to properties from the Raj era—the very colonial Imperial, the Ashoka of the maharajahs, Oberoi, the first modern five-star, and of course, the Maurya, which opened its doors around the same time. One might have thought that the Taj would have tough competition and it would be difficult to fill its opulent rooms and suites, not to forget, do justice to its rich menu across its speciality restaurants. But far from it.
The Taj brought with it a touch of Bombay glamour of those days. The Who’s Who of Bombay were more at home at the Taj, which boasted a cosmopolitan staff and a global touch to its service, than anywhere else in Delhi. And where Bombay goes, the rest of India—and even the elite from foreign shores—follow. It’s been 40 years since, and that glamour remains.
Speaking on the momentous occasion, Satyajeet Krishnan, area director-North and general manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi, says, “The hotel has pioneered many innovations in hospitality, from stellar culinary excellence, to guest services and destination experiences. It is an ambassador of the legendary Taj hospitality and a hotel that truly defines the destination.”
The Taj has hosted the biggest names of all—from celebrated artist Anjolie Ela Menon, for whom the Indian restaurant Varq is like a ‘second home’ and whose immense mural still adorns the walls—to dignitaries and royalty such as Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, and the Gen X celebrity, Mark Zuckerberg, to name a few. In fact, one of the fondest stories told in the service corridors is about Beatles band member George Harrison. Apparently one day, Harrison was at a flower shop on the road across the Taj. He was so intrigued and attracted by the beautiful façade of the hotel that he simply walked in and decided to stay at The Taj from then on.
From having chronicled trends and setting benchmarks, this legendary hotel gave the city its first 24-hour international eatery, Machan, and the first Chinese restaurant in a five-star, House of Ming. The hotel also opened its doors to one of the city’s most popular discotheques, The Number One, and was home to stellar restaurants—Haveli (now Varq), Casa Medici and The Captain’s Cabin. Machan, the famous jungle-themed restaurant, started a midnight buffet in the 80s. Commencing from 12 midnight to 3 am, it was priced at a princely `21. Ananda Shankar, a famous composer, would specially craft themed music to suit the restaurant.
It is not just the Mansingh property that is making Taj stand a tad taller this year. Another iconic property, Taj Connemara, in Chennai, reopened on October 20 after being under renovation for two years. Named after Lord Connemara, the then Governor of Madras, the 120-year-old hotel’s legendary history has been brought to life with fresh sensibilities.