An ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL AND AGA KHAN AWARD WINNER IN THE CITY OF TAJ MAHAL
A TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL MUGHAL ERA
One has only heard stories of Mughal splendor, their imposing palaces, lavish banquets, and grand
lifestyles. The only way to fully comprehend this extravagant lifestyle is to actually live it.
The medieval charm of Agra acts as a befitting backdrop to ITC Mughal – nestled amidst 23 Acres of
luxurious gardens it has the distinction of being the winner of the First Aga Khan Award for
Architectural Excellence, in Asia, and till date, the only Indian Hotel to have won this prestigious
International recognition. The Aga Khan Award states,” A splendid redbrick edifice that blends
beautifully with the city’s landscape, the hotel’s unique architecture draws inspiration from the 16th
Century Architectural Marvel – The Fatehpur Sikri and thus recreates the architectural style of the
Mughal dynasty through geometrical proportions and layout of spaces; delicate use if marble;
landscaped courtyards, gardens, and water bodies.”
In its search for consistency with historical context, The ITC Mughal has achieved a fine integration
of outer with inner space, use of landscaping, and water. The three bridges that connect the lobby to
the rooms through a cluster of garden courts have been named after Emperor Akbar’s wives –
Jodhabai, Mariam, and Manumati. The landscaped gardens with their quaint lotus ponds are a
reflection of Emperors Humayun’s fine taste, the grandeur of the Porch is dedicated to Emperor
Babur’s love for style and the durbar- like Lobby, is inspired by Emperors Akbar’s Durbar, where he
gave equal opportunities to his people and their opinions. The mood begins from the reception
area, where the splendid lobby and Maikhana- the lobby bar is lit by the light of myriad crystal
chandeliers
The romance of the city translates into a hotel where it is difficult to define where tradition ends and
modernity begins. One can retreat to one’s personal haven with the magnificent richness of guests’
rooms that are an inspired tribute to the grandeur of the Mughals. ITC Mughal offers 233 elegantly
appointed rooms, including suites, Mughal Chambers, and the Mughal Room, which makes an
understated appreciation of timeless grace and sophistication. Some of the rooms offer a unique
Mughal Feature – a low divan seating at the bay window. Here one is welcomed by the beauty and
charm of Mughal architecture, a view of verdant gardens, and the swimming pool.
Towards the ethos of the Responsible Luxury, ITC Mughal has been awarded Platinum
certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) (Existing Building) by
the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability
achievement and leadership. The LEED plague stands for leadership and demonstrates that a
building has been designed, built, and is operating as intended. Being “built to LEED” or “LEED
equivalency” doesn’t exist- There is no substitute for LEED certification.
JHAROKHA-E-TAJ AT ITC MUGHAL :
At The ITC Mughal Agra, you romance the gardens as much as the monuments as at the Jharokha-e-
Taj, which is the Taj View Point for you to have an appointment with the ‘Taj Mahal’ for a splendid
view. The sun breaks through the clouds… you must get to the Jharokha-e-Taj to watch the colors
play in the sky with the Taj in the backdrop …absolutely breathtaking.
Namaste Symbol of ITC Hotels
Namaste at ITC Hotels is not only a heartfelt welcome, but it is also inspired by our ancient scripture
‘AtithiDevoBhava; which prescribes the dynamics of the host and guest relationship. Namaste
acknowledges the honor of being a host and looking after guests in.
About “Responsible Luxury “ Initiatives at ITC Mughal :
With the decade strong ‘Responsible Luxury’ as its guiding premise, ITC
Hotels are committed to delivering luxury experiences with sustainable
practices embedded in the process – an endeavor which has manifested in
the coveted LEED*® Platinum rating for all its luxury hotels, making ITC
Hotels amongst the ‘Greenest’ luxury hotel chains in the world.
(*Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design – by U.S. Green Building
Council and the Indian Green Building Council)
The well-being of guests, associates and partners has always been of
paramount importance at ITC Hotels and more so in these testing times.
Namaste at ITC Hotels is not only a heartfelt welcome, it is inspired by
our ancient scripture ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ which prescribes the dynamics of
the host and guest relationship. Namaste acknowledges the honor of being a
host and to look after guests in the most responsible manner without
compromising the high standards the guest has come to expect. It is a call
from within that keeps the Indian Values alive, pure and timeless.
