The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

This is a STUNNING property - genuinely awe inducing. It’s beautiful and well maintained and the fact that you can see the taj from every room is just the icing on top. However, there were a few service lapses that I wouldn’t expect at this price point. I had booked an FHR stay through Amex to celebrate my dad’s 70th birthday. The staff went above and beyond in making it special - especially want to shoutout Pankaj and Ehsaan from the Indian restaurant who did a spectacular meal service and made it so memorable for him. Disappointingly, I wasn’t offered an upgrade for an FHR booking and had to constantly enquire about the FHR perks (usually, the hotel gives you an FHR welcome kit laying them out). Separately, the person checking us in and checking us out (same person) was less than welcoming - she seemed very matter of fact and then said she’d follow up with me on the name of our guide and setting up the WiFi but never did. When I was checking out, she rolled her eyes when I was inquiring about the charges on my bill and exasperated that they didn’t credit both rooms with the $100 credit that FHR bookings receive. However, an astute manager overheard and sent someone over to diffuse the situation - Himanshu was great and a consummate professional. The rooms and bathrooms are also dated (not unusual for an Oberoi property). I would say that at this price, I’m expecting excellence - akin to the Aman properties where every single staff member wants you to walk away having the best possible trip. I’d go again but I’d probably wait for a discount and make sure that any service lapses are addressed immediately.

We stayed at the Oberoi Amarvilas hotel for only one night. The hotel is located within walking distance of the Taj Mahal and provides golf buggies to drive you there. Great location for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Rooms are beautiful with all rooms having a Taj Mahal view. Super traditional welcome, lovely grounds, very peaceful and great service throughout. A world class hotel.

The location is very beautiful, it is only 60p meters from the Taj Mahal. The atmosphere was amazing, with the pool being deep blue and the grounds being neatly trimmed. The rooms were amazing and had bathrooms worthy of 5 star hotels. The value was accurate for the luxury of this hotel. It was very clean everywhere, except for some birds in the rafters of the roof in the little cove overlooking the far side of the pool. The noise level was fine, except for some loud cracks about every 15 minutes which I still don’t know what they were. The service was very good. The driver was very kind and nice, they left birthday balloons and cake and special pillows for my daughter’s birthday. There were a lot of cakes throughout our stay. The activities for children were accommodating, like making mocktails with the bartenders, or kite flying, or planting trees.

We stayed here for 4 days during our India-Bhutan trip, and it was absolutely worth it. Yes, also because of the magnificent room view of the Taj Mahal, but especially because of the attentive, professional, and personal service. Wonderful people who took such good care of us. Thank you very much. This hotel is in a class of its own.

Really wonderful hotel. Perfect location with a beautiful garden and swimming pool. Elephant slippers. Amazing views, incredible food and even a birthday cake and a lovely present. Will def go back.