Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
Discover Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
Last updated on October 20, 2026Introduction
The Taj Mahal Palace is a working luxury hotel facing the Gateway of India in Colaba. Jamsetji Tata's hotel project began construction in 1898 and opened in 1903, before the Gateway took its final form.
The original Palace wing combines domes, arches, balconies and richly finished public rooms; the later Tower wing changed the skyline and greatly expanded the hotel. Its significance comes from architecture, hospitality history and continued use, not from functioning as a public museum.
Non-guests can appreciate the exterior from the waterfront. Interior access belongs to guests, diners, event attendees or people on an operator-approved heritage experience, subject to security and current booking rules.
Architecture
The original Palace wing is organised around a central dome and harbour façade. Projecting bays, balconies and arched openings produce depth rather than a flat hotel front.
The style is deliberately composite. Indo-Saracenic, European and regional details appear across exterior and interior spaces, reflecting a cosmopolitan port city rather than one pure historical revival.
The 1973 Tower is a distinct modern addition. Its height and repetitive room grid contrast with the lower, more articulated Palace while keeping both parts in active use.
How it was built and evolved over time
Construction began in 1898 for a hotel intended to meet international standards while expressing Mumbai's architectural plurality. The harbour façade, central dome and sequence of grand public rooms gave the Palace civic presence as well as commercial function.
Services and guest accommodation evolved repeatedly after the 1903 opening. In 1973, a modern Tower wing added rooms and facilities without imitating the original composition.
The 2008 attacks damaged important interiors and interrupted use. Restoration repaired fabric, systems and finishes before the Palace wing fully reopened in 2010, making recovery part of the building visitors encounter today.
Frequently asked questions
When did the hotel open?
It opened on 16 December 1903.
Did it open before the Gateway of India?
Yes. The Gateway was completed in 1924.
Can anyone tour the interior?
No. Interior access requires a stay, dining or event booking, or an operator-approved heritage experience.
When was the Tower added?
The Tower wing opened in 1973.
Is the exterior free to see?
Yes, from surrounding public waterfront space.