The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

I stayed here in room 303 (a "Premier Room, 1 King Bed, Balcony") for one night in January 2025. Rating: 9/10 Positives: • The setting of this hotel is unparalleled. My room was one of only five in the hotel with a spacious and private balcony overlooking the Taj Mahal, just 600 meters away through a monkey-filled woodland. Sitting on the balcony, enjoying a drink while gazing at this world wonder, was a memory I’ll treasure forever. • Although the hotel opened in 2000, its architecture and decor evoke an immense sense of history. I marveled at how well the old-world ambiance was captured while seamlessly integrating luxurious modern amenities. • As with the other • properties I visited in India, the customer service and attention to detail were impeccable. • The concierge arranged an excellent personal guide for the Taj Mahal named Rishi, who was knowledgeable, engaging, and knew all the best photo vantage points. The hotel’s convenient golf cart service for the short ride to and from the Taj Mahal was another thoughtful touch. • I enjoyed two excellent meals during my stay: a delightful dinner at the hotel restaurant and a delicious room service breakfast. • The gym was comfortable, well-equipped, and perfect for my morning workout. • It was clear that Rohit and the hotel management genuinely cared about my experience. During checkout, they proactively asked if there was anything they could have done better, a gesture that highlighted their commitment to guest satisfaction. The parting gift of a small marble jewelry case was a thoughtful and much-appreciated touch. Negatives: • My only significant issue was the room temperature at night. Despite setting the thermostat to its lowest level (either 18 or 20 degrees Celsius), the temperature never dropped below 23 degrees, according to my digital thermometer. This made sleeping uncomfortable for me, though everything else about the room was excellent. Any temptation to open the balcony door for cooler air was dashed by the hotel’s warning that monkeys could enter the room if the door was left open. I found myself debating whether I wanted to sleep cooler or risk a monkey encounter! • During a visit to the beautiful hotel bar, I ordered a gin and tonic but inadvertently made poor choices in selecting the gin and size. I chose a gin I hadn’t tried before, “Jodhpur,” and opted for a large size (60ml or 2oz). I was shocked to find the drink cost over $60, as each 30ml pour was 2800 rupees. While the drink itself was delicious, the price left a sour taste. • The bathroom fixtures could use some updating. My shower leaked slightly even when I was sure I had turned it off, which felt out of place in such an otherwise impeccably maintained property.

This is the only hotel you should stay at if you going to see the Taj Mahal. It is without a doubt the best hotel and best service you could find in the area. The breakfast is very good and the view from the room is fantastic. You can watch the evening dance performance from the balcony of your room.

The hotel and grounds of this Hotel are absolutely beautiful. The location of the property is the best in Agra with a short ride by buggy to the Taj Mahal entrance. Service and amenities at the Hotel exceeded our expectations. Absolutely recommend this property for your stay in Agra. We were so well cared for during our visit with our family. Thank you so much to the Oberoi Amarvilas! We look forward to visiting again one day, Brendan and Angela, Newcastle Australia.

Quick stay at Oberoi to see the Tajmahal. Had a great tour with our guide Sandeep who was excellent. Interesting history description, knew where and how to take the best pictures, and was very nice to talk to. Would definitely recommend and hope to come back for a longer stay next time.

We were on trip to India, covering the Golden triangle and a couple of other cities; The Oberoi was by far the best Hotel we stayed at. The whole experience was among from start to finish , the quality of the food was great and the service was amazing, the only regret is that we were only there for one night only