I still remember the thrill when I climbed the mound inside Taj Khema. It seemed as if I can touch the majestic Taj Mahal from inside our hotel ground.
Taj Khema is the nearest hotel in the vicinity of Taj Mahal. No private hotel would have been permitted that close to the Taj. You can reach the Taj Mahal in less than ten minutes of walking.
This hotel is maintained by UP Tourism Department. Any high ranking government or political person who comes to visit Taj Mahal generally stays here. But any general public can stay here too.
The hotel is located near the eastern gate of Taj Mahal and very far away from the market area.
We booked the hotel through telephonic conversation with the hotel manager and submitting the booking amount in Taj Khema’s bank account. The rooms cost around Rs. 2500/-. There was a little delay from their side regarding the hotel booking confirmation but it was booked alright at the end.
There are both cottages and rooms available. The swiss cottages are a bit costlier than the rooms. But the cottages are beautifully built and smartly placed inside the hotel premises. Although the rooms are placed at the far end but they are quite standard, clean and have big bathrooms. The hotel has lot of empty space and garden to play around. There was a couple of peacocks too.
One thing I did not liked is their service. There were senior citizens in our group. It was not possible for them to walk and climb down steps to reach the dining every time during meals. So we requested only a couple of dinner plates to be served to our rooms. But our request was declined. Moreover they were reluctant to serve water to the rooms as it was quite far off from their kitchen and dining. We ourselves had to take the water bottles from the kitchen to our rooms.
Since Taj Khema is located quite close to the Taj Mahal no motorised vehicles are allowed near its vicinity. One has to walk long to reach this hotel. And walking with kids, old people and luggage is really a thing you should be mentally prepared beforehand. Sometimes if you are lucky you may get hand pulled rickshaws albeit at high cost. But anytime local police may restrict all type of vehicles including rickshaws too up to the hotel. Then you are left with no choice but to walk to the hotel. Do not expect anybody from the hotel to come and help you although they have their own battery car. They will give excuse that the driver is not available or the car is inoperative.
But if you are young and sturdy or a habitual walker this hotel will surely blow your mind.
During the check in I saw that the SP of Agra Police has paid a visit and all of the staffs were very busy attending the VIPs so our check in process was a little delayed.
They have a good restaurant. But the quality of a same dish may differ time to time. I think for lunch and dinner they have different cooks. I liked the quality of lunch better than the dinner. But the overall quality of food and the ambience both are fine. The price of the foods are standard too.
Finally I would like to say that if I visit Agra again I will definitely stay in Taj Khema. You will never find both great views and the market in same place anywhere in the world. But they should improve their guest service. The only reason for my stay would be the grand view of the Taj Mahal from the hotel. You will know what I am talking about only if you stay a couple of nights there. Its pure ecstacy to drink a cup of tea looking at the Taj at such a close proximity any time and say.Arre Huzoor, Wah Taj Boliye. Lol.