The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, has secured the coveted 38th spot in the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 ranking, a moment of great pride for India on the global luxury hospitality map. A timeless Mumbai institution that has been a symbol of the city for 122 years, this quintessential hotel is the epitome of Indian hospitality, characterized by its venerable elegance, stateliness, and distinctive architecture. Established in 1903 by the Indian industrialist Jamsetji Tata, it was the country’s first entirely Indian-owned palace hotel and still exudes royal charisma to this day, thanks to its exceptional service.
The hotel edifice is a gastronomy in itself, a regal fruit bowl of numerous styles with influences from Indian, Moorish, Oriental, and Renaissance styles. Among other things, the hotel’s Florentine red dome rises 240 feet above the town, glazing and gracing the night sky. Moreover, it has stunning latticework, marble flooring, onyx columns, delicate wrought-iron balustrades on the exceptionally located grand staircases, and ornate doorknobs. Its extensive hand-knotted carpets, splendid silk drapes, excellent four-poster beds, and internally designed crystal chandeliers help the mood.
The Taj Mahal Palace has welcomed Indian kings and queens, British viceroys, Bollywood actors, and Hollywood celebrities over the years. Therefore, its reputation as an icon of Indian luxury hospitality and a flagship facility on the global stage, alongside other leading properties, has made it famous abroad.
The Taj Mahal Palace was celebrated as the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 in a stunning showcase in London, voted on by a panel of more than 800 travel and hospitality professionals, with strong Asian hotel representation on the list. Rosewood Hong Kong took the top place, and Four Seasons Bangkok and Capella Bangkok were right behind it. There were 20 hotels featured in Asia, noting the area’s stature as the premier hotspot for luxury.
The Taj Mahal Palace’s rating of 38 is not only a testament to the brilliance of its hospitality and legacy, but also a nod to India’s rising star on the luxury travel landscape. This accomplishment remains a source of pride and hope for hoteliers throughout the country. These are exemplified by a heritage spanning over a century, with no indications of slowing down, coupled with a zeal to anticipate and offer the World a welcome.