Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / India / Mumbai / Taj Mahal Palace
Taj Mahal Palace
Mumbai, India · Taj Hotels · Grand Luxury
Jamsetji Tata commissioned the Taj Mahal Palace and opened it in 1903, and it was among the first buildings in India to have electric lighting and elevators. Its Indo-Saracenic dome has defined the skyline of South Bombay for over a century, at Apollo Bandar on the Colaba waterfront, directly facing the Gateway of India, and the story that Tata built it after being turned away from a whites-only hotel is still told there.
- 285 rooms
- Opened 1903
- Neighborhood: Colaba
- Rooms from 355 sq ft (33 m²)
About Taj Mahal Palace
- Jamsetji Tata commissioned the Taj Mahal Palace, which opened in 1903 with about 285 rooms today.
- It was among the first buildings in India with electric lighting and elevators.
- Its Indo-Saracenic dome has defined the South Bombay skyline for over a century, facing the Gateway of India at Apollo Bandar.
- Local legend says Tata built it after being refused entry to a British-run hotel.
- Entry-level rooms start at 355 sq ft (33 m²).
History
Commissioned by Jamsetji Tata and opened in 1903, it was among India's first buildings with electric lighting and elevators, its Indo-Saracenic dome defining South Bombay's skyline for over a century.
The setting
The Taj Mahal Palace stands at Apollo Bandar on the Colaba waterfront, directly facing the Gateway of India — the 1924 triumphal arch through which the last British troops departed India in 1948 — and Mumbai Harbour beyond. Commissioned by Jamsetji Tata and opened in 1903, it was among India's first buildings with electric lighting and elevators, its Indo-Saracenic dome defining South Bombay's skyline for over a century. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is a 12-minute walk; Jehangir Art Gallery is 15 minutes on foot. Colaba's Victorian facades, heritage clubs, and waterfront promenades have drawn discerning visitors since the colonial era, making it Mumbai's most storied luxury address. 3 km from Marine Drive.
Restaurants and bars
- Golden Dragon — Restaurant · Szechuan and Cantonese · Chef Master Chef Yan Jun Jun
- Wasabi by Morimoto — Restaurant · Japanese · Chef Master Chef Shimomura Kazayu
- Harbour Bar — Bar
- Sea Lounge — Restaurant · classic English and Local Indian
- Shamiana — Restaurant · international all-day dining
- Souk — Restaurant · Eastern Mediterranean (Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Greece, Turk
- Aquarius — Restaurant
- La Patisserie — Café
Experiences
- Heritage Walk — A daily guided walk through the history of the hotel.
- Sailing — Sailing and cruising facilities during yachting season, from sunrise cruises to speed boat rides.
- Royal E-Victoria Ride — An electric carriage modelled on Mumbai's historic horse-driven Victorias, for exploring Apollo Bunder.
- Private Dining — Two private dining venues: The Chef's Studio and Casablanca.
- J Wellness Circle Ayurveda Sanctuary — Spa rooted in Ancient Indian wellness, with Ayurveda therapies and an in-house Ayurveda doctor.
- Taj Art Gallery — For decades one of the country's most important spaces for artists to show their work.
Amenities
- Spa
- Pool
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
- World's 50 Best Hotels (2026)
Open Taj Mahal Palace in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More Taj Hotels hotels
- Banjaar Tola — Kanha National Park, India · Grand Luxury
- Mahua Kothi — Bandhavgarh, India · Grand Luxury
- Pashan Garh — Panna, India · Grand Luxury
- Rambagh Palace — Jaipur, India · Grand Luxury
- Taj Bengal, Kolkata — Kolkata, India · Grand Luxury
- Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa — Goa, India · Grand Luxury
More hotels in Mumbai
- Taj Mahal Tower — Taj Hotels · Grand Luxury
- The Oberoi, Mumbai — Oberoi · Grand Luxury
- The St. Regis Mumbai — St. Regis · Grand Luxury
- Fairmont Mumbai — Fairmont · High Luxury
- Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai — Four Seasons · High Luxury
- Itc Grand Central A Luxury Collection Hotel Mumbai — The Luxury Collection · High Luxury
Taj Hotels in The Maison: the brand's idea, history and every house on the atlas.