I was just 11 yrs old but I still remember the night of 26/11. The story of taj during that time sums up the story of Mumbai and india in extension. The taj is the pride of Mumbai and to see it on fire was just heartbreaking. Yet after hearing the stories of the courage the common ppl of the taj showed along with the security forces, it just brought us all together stronger than ever.
This was the one long awaited. Beautifully and sensitively written. Wonderfully capturing the textures and textiles, the people and places, you have 'sold' this hotel. Thank you, Kevin.
Stayed there several times during the early 1990s and again a few years later. Absolutely loved it. Aside from the decor and stunning food options probably the best service i have ever experienced anywhere.
Taj mumbai was the first 5 star hotel in india and first hotel of Taj groups,that's why it's an emotion for the Tata group and not just any fancy hotel,u will always get the best service.... Their employees even came on time in 26 July I don't know which year exactly, that day whole mymbai was under water,their staff walked in floods and reached on time,that's called emotion.....
I had a very personal relation with Taj I was there on 23/11 ( 3 days before the Attack) I remember I was around 13 years old that time. We were on visit to mu uncle since he was out of town we had decided to stay in the hotel for 2 days and later on 24th moved to his house. I still remember of the staff who took care of me when I was there his name was as i remeber Kanishka from My native state of Odisha. I remember how he took care of me and bonded with me as a child. I had decided to meet her before returning but it turned out that she was one of the Casualties the attack.
Well that was worth the wait! A truly breathtaking memory of 49 years and 1 month ago! This was my first experience of a ‘Hotel’, I had stayed in one guest house hotel before on a school trip to the Isle of Wight in the UK, but nothing prepared me for the majesty of this establishment. As a sixteen year old joining my first ship, it was my first journey abroad this was true luxury. Great video as always Kevin, I’m gobsmacked. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻
For future reference, this hotel is very near the cruise terminal in Mumbai. When I took a short taxi ride to the Gateway of India during our day in port, I was intrigued by the hotel and walked into the Palace using the pedestrian entrance on 3/14/15. (The Tower made no impression on me and I was surprised to see it in your video but on checking my photos, it was there.) I had wide access inside the hotel, have photos of pool area, lower part of staircase, and photo gallery including the same picture of Obama. My most lasting impression was of the flowers everywhere. And right outside and on the ride back to the port--chaos.
Hi Kevin, you absolutely did this video justice and gave the The Taj Mahal Palace the resect it deserves 👏 From describing the sights, sounds, and smells to the slow cinematic footage accompanied with an excellent choice of relaxing background music the viewer was transported through your lens to the hotel with you. Well done 👍
My wife and I stayed in Bombay in 1991 on our honeymoon tour. Couldn't afford the Taj so we stayed at Apollo hotel in the backstreets just behind the Taj. Popped in for relief from the heat in the deliciously cooled lobby. Beautiful video! Need to go back and stay here soon, now that I can afford it 🙂
Making a hotel video is one thing but connecting with its history, philosophy and culture is totally different. Apart from the information the warmth and connect this video has made is truly amazing 😍😍😍😍. Very very good job sir. Keep up the great work ❤❤
Honestly, I think you did it justice but my experience was a a true 100 out of 100. This is my gold standard for hotels I have stayed in. They treated me like a god, and I felt like I didn't even know how to be grateful enough. They literally made my entire stay in India, where I was staying to see a friend's wedding. I didn't have a perfect trip, but that had nothing at all to do with the Taj Mahal Palace...I was told by my girlfriend we were breaking up at the time I was staying there. The girlfriend was forgettable, but the hotel will stay in my heart and mind forever. It really wasn't a trauma response that made the hotel seem all the more special by contrast. The overwhelmingly positive experience of the stay in the hotel made me feel completely serene about the breakup and about all else going on in my life. The breakfast was the best FREE hotel breakfast that I had ever had. I loved my room and the fact I had a "hall monitor" person who was truly available for my slightest need all day. I tried not to bother him, but he seemed genuinely hurt that I didn't want a newspaper in the morning or fresh juice, bed turndown service throughout the day, etc. I just gave in at the end and they were in and out of my room whenever I was out, doing things like putting fresh flowers inside. I have never seen a hotel staff take so much pride in their work. I can't say enough about the place. As far as I was concerned it had everything I could possibly need...except a better partner than the one who picked there to end our relationship. Good riddance!! I could not possibly have broken up with someone under better, and more comforting circumstances.
On that fateful day on November 26, 2008, many of the staff could have left and most of them knew various exits where they could escape. But no one left. Later it was taken as a case study by various institutions around the world, about, why none of the staff leave, even at the face of imminent death. There's also a TED talk on it
@@tfft It's a story of incredible courage, commitment and determination shown by the staff, make us all proud. What's even more incredible is, and the reason why Tatas are respected so much in the country is because of the fact that, for the next 13 months, when the hotel was shut for investigation and renovation, the management made sure that every staff is fully paid, covered the necessary counselling or treatment required for each and every staff, even when the hotel was not making any revenue and the future was uncertain
Wow Kevin, Thankyou for this review. You certainly captured the essence of the Taj Palace and the calm feelings of the environment within it. I will certainly stay there on my next visit, whenever that will be. Loved the explanation about the room and the scenes of the wonderful food. I can see that it took you some time to make this review and it was definitely worth it. Great job.
