From January 2014, The Taj Group will re-launch St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London, while Taj’s existing London hotel, 51 Buckingham Gate Taj Suites and Residences will be renamed Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, Suites and Residences, following a phased renovation plan and introduction of enhanced luxury standards.

Over the past two years, both hotels have received significant investment and undergone extensive upgrades. Several rooms at St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel have been re-modelled and a streamlined design, clean lines and vibrant colours have been introduced. The remainder of the rooms continue to undergo refurbishment to offer a fresher, cleaner appearance, but with a ‘classic’ feel.

Given its celebrated past, St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel is now being repositioned as a contemporary hotel that celebrates its British heritage. It offers storied craftsmanship, service refinement with higher levels of customisation, as well as a distinctive and unique visual identity. Perfectly placed between Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London will have a contemporary, informal feel. With a distinguished pedigree shaped over more than a century, this discreet Victorian masterpiece with its famous Shakespearean Courtyard typifies the elegant yet concealed charm of one of Britain’s finest hotels.

Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, the marquee of the Taj Group in Europe, has also undergone refurbishments, including the addition of two signature suites. The world’s first Jaguar Suite opened at the hotel in 2011 and followed by the launch of the Cinema Suite; a 1,832 square foot, two-bedroom suite created by acclaimed Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, in 2012.

The program of hotel upgrades will continue into 2014, when Indian visitors to the UK can look forward to ‘home away from home’ luxury experiences with the Taj such as the India Guest Prgram, Kids@Taj program, access to the premier Golden Keys Concierge service and the Taj Inner Circle Awards. At both hotels, guests can also benefit from specially tailored treatments at the Wellness Centre and a host of on-site dining options, including Michelin-star cuisine at Quilon.

Commenting on the re-brand of the Taj London hotels, Yannick Poupon , COO- Luxury International Hotels said: “The success of 51 Buckingham Gate Taj Suites and Residences has provided Taj with the impetus to consolidate and expand its brand in the UK. This is in line with the company’s strategy to develop and consolidate strong brand presence in all of its key source markets. The move demonstrates our confidence in the buoyancy of the luxury hospitality market in the UK, in London as a tourism market and specifically the area around Victoria, which is undergoing significant investment, growth and development.”

In order to present these exciting changes to the Indian hospitality market, the Taj Group, in partnership with British Airways, hosted a road show at The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi on 15th of November 2013. A similar evening was hosted at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai on 14th November 2013.

Beyond being one of the most distinguished addresses in Delhi, The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi is a tribute to hospitality and service, complimenting the broad boulevards and leafy splendor of Delhi’s chief architect, Edwin Lutyens. An enviable gathering of our esteemed patrons were enthused to know more about the development of the Taj brand in UK, while being treated to an evening of ‘London chic’. The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi was delighted to host yet another internationally acclaimed performance as the surprise element of the evening as guests witnessed world-class entertainment by three British singers from ‘Incognito Artists’. This is an international portfolio of talented stars who have all had leading roles on Broadway, the West End or in the world of opera. The company has performed for the likes of Sir Elton John, Victoria and David Beckham, Nelson Mandela and HRH’s Prince William and Prince Charles. At the Taj road show, singer and dancer Emma Clifford was joined by Wayne Perry and Adrian Grove who between them have performed in musical theatre productions including Chicago, Starlight Express, Bombay Dreams as well as at the BBC proms.

Mr. Digvijay Singh, General Manager, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences and St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London, mentioned that, “India has always been a significant market for the UK. We are delighted to be here in India to showcase a flavour of what the magnificent city of London and our hotels can offer. I am here to invite each one of you to be our esteemed guests and enjoy the enhanced experiences our team has put together for you.”

Source : Swati Mehra