stay at the hotel with a view of the taj mahal

Agra is generally a one night stop on the Golden Triangle tourist trail, but this hotel will make you linger a little longer. We end up staying three nights here, in a room with a view of the Taj Mahal.

CHECK IN

Staff rush out to help with luggage as we arrive in the gated compound. There are green lawns and a large water feature with three frangipani trees at the arrival area, and in contrast to the dusty streets it feels like an oasis in the city. At reception, staff offer welcome drinks and the much loved Hilton warm chocolate chip cookie. We are escorted to our room and thoroughly shown all the amenities within the room, as well as the view of India’s icon.

ROOM

A super king bed from which you can see the Taj Mahal in the hazy distance is a great surprise and not a selling point advertised by the hotel. The room is very clean and well appointed, with an executive desk for working. The bathroom has dual his/her vanities as well as a bathtub and deep rain shower. After a day exploring, you want a hot powerful shower, and this hotel room delivers. After the heat and sun of a day seeing Agra Fort or the Taj Mahal you will also want strong air conditioning, and the room is frosty cold.

DINING

They emphasise high quality dining at Hilton Agra so you need not leave the hotel. There are options such as kebab e que, which serves delicious kebab and attracts non hotel guests. You can see the chefs preparing the meals through the glass windows into the kitchen. There’s also restuarant Mughal for North Indian food. There is a buffet with extensive starters, mains and desserts which is open for all meals all day, which is where breakfast is served each day. The hotel invests in its culinary experiences, with a Women in Taste program which collaborates with excellent female home cooks in the city to come and cook for guests.

AMBIENCE

The hotel feels like an oasis thanks to its large spaces, gardens and rooftop infinity pool. There’s also a 24 hour gym, which has high quality equipment. The hotel lobby is palatial, with a wide space that hosts events in the evening. When we are there a clay puppet maker from Jaipur is putting on a show and selling his handmade creations.