Taj Mahal, Amarvilas, Hotel, Luxury, India, Rajasthan, Uttra Pradesh

Palatial and majestic Amarvilas sits within the city of Agra, its spacious rooms, marbled halls and beautifully laid out gardens all looking towards the Taj Mahal, ethereal, dominating the view

The Taj Mahal is probably the world’s most famous building and if one has not seen it in the flesh, then Agra should definitely be on one’s Indian itinerary. Amarvilas is situated in the city, only five minutes’ from the Taj Mahal and every one of its lovely rooms - most of which have balconies - look over the park to the beautiful minarets and dome of the great building. Bathrooms in the three best suites have pedestal baths commanding this view!

Undoubtedly the best hotel in Agra, Amarvilas’ marble lobby welcomes one with Raj-style efficiency and perfect etiquette. There is a suggestion of busy bars and fine restaurants around corners and down twin staircases and floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a panorama of carefully laid out gardens on many levels with pavilions and stone-built pergolas, interspersed with water features around a large swimming pool. Framed by these windows is the Taj Mahal and one’s eye is drawn to its magnificent shape, especially when caught by the rising or setting sun.

Agra is a fascinating city, filled with artisans practicing age-old techniques of marble in-lay and hand-made carpet knotting. Roughly fifteen years ago the government took the precaution to ban all heavy industry within ten miles of the Taj Mahal - in order to protect its marble from pollution - and compensated the local economy by declaring all handicrafts free of tax - the showrooms and factories are highly dangerous shopping grounds as a result!

There are many other sights to see in Agra and the City Palace is a fascinating monument for it was here that the emporer Shah Jahan - who built the Taj Mahal in memory of his late wife - was inprisoned by his son in order to stop him building a second identical mausoleum for himself. This ‘Black Taj’ was to stand on the opposite bank of the river - one can only imagine the effect!

Rooms are spacious and have every modern hotel convenience with just a touch of older style and the large, sit-out balconies all look out over the gardens to the Taj Mahal in the near distance. One can enjoy the sight as the changing light casts different moods on the building and at night, when the terrace and gardens are softly lit, with G&T in hand, there can be no better place in Agra than Amarvilas.