- What initiated the redesign of the hotel? What was the design philosophy behind its revamp?
Taj Mahal, New Delhi, one of the most distinguished addresses in India’s national capital, is a tribute to timeless hospitality and legendary service. With its proximity to the seat of government, business district, cultural centers and iconic heritage wonders, Taj Mahal, New Delhi is one of the most preferred locations among patrons. The re-model and redesign was initiated to be future ready and continue to be relevant to our guests & patrons – yesterday, today, forever. Exuding a “classic meets modern vibe”, our newly designed Taj Club Suites and Rooms, and Luxury Residences, offer a breath-taking view of Lutyens Delhi. In our journey of transformation, we have unveiled an all-new avatar of Machan, a stylishly redesigned Emperor Lounge, a gracefully refreshed lobby, distinctly transformed Taj Club Suites & Rooms, magnificent Poolside Lawns featuring a new temperature controlled swimming pool, the re-imagined offerings at The Chambers and the recently reinvented culinary legend – House of Ming. We are delighted to announce the opening of the new Taj Club Lounge – a modern, sophisticated space with a touch of Indian inspired elements for the cosmopolitan, business traveller.
Taj Mahal, New Delhi remains an ideal location with distinctly transformed accommodation, exquisite dining choices, inspired services and exclusive offerings in the heart of the Capital.
Internationally acclaimed designer, David Edward of Aston Design, drew inspiration from the unmatched location of Taj Mahal, New Delhi, the City’s rich heritage, the legacy of the Hotel and the architectural influences of Sir Edwin Lutyens. Each of our newly designed suites and rooms exude contemporary international style and timeless traditional elegance woven with the elements of Tajness. With luxurious spaces, state-of-the- art air purification technology and stunning views of the City, Taj Mahal, New Delhi welcomes patrons – yesterday, today, forever.
An idyllic urban sanctuary, Taj Mahal, New Delhi is amongst the capital’s finest and revered luxury hotels. With a glorious legacy of over forty years, the Hotel warmly welcomes its guests and patrons to a re-imagined atmosphere of quiet sophistication and unsurpassed hospitality.
- What are the services and benefits offered by the revamped Chambers and the recently launched Luxury Residencies, to its business travellers and members?
The iconic Taj Mahal, New Delhi unveiled the re-imagined and re-designed avatar of The Chambers, India’s first and most revered business club. The Chambers enjoys an illustrious patronage since its inception over four decades ago. The new Chambers at Taj Mahal, New Delhi offers classic elegance in a contemporary setting in the capital’s landmark location with stunning views of the city’s skyline. With the recent launch of The Chambers Global Membership, members can enjoy enhanced privileges and benefits.
The Chambers is for a community of members, who are accomplished acclaimed achievers. The renovated Chambers with elegant and stylish spaces, and a world class restaurant offering modern gourmet cuisine will give members access to an uber-luxury private and exclusive club at the city’s most distinguished address.
The Chambers provides members a haven to conduct business or simply unwind. New features include Albero, a 60-seater restaurant; seven meeting rooms, of which one is designed by the renowned Italian luxury brand, Stefano Ricci; The Chambers Lounge, a sophisticated bar; and a cigar lounge. Albero and The Chambers Lounge offer Indian and international cuisine, rich in flavours and exquisite in its presentation. The menu features several world classics with a modern twist and specially-crafted set menus for power breakfasts or a light, relaxed meal. Cheese and wine pairings, dark chocolate and almond boards, and a wide range of beverages are some of the added touches to the unparalleled experience at The Chambers. The service as always is warm, discreet yet highly personalized.
The Chambers, today, has presence across eight marquee Taj hotels in six cities including Dubai and London, and will soon have its presence in Bengaluru and New York.
The Chambers Restaurant:
· The new restaurant is a 60-seater with stunning views of Lutyens’ Delhi, heritage marvels & power blocks and boasts of a splendidly high ceiling with beautiful chandeliers. The design elements on the walls, the overall interiors and colours showcase an impressive modern remodelling of the Capital’s preferred destination for meetings and dining.
