The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower is a five-star luxury hotel and is one of Mumbai's most famous historic landmark hotels. It stands on the Arabian Sea waterfront close to the Gateway of India and many of the key tourist attractions. The hotel opened in 1903 and is built in a distinctive architectural style that combines elements of Moorish, Oriental and Florentine style. The hotel has 565 rooms including 46 suites. 268 of the rooms are in the hotel's 'Tower' extension which was added in the 1970s. The other rooms - which tend to be more expensive - are in the original historic building. All rooms include telephones, interactive televisions, wi-fi internet access, mini-bars and laptop safes. Hotel facilities include extensive gardens and an outdoor pool, a shopping arcade, several bars and a choice of restaurants, a night club, business centre, concierge and travel services, conference rooms and the hotel's own luxury yacht which offers short cruises. Note - at the time of writing (2009) the hotel's historic 'Palace Rooms' are undergoing refurbishment.