Taj Mahal Tower, Mumbai

We were so happy to celebrate a birthday there. The team went out of their way with cakes, delicacies, and a wonderful breakfast spread, and took care of even the little things with warm hospitality. It’s a pleasant stay I’ll remember. I felt the kindness associated with our beloved Ratan Tata Ji in the staff at every level, and could sense his ideas in the way they treat people and nurture animals for better living. Taj feels like a dream and a hope for being human. Jai hind.

The small touches made this stay feel unlike anywhere else I’ve been, and I’ve stayed in many places around the world. Housekeeping left a similar teddy beside the one on my bed, gave me a little bag with a glasses-cleaning cloth after I left my glasses by the laptop, arranged petals on the bed at night, and tidied my phone wires with a small clasp. I hadn’t imagined anyone would think of these things. From the moment we walked in, everything felt friendly and high quality, from the food to the surroundings. There’s an airport-style scanner at the entrance, so it feels very, very safe. We arrived early after a long flight and were accommodated with early check-in and a complimentary breakfast, which was amazing. The check-in was great too. If you want top-class luxury, this is the place, and it’s conveniently located. I could write an essay about the hotel, its staff, and its surroundings.

Breakfast at Sea Lounge was disorganized during the busy period. The staff seemed undertrained for the number of guests, and service wasn’t as efficient or attentive as I’d expect. There was variety, but the food quality and presentation also fell short of what I expect from a hotel of this class. Several staff members repeatedly tried to get tips in a way that felt inappropriate and out of keeping with the expected service standards. It affected how comfortable and professional the stay felt. The hotel has potential, but my experience didn’t meet the standards I expected. I hope staff training, service culture, and dining quality improve.

The people made the difference for us. Reitish Choudhary, Vandita at reception, manager Humani, and Anand, the house car driver, were warm, professional, and attentive from our arrival. When travel problems came up, including delays, illness, and lost baggage, the team responded quickly and calmly with genuine care. Their support made a stressful situation easier and reassured us we were in good hands. The rooms were very clean, well furnished, and comfortable, though nothing special in size or layout. The landmark building is striking, and being right by the Gateway of India gives the hotel a remarkable sense of history and energy. It’s hard to imagine a better base in Mumbai. A room facing the port side can get significant noise from weddings and festivities, sometimes late into the night, so light sleepers should be prepared. Service at restaurants, the pool, and similar areas can be slow, so allow extra time. The people, especially Reitish Choudhary, Vandita, Humani, and Anand, made us feel truly cared for and left us wanting to return.