Such a beautifully made video. Thank you! My sisters and I loved snacking at Sea Lounge during the occasional visit in childhood...meals at Shamians were very good also. There is a certain dignity...calmness...and luxuriousness to this historical site! You feel relaxed and uplifted when you're at the Taj!
Kevin, I wanted to stay here when I was in Mumbai but our conference was elsewhere. Stopped by to look around and cannot wait to stay there next time in I'm Mumbai. Fantastic vid and thank you for the reminder about the staff during the terrorist attack and their overall non-crisis service ethos. Can't wait for Leela Palace - I did stay there and wow amazing.
I recall staying here in 1975, on our way back to London, England. I was a child & still remember the elegance back then, too. It was very pricey back then, also! Beautiful & elegant hotel with so much history built in 1898. It’s almost like stepping back in time.
I’m actually staying at the Taj right now and find your video and narrative absolutely fantastic! Your choice of visuals and the production quality is great. Now I can stop trying! Great job in expressing the sincerity of the staff and desire to please. They are extraordinary. This is more than a stay; it’s an experience.
your video is breathtaking, have seen several other videographs on the Taj but never so detailed. Your commentary is apt and compelling and made me watch it in its entirety! congratulations
Good choice. Stayed there twice and got upgraded to the Bell Tower room suite and another suites with butler service for free. Service and the hospitality there is sooo good. Also, their toiletries like shampoo and shower gel are so nice since they collab with Forest Essentials which is my favourite brand in India. They recently opened one store in London.
@@tfft they just opened their first international store like 2ish months ago. You should visit the store in India. They fragrance and beauty products are amazing.
I rewatched this video with a newfound appreciation of the effort it must’ve taken to take such incredible shots of the property. Another RU-vidr I follow just posted his own review, and it was swarming with people. You must’ve woken up at 6am and did as much as possible.
6:00 would be a late start for me haha. 1 hour before breakfast opens or 1 hour before sunrise, which ever is earlier is when my shooting begins each day. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
This is the best episode till date. Made by a Taj fan for Taj fans. Integrity of Tata Group. Some human efforts are so awesome that they look out of the world. Taj is one such experience.
Thanks! I am look forward to staying there. I was admiring it in 1992, just finished my studies with little money in my pockets. Next time I am in town, I gonna stay there as well as in Ballard Estate, where I stayed in Fernadez Guest House, which is closed for a long time, but the area was so peaceful.
@@tfft Just upgraded my Sea View room to Club room on the 10th of January, I am looking very much forward to explore the hotel after such a long time! :-) Downloaded Your video to have it with me on the plane to go through it one more. Thanks for the documentary with this soothening music! I usually also do some documentation for myself, but I will skip it this time as it will be no match to Yours at all, how much effort I put. But I may just do a video on the breakfast buffet for my future playlist of breakfast buffets. Just one final question: How much time did it take You to record and edit? I hardly do an editing as my videos are just for friends.
When I was in Mumbai I went to Gateway of India, Taj Mahal hotel is a beauty to watch for. Interiors are intricately done. Spacious and large size lobby area. Finest hotel in India always remembered for its legacy.
Wow Kevin what an awesome video! Since subscribing to your channel I thought I had watched all your videos. Today I realized I had missed this one. I have to say of all the videos on your channel it is my favorite. You captured every essence of this hotel perfectly and you make the viewer feel like they are actually there experiencing it for themselves.
The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of architectural beauty and historical significance. This iconic monument located in Mumbai, India, leaves visitors awe-inspired with its stunning white marble structure, intricate detailing, and exquisite symmetry.
Wow i just love your content i watched this video without skipping, it's in my bucket list to stay in the Taj hotel i hope one day i would make it and also i love the way that you filmed Taj i really like it thanks 👍
I was 16 when I first visited Mumbai and fortunately I got a chance to visit The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. It was an Outstandingly amazingly brilliant experience. 10/10 place.❤
Beautiful video! , sublime fusion of opulence and hospitality, Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai exceeded all expectations. Impeccable service, breathtaking views, and an unforgettable stay.
This hotel is in another level, specially this history. ✨🙏 I would recomend you to review ITC group next time as you already covered the Taj and Oberoi group. And in between ITC hotels ITC Royal Bengal is the most famous one . In Kolkata, West Bengal.
Stayed in the Palace side of the hotel for the first time last November so your video brought back some pleasant memories. My sense is the staff is really what makes this hotel memorable. Taj is my favorite hotel chain in India and have stayed at Lands End and Fisherman's cove in Chennai and Fort Aguada in Goa and you see similar service at all the properties. I met the Palace hotel historian via the tour he offered and then had a chance to talk to him after the tour at length. Its difficult to get the entire history of this place but you begin to see why it is such a landmark.