· The restaurant offers an international gourmet selection and Indian cuisine with creative innovations, much-loved favourites and exquisite presentations. The culinary repertoire, at the new restaurant, boasts of the highest quality of ingredients and celebrates global and local flavours. The beverage philosophy is engaging, inviting and appealing. From a fine selection of wine, malts and whiskey, to trendy concepts like beverage trolleys, gin-carts and desert trolleys, the culinary journey offers immersive experiences.
· The dining experience is further enhanced with carefully customised and hand-picked cutlery, crockery and glassware from Europe.
· The dinnerware collection is from Bernardaud, masters of the art of French porcelain since 1863 in Limoges that combine craftsmanship and innovation, creativity and heritage. The ‘Sieger’ collection by Furstenberg, Germany’s second oldest porcelain manufactory, has been hand-picked for The Chambers Lounge. An eclectic selection from Revol also makes its mark at The Chambers.
· Glassware from Riedel displays craftsmanship and expertise in glass design and has been a revolutionary company that celebrates a momentous occasion this year of 265 years as a family-owned glassware business. The Schott Zwiesel Hommage collection has been integrated at The Chambers. Elegant silver cutlery from Christofle is a beautiful and luxurious element for the guests.
· The bespoke designs and decorative scheme of the restaurant is a salute to the destination complemented by the towering views of Delhi’s most magnificent skyline.
· The Chambers introduces a Whiskey Bar in the Chambers Lounge.
· A Cigar Lounge is also being launched, a first at the Hotel since 1978.
· Diageo Bar is designed as a Blue label bar with a display that shows unique offerings/ rarest and most treasured selection by Diageo. The Cigar Lounge has state of art contemporary seating in a very intimate enclosed space for the guests to relax and enjoy their smoking experience. There is a humidor room attached to the Cigar room, which showcases an impressive collection from Davidoff.
· Stefano Ricci, the internationally acclaimed Italian luxury lifestyle brand with headquarters located in Fiesole, has designed a meeting room that showcases world-class design elements and offers magnificent views of the city by day and at night.
· State of the art air technology – Installation of a Swedish technology Air purification System to control PM10, PM2.5 & PM1 as per WHO guidelines to mitigate the spread of harmful microbes and also to maintain the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as per the prescribed norms given by ISHRAE and ASHRAE. Built on 2 stage mechanical media membrane filtration consisting of Stage 1 Pre filter dual layered blended polyester to take care of PM10 and Stage 2 Fine filter Wet Laid Glass Fibre with hot melt glue to take care of PM2.5 and PM1 particles. In addition, the H13 HEPA filter is installed which is a medical-grade air filter capable of removing a minimum of 99.95% particles at MPPS (0.21 microns) to maintain PM2.5 levels below 25mg m3 and to arrest the air borne carriers via return air grill. Air Purifiers used are environmental friendly as it does not emit any kind of by product during its operation. The filters trap the airborne particles and absorb the harmful gases and VOC’s that generally have odours).
· The Chambers has introduced the Rendezvous Series – Rendezvous – a collection of intimate, immersive and indulgent events, tastefully curated for our discerning members at IHCLs landmark hotels across the country. Designed to engage and entertain, these evenings focus on creating bespoke experiences that are unique and niche.
· Dine in at The Kitchen at The Chambers – guests can walkthrough and/ or even chose to dine in The Chambers Kitchen! In its new avatar, The Chambers kitchen is also a venue for interactive and engaging conversations and dining experiences for our members and their guests.
· The Chambers corridor retains its treasured collection of original works by renowned Indian cartoonist, illustrator, and humourist R.K. Laxman.
Luxury Residences:
Taj Mahal, New Delhi unveiled Luxury Residences – a home in the heart of the capital, featuring one and two bedroom elegantly appointed Residences with contemporary facilities and personalised services that the hotel is world renowned for.
· The Luxury Residences offer sophisticated and attentively designed living facilities, expansive and stylish spaces to unwind or work and are the perfect choice for an extended stay in the city.
· Offering stunning views of the capital’s skyline, the design reflects the city’s rich heritage, Sir Edwin Lutyens’ architectural influences and the natural beauty of our surroundings.
