ITC MUGHAL in Agra - Hotel Review with Photos

India › Agra Hotels › ITC Mughal Review
Updated: March 15, 2022

Essentials
• Location: Off Fatehabad Road.
• Hotel website: itchotels.in
• Hotel phone: +91 (0)562 402 1700
• Check prices for ITC Mughal

The ITC Mughal hotel in Agra offers fantastic facilities for families.

ITC Mughal – Iconic, vast, and luxurious, with an award-winning Mughal-inspired design.

Ignore the remarkably unattractive square and red-brick layout, and delve into this majestic hotel. It exudes an old-fashioned grace with endless reminders of the Mughal Empire, and is packed with facilities rarely found elsewhere, such as landscaped gardens and a resort-style pool. Catering very well for families – also a rarity – the ITC offers a tennis/basketball court, playground, and maze of hedges. Marble floor bridges with names link the lobby with the rooms – which are all suitably stylish and spacious – and suites, which also feature a Turkish-style ground-level sofas. Set back from the maniacal traffic outside, the general area is not that pleasant, but it’s only a short ride by auto-rickshaw from the Taj Mahal.

ITC Mughal – The Location

Address: Fatehabad Road, the main thoroughfare through downtown. The main building is 200m back from the road, and the rooms are even more distant.
Area: Really fascinating or absolutely chaotic, depending on your point of view. Abundant shops, cafés, and money-changers in the general area, but the incessant traffic is diabolical.
How to Get There: About 2 km from the Taj Mahal; 6 km from the Agra Cantonment Railway Station, which has most services to/from Delhi and Jaipur; and 12 km from the new airport. All are accessible by taxi or auto-rickshaw.

ITC Mughal – The Basics

Guests: A rare hotel that openly encourages and caters for families, but most guests are on upmarket tours that include 1-2 nights in a majestic hotel as part of the ‘Taj Mahal experience’.
Views: Almost all rooms overlook the gardens and lawns, while a few also face the pool.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The Grand Presidential Suites feature temperature-controlled plunge pools.
 Extras: Newspaper delivered daily to each room.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +91 (0)562 402 1700
Email: reservations@itchotels.in
Website: itchotels.in

ITC Mughal – Amenities

Pool: 2 pools. The main one is surrounded by the inescapable ugly red-brick walls, but offers a deck and shade. The pool for those staying at the suites is better and more reminiscent of a tropical resort.
Spa: Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa is as magnificent as expected. With over 40 types of treatments, it claims to be the largest in India.
Fitness Center: Huge and very well-equipped. In a tranquil part of the extensive hotel grounds, it’s open 24 hours.
For Families: No kids club, but plenty of fun for children of all ages, including a games room with snooker and ping pong, and a maze of hedges. But note: approach the playground with a member of the staff armed with a big stick because some of the vicious monkeys do not share!
Activities: Badminton court. Tennis/basketball court. Track for all-terrain vehicles. Putting green. Tandem cycling. Jogging track. Croquet pitch.
Other Facilities: Travel Desk. Shopping arcade. Library. Business Center. Laundry.

ITC Mughal – Food and Drink

Restaurants: Peshawri – Very atmospheric, with plush stools and open-plan kitchen. Famous for kebabs traditionally cooked in special tandoor ovens, and all meals served on signature plates. • Mughal Pavilion – Buffets of Indian and European cuisine. Courtyard views and exquisite Mughal-inspired décor. • Taj Bano – Tasteful setting with garden views. Focuses on Indian and Chinese cuisine.
Bars: Maikhana – Sophisticated lounge bar at the lobby for signature cocktails and imported spirits. Snacks also available. • Bagh-e-Bahar – Overlooks the Mughal-inspired gardens. Renowned for its wine list, tasty finger food, and live music.
Breakfast: Included if staying in the suites; otherwise, an extra cost.
Room Service: Available 24/7.

ITC Mughal – Rooms

Room Types: Mughal Rooms • Mughal Chambers • Royal Mughal Suites • Presidential Suites • Grand Presidential Suites • EVA Rooms designed for female travelers • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: No smoking allowed in the rooms or restaurants/bars.
Best Room: The Grand Presidential Suites are as opulent as imagined. Six times larger than the standard rooms, with a décor and layout fit for a king and queen.
For Families: All types of rooms can accommodate 3 people easily, while the Presidential Suites can fit in 4. Best to ask management for advice when booking.

ITC Mughal – Local Transport

Walking: The road in front of the hotel is not that pleasant for walking: noisy, crowded, and potholed. A few cafés and shops are in the immediate vicinity; otherwise, take an auto-rickshaw wherever possible.
Public Transport: Nothing of any use to tourists.
Taxis & Auto-rickshaws: Taxis (unmetered) are hard to find because they’re rarely needed in this area. If required, arrange through the hotel reception, or book an Ola cab. A few cycle-rickshaws and automated versions can be found along the road outside.

ITC Mughal – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

Pinch of Spice +91 (0)562 404 5252 – More alluring than the outside might suggest. Renowned for kebabs and local cuisine. Virtually opposite the hotel.
Charcoal Chimney +91 (0)562 223 0503 – Friendly and spacious. Ideal for unsure foreigners wanting to try authentic Indian food. Almost next to Pinch of Spice.
TNC Lounge Agra – Cozy setting on a lower level and intimate alcoves on the rooftop. Signed as ‘Café Godfather’.
Subway – The inside is familiar but the menu may be less so, e.g. sandwiches with aloo (potato) or paneer (cottage cheese). Opposite TNC Lounge.
Tajview – About 500m away, this hotel offers several great options: Jhankar (stylish décor and live music/dance), Sky Deck (rooftop views and popular High Teas), and GAD (lively coffee shop).

