The Taj Mahal isn’t the only similarly named destination in Agra. The country’s premier hotel company, Indian Hotels (IHCL), does have an eponymous hotel a stone’s throw away from the famed monument. And it’s aiming at a different kind of guest.
Taj Hotel & Convention Centre is only the second biggest hotel in the city of the Taj, but it is well on its way to becoming the numero uno destination for a fast-growing category—the MICE crowd, or to put it in plain-speak, a destination for meetings, conferences, and of course, the big fat Indian wedding.
Wedding venue at the Taj Hotel & Convention Centre in Agra, with Taj Mahal in the background | IHCL
“There’s something truly magical about taking your vows in Agra, the city of love, with the Taj Mahal as a backdrop,” says Rajesh Chakraborty, cluster general manager (operations) & general manager, Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra. “We bring that dream to life with breathtaking venues, world-class hospitality and bespoke wedding services—all while being more cost-effective than hosting a wedding in Delhi or Lucknow.”
The venue surely must be on the radar of wedding planners from the big cities on either side of it—UP capital Lucknow, as well as the national capital New Delhi (and the larger Delhi NCR), both conveniently linked to Agra via expressways. The hotel checks all the requirements for hosting weddings—lavish and big, or deeply intimate.
The restaurant at Taj Hotel & Convention Centre in Agra | IHCL
Its multiple banqueting spaces include the 2,322 sq mt pillarless Mansion banquet hall and the elegant Grand Ballroom, not to mention smaller spaces for other functions like pre-wedding sundowners and cocktail dos. We dig the rooftop infinity pool and bar area, which offers a view of the Taj Mahal.
“Beyond the grandeur, we focus on the finer details... from customised gourmet experiences and indulgent spa rituals to seamless decor and impeccable service, every aspect is tailored to reflect your unique love story... [ensuring] an unforgettable wedding experience,” adds Chakraborty.
The infinity pool at Taj Hotel & Convention Centre in Agra, with Taj Mahal in the background | IHCL
With 239 redesigned rooms and suites to take care of the wedding guests (the group has an additional hotel, Taj View, nearby, in case there are spillovers), the group is aiming at a re-positioning of the Taj Hotel & Convention Centre in Agra from just a charter tourist magnet to a hub of big conferences and weddings.
Owned by Paritosh Ladhani’s Sincere Developers, the property was earlier run by Radisson before IHCL took over in 2018. IHCL then went in for a massive renovation and revitalisation spree, which was completed only recently.
