True luxury is in the details. It’s built with time and care, and an unparalleled vision. With years spent perfecting a craft. With decades spent acquiring a reputation. And with centuries spent building a culture. Luxury becomes real when it has a legacy. And Taj is built on a legacy. One that manifests itself in a feeling. One that has existed for over a hundred years. A feeling enriched through care, warmth, and a strong sense of nobility. A feeling seeped in tradition, etiquette, and expertise.
Ever since the grand doors of the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai first opened to the world on December 16, 1903, much was said about it being the finest hotel in India at the time, and nothing has changed since.
Tajness was born out of decades of dedication towards incredible hospitality, and centuries of building a culture like no other hospitality institution has.
At the heart of Tajness, are six pillars—Nobility, Sincere Care, Homage to Local Culture, Sensorial Journeys, Pioneering Spirit, and Authenticity that hold this unique concept of hospitality higher than all others.
The founder of Taj—Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, also known as the ‘Father of Indian Industry,’ was an ardent believer in honest and straightforward business principles, and a visionary who foresaw today’s India a century ago. Nobility is a key element in Tajness, which is quintessentially Indian and world-class in its refinement. Inspired from the inherent nobility of India and her traditions, the story of Taj flows parallel to that of the Freedom Movement of what is now the biggest democracy in the world.
Hospitality in India has its roots in the ancient and medieval ages. From the Kings, Queens, their Kingdoms and their Palaces, Taj revives these traditions with a master touch of modern, world-class sophistication. Driven by emotion rather than logic, Tajness means taking care of the tiniest of your everyday needs and addressing the simplest of queries in a unique, never-before experienced way.
Taj sincerely believes in giving back to the local landscape, its culture, its people, and its communities. The essence of a Taj property lies in the art, craft, stories, and folklore of the land. While preserving India’s heritage, Taj has also been called the inventor of heritage tourism. At Taj, we follow a tradition that cares for its people by providing jobs, medical cover, education for our staff’s children, and involvement in planning their future.
An integral part of Tajness, is the journey our guests take throughout the day. Ceremonially marked by a welcome we call the ‘Arrival.’ Followed by a ‘Wake-Up’ with Yoga to give your day a harmonious beginning, only to precede the ‘Afternoon Tea’ chosen from a selection of the world’s finest teas. The ‘Sunset’ at Taj is honoured by lighting hundreds of traditional diyas as the day passes into the night. And later, we pay homage to the local culture as we bring to you ‘Music’ of the land, and to conclude, the unique ‘Fragrance’ of Taj is precisely the one that will be etched into your memory.
Born out of a restless ambition to transform the face of Bombay, and eventually the world of hospitality; Taj, ever since its inception has been a catalogue of firsts. From the city’s first licensed bar to the country’s first discotheque, the spirit of innovation and pioneering is apparent in Taj’s vision to be the best in its class. Just like the vision of its founder, Jamsetji Tata.
At Taj, authenticity is at the root of everything. Each property, experience, dish, suite, or service bears originality. Balancing the glory of the past with the conveniences of the modern, at Taj, curated experiences take the form of desires without one ever having to spell them out.
