Gateway Aurangabad - Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

My fiancé and I chose Taj for our engagement ceremony on Sunday, 25 January 2026, at Gateway of Taj, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). We trusted the reputation of a 5-star hotel and spent a significant amount expecting professional service and quality. Instead, the food and service left us deeply disappointed. What should have been a joyful day became stressful and embarrassing for both families, and nearly all our guests said the food was below what they expected from Taj. We had put a lot of emotion and money into the occasion, and the experience ruined it for us. We had planned to hold my younger sister's wedding there too, but have cancelled that plan. Problems started at the menu tasting, where the food wasn't served properly and things felt unprofessional. We hoped the function itself would go better, but the same issues returned. Welcome drinks and starters were acceptable. The main course, though, was a letdown: the vegetarian dishes weren't as finalized, Mix Veg wasn't prepared properly, and the Kala Rassa special wasn't made as spicy as we'd clearly requested. We had agreed on Roti, Kulcha, and Naan, but Kulcha never came, and Roti and Naan were often unavailable. Guests had to keep asking at the counter and still didn't get bread on time. The salad setup was incomplete and poorly arranged. As the buffet went on, food wasn't replenished properly and items arrived in very small bowls, which felt unprofessional for an event this size. Several guests couldn't eat properly because of the taste, limited availability, and mismanagement. This kind of negligence from a prestigious brand like Taj is shocking and unacceptable. I ask the management team to investigate and provide a proper explanation and resolution. We trusted the Taj name, and that trust has been broken. I await your response. Sincerely, Seeta Pandy

The staff were the best part of our family trip. They were always ready to help, and Chef Sainath, Janvi Bajaj at the front desk, and steward Santosh deserve a special mention. The buffet was huge, even for vegetarians, during the Christmas weekend. We also appreciated the folk dances and classical music. My 'lost' Bluetooth headsets were 'found' by the team just as we were checking out. The property is well located, with an elegant royal palace style building, immaculate grounds, and a lovely pool on a spacious lawn. The only drawback was the unkempt grass on the 'putting surface', which golfers will notice since you can't putt on just any lawn. It was an awesome stay and a memorable break while visiting the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves.

Sainath, the chef, pointed us to some lovely local dishes: Nan Khaliya, Khandeshi mutton, and Jowar Bhakri. The special misal pav at breakfast was outstanding too. All the staff were helpful and cordial, especially Alfiya, Arpan, Ayush, and the housekeeping team. We spent two nights at Gateway Aurangabad hotel, a fantastic gateway where heritage meets comfort. The Mughal architecture has an old world charm, and the thoughtfully designed courtyards make the beautiful property feel rooted in history. The kind staff made the trip especially memorable.

The gardens, walk and jog track, and well kept pool make the large property a pleasant place to spend time. There are loungers, cabanas, and plenty of seating around the pool, whose slope gives it different depths, though there isn't a separate kids' pool. Inside, we found carrom, chess, foosball, and a functional gym. We ate at the designated restaurant, with à la carte lunches and buffet dinners. Service was pleasant but slow, particularly at lunch. It didn't bother us much on a leisure trip, but quicker service would help. Breakfast and dinner buffets had lots of choices, mostly Indian and Oriental. A few simple continental items, such as pasta, would have been useful for children. That's a minor observation more than a complaint. We stayed three nights in the last week of December at Taj Gateway Aurangabad. Check in went smoothly despite arriving early: the team got one room ready at once and the second within an hour. The front desk were warm, efficient, and proactive. We had a Deluxe Room and a Deluxe Suite on lobby level. The room was clean, functional, and a good size, with a small balcony and swing. The suite joined two Deluxe rooms, with a living area containing a dining table, sofa, TV, powder room, and another swing on the balcony. Its bedroom had a full bathroom and a separate balcony with two seats. The extra room made a real difference travelling with our four year old. Housekeeping was prompt, room service responsive, and the bathrooms, amenities, and abundant, well placed charging points were all good. The Lavazza Blue pod machine was a nice surprise, and the air conditioning was easy to control and worked well. No complaints about the rooms. The property was comfortable, good value, and consistently pleasant when dealing with the staff. I'd happily recommend Taj Gateway Aurangabad and stay again.