The hotel business was started by the group founder Jamsetji Tata.  Legend has it that Jamsetji set his mind on building it after being denied entry into one of the city's hotels for being an Indian. His sons, friends and business associates were sceptical. His sisters chided him by asking, "Are you really going to build an eating house?" The Taj turned out to be fancier than that. By the time of its completion in 1903, the hotel had cost GBP 250,000.  It was the first building in Bombay to use electricity and the first hotel in the country to have American fans, German elevators, Turkish baths, English butlers and whole lot of other innovative delights. The Times, London declared it the finest hotel in the East.

For over 100 years, the Taj Group has continued the tradition of offering legendary experience in hospitality. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces comprises 57 hotels in 40 locations across India with an additional 18 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa, and the Middle East.  Taj has won international acclaim for its quality hotels and its excellence in dining, business facilities, interiors, and world-class, personalized service. Taj Group is well known as a premier hospitality provider across the country.