Nearby Shops

On the edge of the most vibrant area in Agra with plenty of facilities along the road, but mostly set up for Indian (rather than foreign) tourists. This includes an oversupply of shops selling carpets and handicrafts.

Nearby Attractions

The Taj Mahal is certainly Agra’s, and possibly India’s, number one attraction. The hotel is equidistant from the ticket offices at the West Gate (2 km) and East Gate (2.5 km) by auto-rickshaw. Separate entries for men and women. Open from sunrise to sunset, but closed on Fridays.
Agra Fort – The grand Red Fort (Lal Qila) symbolizes power and resilience. Partly occupied by the Indian Army, tourists can still see multiple mosques, palaces, and other structures inside this vast monument located close to the city center. Open from 6 am to 6 pm on all days. (3.5 km).
Itimad-ud-Daula – Popularly thought of as the first draft of the Taj Mahal, and often known as “Baby Taj”. The tomb is the first marble structure built by the Mughals and features intricate lattice work. Open from sunrise to sunset. (7 km).
Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary – A haven for several species of birds and a must-visit for wildlife photographers. Apart from birds, it also houses pythons and Wildlife SOS, the largest bear rescue center in India, as well as the only elephant hospital in the country. (25 km).
Fatehpur Sikri – This majestic red sandstone fort is known for the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwani-i-Khas, and several other monuments on-site. Built in the 16th-century by Emperor Akbar to celebrate the birth of his son, Jahangir, in Sikri. Open daily from 6 am to 6 pm. Tickets can be bought online from various travel portals or at the fort entrance. (40 km).

ITC Mughal – The Hotel

The hotel is set back from the main road in downtown Agra.

One of Agra’s finest hotels, ITC Mughal is set back about 200m from a main road through downtown.

The hotel lobby is indicative of the opulence throughout the hotel.

The guest lounge at the lobby is very bright.

The guest lounge at the lobby is bright, if a little garish, and typical of the hotel décor.

The Mughal empire-inspired design is not that attractive.

The overall design – square and red-bricked – is inspired by the Mughal empire, but is quite unattractive.

The vast hotel grounds have several gardens, ponds, and fountains.

There is so much space all over the hotel grounds, with plenty of gardens, ponds, and fountains.

The hotel grounds even have a garden nursery.

There is even enough room within the hotel grounds for a garden nursery.

On the lawns large enough for a cricket pitch is a badminton court.

The grounds even have a maze of hedges for the family.

Unique among rivals in Agra and Delhi is the maze of hedges. There is so much for the family to see and do at the ITC.

Also unseen at any hotel in Agra or Delhi is a track for all-terrain vehicles.

There are several swinging chairs for guests to relax on.

While children enjoy the games room, gardens, and badminton court, parents might want to relax on a swinging chair.

The hotel boasts one of the largest playgrounds in northern India.

The extensive playground is among the largest in northern India, but take a member of the staff to scare away the vicious monkeys.

Guests can even enjoy the putting green.

There is even enough space for a putting green.

The pool deck has several lounge chairs.

There are plenty of lounge chairs on the deck surrounding the main hotel pool.

The second pool is more modern and inviting.

The second pool for guests in the suites is certainly more appealing than the main pool.

The large games room has several games on offer.

The extensive games room is within a separate building among the gardens.

One of several places to eat and drink at the ITC, the Mughal Pavilion specializes in buffets.

The Maikhana lounge bar at the lobby is very charming.

The Maikhana lounge bar at the lobby oozes charm and history.

The Peshawri restaurant features a luxury desert campsite-style decor.

On a lower level, the Peshawri restaurant features a décor reminiscent of a luxury desert campsite.

There is a large shopping arcade on-site.

Between the hotel gates and lobby is a substantial shopping arcade.

Corridors connect the main building to the various wings.

Corridors called ‘bridges’ and given individual names lead to several wings of rooms.

Most rooms overlook the extensive lawns and gardens.

Rooms are as exquisite as imagined, with a lovely décor that blends in so well with the overall theme throughout the hotel.

Rooms feature exquisite furniture and art.

The furniture and prints on the walls are endearing.

The marble bathrooms are equally appealing.

A standout feature are the marble bathrooms.

Full-length windows brighten up the rooms.

All rooms have full-length windows that let in plenty of light.

Suites feature Turkish-style sofas by the windows.

Particularly inviting are the suites, with ground-floor Turkish-style sofas alongside the windows.

The hotel neighborhood is not very pleasant.

The general area outside the hotel gates is not that pleasant and there’s little of interest within walking distance, so auto-rickshaws are needed.

Pinch of Spice café opposite the hotel serves good food.

The Pinch of Spice café, virtually opposite the hotel gates, is far more tempting than the outside might suggest.

TNC Lounge Agra close by has a pleasant rooftop setting.

About 250m northwest up the road, TNC Lounge Agra (signed as ‘Café Godfather’) features an inviting rooftop area.

Charcoal Chimney nearby is also a good cafe.

Another of the few cafés within walking distance of the hotel is Charcoal Chimney.

An outlet of Subway is also within walking distance.

Those tired of Indian food may want to try Subway, about 300m up the road.

The shops around the hotel mostly cater to Indian tourists.

The general area is packed with souvenir shops, mostly for Indian tourists.

Auto-rickshaws are a convenient mode of transport.

All sorts of transport options are available along the main road, and auto-rickshaws are everywhere.

The East Gate ticketing office is just 2km away.

The ticket office and East Gate to the Taj Mahal is about 2km from the hotel. Check rates and availability: ITC Mughal

ITC Mughal Hotel in Agra, India

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