Sustainable business practices that respect the environment and society have always been the DNA of ITC Hotels. Since pioneering the concept of “Responsible Luxury” in 2009, ITC Hotels has commissioned numerous planet positive initiatives, which range from the use of renewable energy which today powers more than 57% of ITC Hotels electrical requirement to an over 50% reduction in water consumption over the last five years to name a few and amongst the first hospitality chains to discontinue use of ‘Single-Use Plastic ‘across its operations.
ITC Hotels has also been focused on initiatives addressing health and wellbeing and over the years introduced many initiatives like heightened focus on Indoor Air Quality, installation of Radiation harmonizers that mitigate the harmful effects of radiation at all ITC Hotels and the Sleep Program which addresses multiple parameters aimed at enhancing the quality of sleep from interventions on controlling decibel levels in the room to lighting, fragrance & aromas to introduction of a sleep menu designed to promote the biological aspect of sleep quality using select food ingredients from across the world.
As part of the Responsible Luxury initiatives at ITC Mughal, includes :
- ITC Mughal uses 24%less energy than the USGBC’s national average for large size luxury hotels,
- More than 65% of ongoing consumables used at ITC Mughal are either local or recycled. Low Volatile Organic Compounds paints and Forest StewardshipCouncil ) certified wood is used for refurbishments and renovations,
- More than 40% of the food used is harvested and processed locally within 160 km of the hotel,
- More than 99% of the solid waste is either recycled or reused through recycling programs or converted into organic manure by Organic Manure Converter.
- The building consciously promotes the cultivation of the native plants covering more than 50% of building area
- The Hotel’s rainwater harvesting capacity is 54% of the peak rainfall
- Promoting SunyAqua, zero-mile water with a sophisticated in-house Water Purification System includes the Ultrafiltration process.
- The installation of SBT (Soil Bio-Technology) for effluent water treatment to recycle and reuse.
- Radiation Harmonizers,
Towards the ethos of the Responsible Luxury, ITC Mughal has been awarded Platinum certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) (Existing Building) by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. The LEED plague stands for leadership and demonstrates that a building has been designed, built and is operating as intended. Being “built to LEED” or “LEED equivalency” doesn’t exist- There is a no substitute for LEED certification.
ARCHITECTURAL BACKGROUND
ITC MUGHAL THE LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT & SPA IN AGRA
A TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL MUGHAL ERA
Sprawled over 23 acres of luxurious gardens, and in close proximity to the Taj Mahal, ITC Mughal Resort & Spa in Agra is a fitting tribute to the great Mughal builders of the past. The erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Akbar, and an unmissable destination on the itinerary of every traveler to India, Agra offers a revealing glimpse into the refinement of Mughal courtly life and Mughal sensibilities.
ITC Mughal has the distinction of being the winner of the First Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence, in Asia, and to date, the only Indian Hotel to have won this prestigious international recognition. The hotel had grabbed the award, because of the architecture of the property which was inspired by the heritage Mughal monuments, namely Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort.
A splendid red edifice, hotel with its old-world garden paths and cascading waterways and an ode to Mughal architecture after the splendid taj Mahal, opulent and personalized service to make you feel at home, and rejuvenating luxury experience at Kaya Kalp- the country’s largest and finest world-class award-winning spa.
JHAROKHA-E-TAJ AT ITC MUGHAL :
At The ITC Mughal Agra, you romance the gardens as much as the monuments as at the Jharokha-e-Taj, which is the Taj View Point for you to have an appointment with the ‘Taj Mahal’ for a splendid view. The sun breaks through the clouds… you must get to the Jharokha-e-Taj to watch the colors play in the sky with the Taj in the backdrop …absolutely breathtaking.
Namaste Symbol of ITC Hotels
Namaste at ITC Hotels is not only a heartfelt welcome, it is inspired by our ancient scripture ‘AtithiDevoBhava’ which prescribes the dynamics of the host and guest relationship. Namaste acknowledges the honor in being a host and to look after guests in the most responsible manner without compromising the high standards the guest has come to expect. It is a call from within that keeps the Indian Values alive, pure and timeless.
