If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Agra with views of the Taj Mahal, hands down, there is only one place to stay – The Oberoi Amarvilas.
Selecting a luxury hotel in Agra with views of the Taj Mahal
There are two luxury hotels in Agra that visitors often compare: The Oberoi Amarvilas and ITC Mughal, A Luxury Collection Hotel. To decide which hotel to book, I spoke with people who have visited Agra and have seen both hotels. I also scoured the internet for hotel information and obtained input from travel professionals. After staying at The Oberoi, I can confirm, it is the best luxury hotel in Agra with views of the Taj Mahal. The Oberoi exceeded my expectations in every way and is worth the extra cost.
The Oberoi Amarvilas is the best luxury hotel in Agra and stands apart from its luxury hotel competitors for five reasons:
1. Guests can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal from every room at the hotel;
2. The Oberoi is only a five-minute golf cart drive away from the Taj Mahal;
3. The Oberoi is a luxury hotel in Agra with newly renovated guest rooms;
4. The hotel grounds are beautiful; and
5. The Oberoi prides itself on service.
There are a few other hotels in Agra, some with views of the Taj Mahal. However, The Oberoi is the luxury hotel in Agra with views of the Taj Mahal.
The views of the Taj Mahal are spectacular
I chose this luxury hotel in Agra with views of the Taj Mahal based on its reputation and luxurious accommodations. The Oberoi offers fantastic views of the Taj Mahal from the minute you walk into the hotel.
After I caught my breath and walked around the hotel, I was amazed that I could see the Taj Mahal, not just from the lobby, but from every corner of the hotel. The Taj Mahal can be seen regardless of whether you are in the hotel lobby, the bar, your guest room, the pool, or the gardens.
Proximity to the Taj Mahal and other sites
There is a saying in real estate – location, location, location. This saying easily translates to selecting a hotel.
The location of The Oberoi could not be any better. The Oberoi is 600 meters from the Taj Mahal. The road leading to the Taj Mahal is closed to cars, but not to golf carts! The Oberoi guests can take a five-minute golf cart ride to the entrance of the Taj Mahal.
In addition to the golf cart ride, the close location allows guests to sleep a little later (although not much if you do the sunrise tour) and take advantage of the morning. After a day touring the Taj Mahal with tons of other tourists, it is a treat to be picked up in your golf cart and whisked back to your luxurious hotel.
The Oberoi is also near two other important historical sites: Agra Fort and the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri.
The Agra Fort (pictured above) is a 20-minute drive (5 kilometers) from The Oberoi. The ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri (pictured below) is an hour and a half drive (45 kilometers) from The Oberoi.
Both are interesting and on the way to Jaipur.
The Oberoi – the best luxury hotel in Agra with views of the Taj Mahal
Pulling up to The Oberoi after a four and half hour drive from New Delhi was like seeing a mirage in the desert. The hotel, even apart from the views, is gorgeous. Despite being built-in 2001, The Oberoi gives the intended illusion that it is hundreds of years old. The architect, Prabhat Patki, drew inspiration from Mughal and Moorish architecture in his design. He met the challenge of building a hotel that would capture the grandeur of the Taj Mahal while creating a luxurious and peaceful experience for its guests.
Every guest room, regardless of type, overlooks the Taj Mahal, the pool, and the gardens.
We stayed in a deluxe room with a balcony. The rooms are spacious and have a king bed, a walk-in closet, and a good-size bathroom with a separate shower and tub.
Once you leave the room, The Oberoi provides guests with an opportunity to relax in a calm and serene environment with the Taj Mahal as a gorgeous backdrop.
To enhance your experience, the hotel offers yoga, a fitness center, and a spa.
Since I practice yoga at home, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to practice yoga in India. Sitting out on the lawn and practicing yoga in such a peaceful environment was the perfect way to ease into the afternoon and eventually dinner. In India, yoga focuses on breathing and slow stretching rather than a traditional vinyasa flow practiced in the United States.
After a relaxing afternoon, we sat outside at the hotel bar and sipped cocktails while we watched traditional Indian dancing and the sunset over the Taj Mahal.
By this time, we were hungry for dinner. The food at The Oberoi is full of flavor. The dinner and breakfast menus offer a wide variety of delicious choices.
Breakfast, in particular, is impressive. After an early morning at the Taj Mahal, I couldn’t wait for breakfast. I took advantage of the delicious buffet as well as ordering off the breakfast menu. In addition, The Oberoi was kind enough to recognize our anniversary and provided us with a cake for dessert. Yum!
The hotel grounds are beautiful
The pool and the surrounding terraced gardens beckon you to step outside. The pool and lounge areas feature both a space for sunbathers and an open-air covered area where guests can find relief from the sun on hot days. I could describe the grounds, but it’s better to show you.
The service at The Oberoi Amarvilas is superb
We were well taken care of at The Oberoi from the moment we checked into the hotel. The level of service is what you would expect from a hotel of this caliber. The staff is always available, personable, and aims to make your experience special. We enjoyed our time at The Oberoi. So much so, we wish we could have stayed another day.
Why you should consider two nights at The Oberoi Amarvilas
The main attraction in Agra is the Taj Mahal. Many visitors spend about 24 hours in Agra and move on as soon as they finish their Taj Mahal visit. Looking back, I wish I would have spent an extra night relaxing in Agra at The Oberoi.
We were on a six-day tour of India’s Golden Triangle (New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur). We packed in as much as we could in those few short days. I didn’t realize when we booked our trip how tired I would be from jet lag, a full day of sightseeing in New Delhi, and the long day ahead of us after we left Agra.
The day we left Agra, we started the day with a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal (a must-do), had breakfast, packed up, and headed out to the Agra Fort and the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri before arriving in Jaipur late that evening. It’s a lot of moving in a short period of time. If you have the time (and the budget), think about spending an extra day in Agra where you can rest and rejuvenate at The Oberoi before heading out to your next stop.
I hope you enjoy this luxury hotel in Agra with a view of the Taj Mahal as much as we did!
Don’t forget to check out the Taj Mahal while staying at The Oberoi. For my Taj Mahal insider tips, click here.