· These 14 Luxury Residences offer one and two bedroom fully serviced residences featuring living and dining spaces, interconnected suites, walk-in rain showers, spacious wardrobes, fully equipped kitchens with modern conveniences and appliances such as washing machine, microwave, induction stove tops, dish washer and refrigerator.
· The Residences are complimented with the hotel’s notable services that include the highly acclaimed concierge, butler service, personalised and flexible gastronomic offerings and culinary consultants, dedicated housekeeping and access to The Taj Club Lounge.
· In addition, these exclusive residences are designed with state-of-the-art air purification technologies, providing an environment of heightened safety and hygiene protocols
- What were the challenges faced while revamping the entire space?
The pandemic, an unfortunate and unseen crisis for the world, did alter the course of work for projects and the renovation schedule owing to domestic and international lockdowns.
- The new and unique culinary experiences introduced at The Chambers and other restaurants, including House of Ming/Machan?
Various engaging culinary concepts have also been launched at the all-new The Chambers at Taj Mahal, New Delhi – The Grand Sunday Brunch, Flambé Nights and more.
We have introduced Rendezvous at The Chambers – Rendezvous – a collection of intimate, immersive and meaningful events, tastefully curated for our discerning members at IHCLs landmark hotels across the country. Designed to engage and entertain, these evenings focus on creating bespoke experiences that are unique and niche.
Additionally, guests can walkthrough and/ or even chose to dine in The Chambers Kitchen.
Cooking-Up-A-Tale, a unique and curated culinary series introduced at Machan, serves flavoursome immersive experiences, where friends serve food and memories for a select group of passionate gourmands and is re-inventing the experience of cooking in creative ways by putting together scrumptious food along with delightful conversations.
At the legendary House of Ming that reopened in its new avatar in May 2022, guests can enjoy signature favorites and novel dishes from the Sichuan, Cantonese and Hunan cuisine. The restaurant has crafted a series of distinct beverages, each with a unique story and mix of flavours. Guests can also experience Imperial Dining, in the private dining area, with a 17-course menu, interactive culinary presentations and inspired service.
- What were the technological/sustainable aspects which were taken care of while designing the interiors of the hotel?
State of the art air technology – Installation of a Swedish technology Air purification System to control PM10, PM2.5 & PM1 as per WHO guidelines to mitigate the spread of harmful microbes and also to maintain the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as per the prescribed norms given by ISHRAE and ASHRAE. Air Purifiers used are environmentally friendly as they do not emit any kind of by product during its operation, for instance-negative ions, ozone, UV rays etc. which could be harmful to human beings. The filters trap the airborne particles and absorb the harmful gases and VOC’s that generally have odours.
With heightened focus on sustainability and conservation, the new Machan has reduced carbon footprints and prides itself on a complete cut down of single use plastic. Each table has a long-lasting terrarium plant that purifies the air. A significant majority of the materials used at Machan have been sourced locally and created by craftsmen from neighbouring states. At Machan, the stunning tree canopies are made of cane, a series of terracotta animal masks have been specially created by local artists.
- What are the GM’s touch in these spaces?
A space should always be designed for the Guest, in hospitality – Keeping the hotel brand in mind during the design process is extremely crucial. Understanding the identity and message of the brand must be considered, along with the target market for that particular brand.
At the all-new The Chambers at Taj Mahal, New Delhi, luxury comprises of – the design essence, the culinary philosophy, the service design, the highly personalised offerings and the strong sense of belonging, and humility, to be an esteemed member of India’s first exclusive business club.
Taj Mahal, New Delhi now offers a renewed Taj Club Lounge with luxurious spaces, world-class amenities and personalised services amidst stunning views. The transformed lounge, designed by Aston Designs led by David Edwards, offers a multi-functional space where guests are warmly welcomed to relax, dine, interact with the community and work. From butler service to an innovative array of culinary offerings, the bouquet of offerings is crafted with care.
Taj Mahal, New Delhi has been on a transformational journey and has introduced distinctly designed and novel offerings. We look forward to welcoming guests to another reimagined experience and a home in the heart of the Capital.
