Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra

The main issue this time was that the buffet space was given to wedding guests because of the heat at their original venue, so we had to order à la carte. We also couldn’t use the infinity pool while a haldi ceremony was taking place there, and there were no evening activities for the children. We hadn’t been told ahead of time that the hotel would host both the BRICS meet and a wedding during our stay, and several things we’d looked forward to were unavailable or disrupted. We’ve stayed here for three years and came back because of the warm, family-friendly hospitality we’d enjoyed before. This visit felt less welcoming. We understand that events matter to the hotel, but guests should know when they may affect facilities and activities. A heads-up and better planning would have helped. We’ve had wonderful stays in the past two years, and hope the hotel takes this feedback constructively so future guests can enjoy the standards Taj is known for.

The hotel’s design is beautiful, the rooms are genuinely spacious, and the Taj Mahal is just up the road. At Palto, Chef Ashish was kind and accommodating with vegan meals, and the food was delicious. He took time with all our questions. Ritesh also gave us exemplary service at Plato. But in rooms 307 and 308, basic comfort and service were nowhere near what we expected from a top-range luxury room. The shower water stayed cold throughout our stay. We were told management had deliberately set the central temperature too low and needed to raise it, but we only learned this on our last day. My Mom and I were unwell, so cold showers were especially upsetting. Our parents in room 307 had the same problem. Room 308 had a rusty kettle, a broken iron stone, and just one toilet roll. Requests for replacements and extra supplies took a long time, and we had to keep calling reception. After two calls to the concierge, an iron arrived, but we were told there were no steam irons. Our clothes couldn’t be ironed properly, even though we wanted to look neat for our Taj Mahal photos. The minibar had only water, tea, and coffee, with no snacks or other drinks. Hallway noise late at night and early in the morning made sleep difficult. For one of the hotel’s best rooms, this was deeply disappointing. Having to chase basic supplies, shower in cold water while sick, and deal with a cheap iron just wasn’t the five-star experience we expected. We’re heading to Mumbai and staying at Taj Towers, and hope it’s better.

Subrata’s stories about the Taj Mahal were lovely, and the puppet show came as a fun surprise. We also enjoyed the pottery experience and appreciated the cultural touches throughout the stay. The location made getting to the Taj Mahal and nearby sights easy. The care started well before we arrived. Wilson helped arrange transfers and sightseeing months ahead, then kept assisting us during the trip, so everything felt simple. Gagan was wonderful in the club lounge and shared useful tips for the next part of our journey. The chef kindly made customized dishes for our nieces and nephews, and Ashish greeted us warmly at breakfast each morning. On an early travel day, he even packed delicious food for us to take along. It was an incredible stay, with thoughtful hospitality at every turn. We’d wholeheartedly recommend it.

The rooms were clean and the property was well maintained, so it felt worth every penny. We had a great stay at Taj, Agra. Mr Ankit and jaykush at Palato dining were friendly and courteous, and the chef kindly made non spicy food for our kiddos. Noore taj was a highlight, and Mr Subrata'song was the cherry on top. The food and hospitality were both up to the mark. Highly recommend Taj Agra.