Grand Mercure Agra: A Modern Hotel Next to the Taj Mahal

The highlight of our trip to India is finally here - the Taj Mahal! To make it convenient for an early visit the next day, our tour group arranged for us to stay at the nearby chain hotel, Grand Mercure, which is just a ten-minute drive away. Grand Mercure Agra features modern decor. Having stayed at the Grand Mercure in Odori Park, Sapporo, I found the design to be simple, bright, and stylish, quite different from the Indian-style hotels we stayed at earlier. It felt familiar and comfortable, though the downside was the weak Wi-Fi. The standard twin room we stayed in was 35 square meters, with modern standard decor. However, the carpet had a very Indian feel, being vibrant and flashy. It might be the off-season, as there was a significant discount. The regular price is nearly 6,000 TWD, but now it's on special for just 1,500 TWD, including breakfast! The hotel is very close to the Taj Mahal, and you can even see the Arabic-style dome of the Taj Mahal from the rooftop. With facilities like an outdoor pool, gym, and game room, it's a great value-for-money hotel.