Mumbai has everything: from history, shopping malls, beaches to the Indian film industry. So, if you are planning a trip to the business centre of India, Mumbai will not disappoint you.

Begin with the Gateway of India and move on to the Prince of Wales Museum with its art and paintings, archaeology and natural history. Then there is Flora Fountain and a host of other places to see. While the wide variety of tourist attractions will keep you occupied through the day and in the evenings the metropolis lays out its best in entertainment from walks on Marine Drive with balloon sellers, buggy rides and an array of snacks. The pubs and discotheques are always hot and happening. And if you think you have seen it all, take a trip to see how Indian films are shot in the film studios in the city and who knows, you might even be asked to act !

Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai

Apollo Bunder, Mumbai - 400001
From Airport: 32 km

Located within hand-shaking distance from the famous landmark of the Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal is Mumbai's biggest luxurious hotel. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Taj Mahal provides warm hospitality with a smile - no matter who you are.

As much a part of Mumbai'[s history as the Victoria Terminus or the Gateway of India are, the nearly 100-year-old Taj continues to hold its premier position among the rich and the famous. And that is not only for the local or national celebrities. The Taj has its followers among the international hoi-polloi.

To begin with no other hostelry in the city can match its location. The Taj Mahal Hotel opened in 1903 is right on the waterfront. The hotel has been part of history and although a lot of renovation and changes have been done, including the addition of the Tower in 1973, The Taj Mahal hotel still retains its old world charm and elegance.

The hotel's accommodation is classy and elegant. The rooms are spacious and boast of a wide range of facilities like hi-speed Internet access, interactive televisions and much more. The 582 centrally air-conditioned rooms including 49 suites offer comfort and hospitality of a high order. The Tower Wing rooms, specially meant for business travelers, also have Internet connectivity, 2-line speakerphones with international direct dialing facility, voice mail. mini bar, personal safe, channel music and television with satellite programs. A complimentary in-room fax is available on request. The hotel offers its Tower Wing guests a wide choice of rooms: there are rooms that face the city or the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea.

Guest who love history can opt for the Heritage Wing rooms which provide old world charm. The corridors in the Heritage Wing contain paintings by masters while the design, décor and furnishings are unique. No two rooms are alike. Even in this wing, guests can choose rooms facing the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea.

The Taj Club rooms are specifically meant for the business traveler and the facilities provided include complimentary airport limousine transfers, private check-in at the Club desk, in-room fax, personal safe, a complimentary bottle of wine, valet service and complimentary deluxe Continental breakfast.

There are a large variety of suites at the Taj Mahal: Junior Suites, Executive Suites, Large Suites, Luxury Suites and the Grand Luxe Suites. The finest of them all are the luxuriously appointed Presidential Suites. These suites have original paintings and antiques which give a touch of luxury and grandeur.

The Taj Mahal is well-known in the city for its most exclusive restaurant, The Zodiac Grill, which offers the finest gourmet cuisine along with a fine selection of wines. The Grill also has a pianist for entertainment. Among the other restaurants is the 24-hour coffee shop, the Shamiana, which serves a wide range of delicacies. Overlooking the swimming pool, the Shamiana provides the perfect setting for a meal at any time of the day. The Sea Lounge is great for snacks, tea and coffee and the Masala Craft, the Indian specialty restaurant of the hotel, serves traditional Indian delicacies in contemporary styles. There is also the Souk, which offers cuisines from Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Greece and Morocco. The Golden Dragon is the authentic Chinese eatery, which serves Sichuan cuisine. For those interested in entertainment, there is Insomnia, considered to be Mumbai's most happening night club. The hotel has two bars: the Harbour Bar and the trendy Starboard.

It is at Starboard that you can get cocktails like The Titanic and Bonnie the Pirate Prince and enjoy exotic Asian-Cuban cuisine. The Taj Mahal hotel has a swimming pool, a fitness center, a beauty parlor, barber shop, travel desk, car rental, pastry shop, book shop, shopping arcade, currency exchange, doctor-on-call and babysitting. All hotel guests can use steam, sauna, Jacuzzi and the gymnasium at the fitness center. The hotel also makes arrangements for golf, badminton, squash, billiards, tennis and table tennis. In addition, there is 24-hour room service and same-day laundry service.

The Taj Mahal's conference and banqueting facilities are varied. With its 8 meeting rooms, the Business Center offers Internet connectivity, workstations, multimedia computers, laptops, portable printers and cell phones, color copier facility and secretarial services and interpretation/translation facilities.