I've stayed at Taj Hotels throughout India. Lucknow, Lake Palace Udaipur, Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, but not yet Mumbai. The quality is definitely there. It's not a destination, it's an experience, and one that should be had. There are few words to describe how magnificent these Palaces are. Marble pools. Granite and marble flooring, walls, outdoor pathways. The opulence. Beauty.Quality. It's as close as you can get to feeling like royalty. To experience such a different way of everything. After a day out in India, it's a blessed relief to come back to this high end accommodation. Once you go Taj; you just can't go back.
@tfft my best friend is in the Taj Palace Hotel right now; hence how I happened upon this video. Between his videos, phone calls describing everything and your video, I'm seeing it's one of the best. But I don't think anything tops Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur. That place is Heaven Earth.
I stay in Mumbai but I’m frequent visitor of this property to have that royal experience. Rooms are cozy but beautifully crafted. If anyone staying here first time, stay in palace if couple or stay in tower if with kids. Always opt for Sea Lounge for breakfast or Souk if unavailable. Do try their gym which is quite nice
Yupp, agree about the buffets and originally had a slightly lower score for it… but I think it’s just from such high expectations bc of the facilities. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thank you for this wonderful review. I have spent three days at Taj last months and the magic of this magnificent Hotel is still holding me. Thank you for focusing on all those wonderful details and Taj's philosophy, so I could see and feel them once again. Taj is really Life of its own, unique and full of love and high end aesthetics. Its not about just luxury. It's beyond. ❤️
Taj is the best better than mariott or anyseven star restaurant. Taj hospitality by staff is best in the world. Food is delicious and rooms are so clean and welcoming. It is a royal stay there.😊Service wise best hotel❤️
really appretiate your content and attention to details is surreal,funatastic yet entertaining and the soft music while explaing what your showing in the video
From your Qatar video, straight to subscription and now this video seems interesting to say the least. The Taj! A good choice.👏👏 Nice flute music too...
I have stayed at the Taj Palace. I love the hotel and its history, and amazing service. They treat guests like royalty. I paid extra for a sea view room, which was nice, but quite small. You really need to upgrade if you want a nice size room at the Taj, because their standard rooms are quite small. You can get a much larger suite at other 5-star hotels for the same price. Mumbai is the best city in India. I'm curious if you have any video about yourself, who you are, and why you choose to live in Asia.
Agree about the rooms. As for myself, I’m open about my background and history on Patreon, but prefer that the content here is property driven instead of personality driven. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
A lovely video and great to hear it’s history and educational content which most would probably not be aware of - travel is amazing as it opens up so many possibilities - having stayed here numerous times over many years it is still an oasis in a very very hectic city - also having departed on a few cruise ships crawling through very small and narrow openings to gain access- just incredible - most enjoyable Thankyou- and just a question If I may- when staying at these types of properties are you in flip flops and shorts ? 😂
I have great respect for Taj and Tatas. TATA is a great brand and the only honest brand that cares for people throughout the world. They r in business for service, not for money. More than 99% of Tata group are owned by charities.
Splendid narration yet again!! Very well captured review of Taj and will prove to be ‘the to go video’ for many travellers. Just out of curiosity - we have not seen you try any of the Indian food or comment on their taste. You don’t like it or don’t want to cover it?
I had a very long clip about the Ziya Impressions menu in my Oberoi video and have a lot of food from other Indian hotels coming up. As for Taj, I think buffets are pretty self explanatory. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Love your reviews, such a nice detail documentary type presentation. Would love your review on Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur one of most iconic hotel of India.
I stayed in the palace and windows do open. Infact the keys are kept in the cupboard. Its a small hook kind of a key. I had asked the staff and they told me about it.
The video was great. I love the hotel and the rooms in it and I love going there. I am from Sydney australia. That looks great! I will go there in Monday ❤
Dear Kevin I have watched many travel videos. But yours are most exquisite. Its a pleasure to watch your photography and your commentary. Truly pleasing to the eyes and ears. I wish you all the best. Keep up the good work.
The wife and two sons of the General Manager of Taj Mr. Karambir Kang were killed on that day by the terrorists as they could not escape. I believe Ratan Tata would visit every day to motivate his staff and rebuild the hotel brick by brick. Ratan Tata’s reply to the then Congress minister in Delhi Anand Sharma (who asked Ratan Tata to consider tenders from two Pakistani businessmen to rebuild the Tajmahal hotel ‘ENTHUSIASTICALLY’) quote “You could be shameless, I am not” and he put down the phone. A few months later, when the Pakistan government placed an order for Tata Sumo vehicles, Ratan Tata refused to ship a single vehicle to that country. Believe it or not, for 26/11, every Indian citizen wanted to nuke Pakistan once and for all. The congress gov then did not do a thing till date.
