ITC Mughal, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra

I expected more from this resort, and it ended up feeling average. The rooms were small and more like a business hotel than a resort, and I was disappointed there were no bathtubs. They were on the ground, first, or second floor, and people outside could see in when the curtains were open, so there was little privacy to enjoy the view. We had to keep them closed or go sit on the lawn. The food was okay. We tried the buffet dinner, but only one or two dishes really appealed to me, and the variety didn't make me want to try everything. Breakfast felt crowded, as expected for a luxury hotel, but the service didn't meet that level. It would've been nice to have someone wait on the tables, like at other hotels with a luxury feel. There could've been more activities, too, and the games room felt dull.

The people at ITC Mughal made the stay memorable. At Peshawri, Om, the manager, brought a lot of humor and warmth to a fantastic dinner, while our waiter Udayveer was attentive and professional throughout. They represent the ITC brand so well. We felt very secure, with gates and guards clearly visible outside. The well-kept lobby and expansive grounds were peaceful, and live music in the bar and lounge made it a lovely place to unwind. The hotel has its pros and cons, though. The rooms feel dated and need renovation. With so many guests visiting the Taj Mahal, the wear and tear is understandable, but a refresh would bring them in line with the rest of the property. Come for the staff, Peshawri's food, and the beautiful grounds. Updated rooms would make the place hard to beat.

I'd stay here again if I return to Agra. The sprawling grounds are well cared for, and the hotel has an old-world charm. Staff were excellent, well trained, and went out of their way to keep guests comfortable. I even took photos of them to show how much I appreciated their service. I attended a wedding and several other events there, and the service was the best possible. The food was good across the restaurants, with the Indian ones being better.

The garden and swimming pool are lovely, and the hotel is beautiful overall. But it's old and poorly maintained. Our spacious suite still had a lingering musty smell, as did the ground-floor rooms in particular. We were looking forward to using the spa, but the hygiene standards weren't good enough, with so much mold.