Some rooms see it from private terraces, some from exquisitely crafted king beds, others even gaze at its graceful marble domes from enormous free-standing bathtubs. Much like Agra itself, almost everything in the hotel is focussed on the Moghul masterpiece. The spa offers Ayurvedic, Thai and Western treatments, always with one eye on that famous view. The restaurants and lounge are built around wide picture windows. Even the hotel’s grand entry hall, topped with gold and cobalt blue domed ceiling, is merely a frame for the postcard-perfect view of the Taj Mahal, visible through the vast windows.
In terms of dining, excellent breakfasts and buffet lunches are served at Bellevue, which is also a great place to catch sunset on the terrace. But it’s the contemporary Indian cuisine of Esphahan that really stands out; open for dinner only. Back in your room, if you can drag your eyes away from the view, you’ll find it richly textured with teak floors, hand-knotted rugs, marble-inlay tables and sumptuous silk cushions.
