Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel's Presidential Suite Revealed

Last week, President Obama was the first guest in the newly renovated 13 room presidential suite at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai and the hotel has released an image of the suite. The visit was part of the President's Asian tour. The Presidential suite had been damaged in the terrorist attacks two years ago on November 26. Since those events much of the hotel had been under repair and renovation. The 15,000-square-foot-suite includes the dramatic domed living room shown above which has a gold stenciled ceiling and a dramatic crystal chandelier. The suite also has a gym, a business center and a 10-seat dining room.

In the hotel guest book, the President wrote that the United States "stands in solidarity with all of Mumbai and all of India in working to eradicate the scourge of terrorism, and we affirm our lasting friendship with the Indian people."

The hotel has 560 rooms including 44 suites. The hotel first opened in 1903 and has been host to royalty, celebrities and heads of state. The hotel combines Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles and offers views of the Arabian Sea. The decor melds Indian influences with luxurious touches including alabaster ceilings, onyx columns, silk carpets, crystal chandeliers and a multi-cultural art collection.

Tags: Barack Obama, mumbai, president obama, taj hotel, taj hotels, taj mahal, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Taj Mahal Palace Tower

Explore India's Golden Triangle by Private Plane

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Greaves, the tour company which specializes in India, is running a rather good deal on a private plane package now. Spend a week touring India's "Golden Triangle" -- Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, stay at super-luxey Oberoi hotels, and do all of your traveling in between via a Beechcraft Super King Air B200 plane.

The package includes all sorts of nice extras, like a horse carriage ride to the Taj Mahal, a cycle rickshaw ride around Old Delhi, a cooking demo at The Oberoi Rajvilas, as well as multiple opportunities for spa treatments and yoga classes along the way. The price is $5,100 per person, based on four people traveling together -- although you could always bring a bigger crowd, the plane seats up to eight. Travel through December 15th, 2010.

Tags: India, oberoi, private plane, taj mahal, TajMahal, tours

Maharajas' Express: India's First Cross-country Train

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

South Africa has Rovos Rail; Scotland, the Royal Scotsman, and now India has the Maharajas' Express, its first all-out upscale, live like royalty, luxury train. Anyone who has waited in an Indian airport for a plane that never arrives or has dealt with incessant traffic delays or other travel mishaps will welcome the ease and convenience of private train travel. As a passenger on the new train, there's no more waiting for guides, packing and unpacking, and wondering where or what to eat. Travel in India can be daunting. Just imagine how terrific it is to traverse the country in your own private train without missing all that's special about this fascinating and beautiful country.

Tags: Delhi, India, luxury train travel, MaharajasExpress, Mumbai, Taj Mahal

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Angular Momentum Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Mahal Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

American history doesn't have too many famous love stories that I can recall. At least none that ended up with the creation of a national landmark. Then again, I don't know what the full story behind the Washington Monument! In 1653 the Taj Mahal was completed in India. It took 23 years to make and was designed not for any specific functional purpose, but as a monument to a rulers fallen love. It is the story between Mughal Empire ruler Shah Jahan and the love of his life (and third wife) Mumtaz Mahal. She bore him 13 children, and they started "going out" when she was just 14, married at 19. Story has it, that although Shah Jahan was allowed, maybe even expected, to take several wives under the then practice of polygamy, he was so taken with Mumtaz Mahal that he shows little interest in other wives besides her. When she died, Shah Jahal was so mournful, that he had the Taj Mahal built for her, where her body was finally placed, 23 years after she died.

In tribute to this last memory of love, Angular Momentum releases an artistic watch with a hand painting of Mumtaz Mahal on the front, and Shah Jahan on the back. Each painting is done in verre eglomise enamel in the reverse of a sapphire crystal in traditional Indian artistic form. The watch is about 41mm wide in steel, and has diamonds decorating the bezel and lugs. Inside is a Swiss automatic mechanical movement with a rotating disc to show the time. The Angular Momentum Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Mahal watch will come in a limited edition of just 5 pieces. Likely to be over $30,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Angular Momentum Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Mahal Watch