After 6 months of lockdown, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort reopened for tourists yesterday, September 21, in an attempt by the Uttar Pradesh tourism department to boost the state’s economy. All of Agra’s monuments under the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) except these two had reopened on September 1, 2020.
If you are planning a historical adventure to one of the seven wonders, this might actually be the best time to do so. LuxeBook brings you a travel guide on the best hotels to stay in and the monuments to visit in Agra.
Top Hotels
Taj Hotel & Convention Centre Agra
Courtesy: Instagram – Taj Hotel and Convention Centre Agra
This hotel is situated close to the Eastern Gate of the Taj Mahal. It has 239 luxurious rooms, out of which 12 are lavish suites and one is a presidential suite.
The infinity pool on the rooftop overlooks the Taj Mahal. It also has a spa and a fitness centre. For dining, you can choose from many options: Daawat-e-Nawab serving authentic Nawaabi and Mughlai cuisine; Palato, an all-day diner that serves buffets, Tea Lounge servws rare teas, gourmet coffees, freshly baked breads and light bites; Liquid Lounge has wines and a huge collection of Single Malts; and Infini – The Sky Lounge, is the perfect place to unwind with some cocktails and a live DJ. The hotel also has 3700-sq-mt of event spaces and one of the biggest banquet halls in Agra.
Courtyard by Marriott Agra
Courtesy: Marriott
This luxury haven is located on the Fatehabad Road, Agra.
The hotel has a range of deluxe rooms, premium rooms, terrace rooms, junior and executive suites to choose from. The hotel has Tattva spa, fitness centre, an outdoor pool and a kids pool. Also, a family-friendly Fun Zone. The restaurants include MoMo Cafe that has a lavish International buffets and delectable a la carte dishes; Coffee House MoMo 2 Go offers a wide range of beverages, fresh deli sandwiches and sweet baked goods; Onyx Bar with hand-crafted cocktails, finger food, speciality libations, wine and beer; and ANISE serves Indian cuisine. You can also enjoy your meal by the poolside at Grills by the Pool.
The Oberoi Amarvilas
Courtesy: The Oberoi Amarvilas
This five-star hotel is situated just 600 metres away from the Taj Mahal and offers a great view of the monument from all rooms and suites.
The water fountains, terraced lawns, reflection pools and pavilions, lends this hotel a traditional Mughal Palace feel. Some amenities include The Oberoi spa with fitness centre and a temperature-controlled swimming pool with Mughal inspired design features. Remarkable dining experiences are on the anvil as well. An all-day dining restaurant Bellevue specialises in Italian, classic and contemporary pan Asian and Indian delicacies; Esphahan offers Royal Mughal cuisine with live traditional music filters through a mosaic of candlelit tables; The Bar is the only bar in the world to offer uninterrupted Taj Mahal views. You can even indulge in a specially crafted meal for two, under the stars and beside cascading water bodies or a candlelit dinner for two on the balcony of your room, against the silhouette of the Taj Mahal. The hotel plans to reopen soon.
ITC Mughal
Courtesy: Marriott
Spread across 23 acres of luxuriant gardens, the hotel is located close to the Taj Mahal.
It is the only Indian hotel to have won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for its excellent representation of Mughal architecture. You can choose from 233 elegant rooms and suites. There are jogging tracks, mini chip and putt golf, two swimming pools, all-terrain vehicle, children play area and a recreation room with table tennis, pool tables, air hockey, play stations and much more. Unwind at the award-winning spa Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa and enjoy a range of fine dining options. Maikhana – The Lobby Bar; Taj Bano – a three meals buffet restaurant; Bagh-E-Bahar has wines, cocktails and delectable lounge bites; Peshawri serves northwest frontier cuisine. The hotel is currently offering various exciting deals on booking.
Places of Interest
Taj Mahal
Courtesy: Instagram – UP Tourism
Taj Mahal, a symbol of undying love, will finally welcome back tourists. Every day, only 5,500 tourists will be allowed. All safety guidelines will be followed. No entry will be provided without masks, and the tickets have to be purchased online. Taj Mahal will remain closed on Fridays and Sundays.
The Agra fort, better known as the Red Fort, used to be the residence of Mughal emperors. Islamic architecture forms the core of this fort. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site like its sister monument Taj Mahal. After the Mughals, it was owned by Maratha rulers and then captured by the British.
Better known as Araam Bagh, this garden is located about 5 km to the northeast of the Taj Mahal. The design style followed is Persian. Designed by Emperor Babur, it is said to be the oldest Mughal garden in India. It is also believed that he was temporarily buried here here before being carried to Kabul, Afghanistan.
Fatehpur Sikri
Courtesy: Instagram – UP Tourism
Another UNESCO site on our list, this historic town was built predominately in red sandstone, 37km in the west of Agra. There’s Buland Darwaza gate, Jama Masjid Mosque, Marble tomb of Salim Chisti and much more. It was founded in 1569 by Emperor Akbar and served as the capital of the Mughal empire for some years.
