A champagne breakfast overlooking the Taj Mahal
As travellers both in India and abroad looking for experiential tourism rather than ‘plain sightseeing’, attractions of hot tourist spots are also undergoing a tweak. When it comes to Agra and India’s own ‘ode to love’, that means going beyond just visiting the Taj Mahal as well as a dekho of the Red Fort and then strolling through some dubious leather outlets and tourist-trap restaurants.
Agra today offers experiences beyond the Mughal monument, with anything from a visit to Baby Taj (Jehangir’s wife Noor Jehan’s mausoleum for her family members that was used as a design blueprint for the Taj) to Bhateshwar’s 108 Shiv temples on the banks of the Yamuna, to, perhaps even an inspirational visit to the world’s only cafe run by acid attack survivors, right in downtown Agra. The bustling town is today a business hotspot by itself beyond its tourist credentials and has on offer anything from hip nightspots to party away and world cuisine fine dining experiences.
But nothing exudes sheer luxury like the experience that brings the city’s past and future together seamlessly—the champagne breakfast experience at the Taj Hotel & Convention Centre. The hotel’s general manager Rajesh Chakraborty gets it right when he says the hotel’s vision was to “honour Agra’s grandeur while redefining luxury for today’s traveller.”
The champagne breakfast is a ‘request only’ experience at the hotel, served at the rooftop poolside, of course with a breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal. Have it in the morning straight from bed or after a dip in the pool later, it features a lavish spread of gourmet delicacies and handcrafted desserts—from cold cuts and croissants to, well, anything one would like to order from the hotel kitchens, more or less! All, of course, suitably washed down by the bubbly of your choice.
“The serene ambience framed by the breathtaking silhouette of the Taj Mahal makes it an unforgettable, indulgent affair, perfect for a romantic retreat, a celebratory occasion or simply a leisurely afternoon of fine dining and spectacular views,” said Chakraborty.
The champagne breakfast is available not just for hotel guests but for anyone who wants it curated for a special occasion. It’s not exactly cheap, priced at 16,000 rupees per couple, but then, where else can you say you had an indulgent gastronomic journey like this all the while gazing at one of the wonders of the world?
Tourism