Taj Swarna

Around here we prize memorable hotel experiences above all else. Sometimes that means surprises, stylistic innovations, or audacious experiments. And other times, that means traditional hospitality practiced at the highest level — nothing revolutionary, just excellence. The latter category is what earns the Taj hotels their reputation, and the 2017-vintage Taj Swarna is a prime example. Here in the Punjabi city of Amritsar, any daring architectural statement has no less than the monumental Golden Temple to contend with. So the Taj opts for a certain stately warmth, and a contemporary look that pays tribute to India’s traditions even as it keeps one foot firmly in the present.

The rooms and suites look out through floor-to-ceiling windows, and while the style is certainly pleasing to the eye, there are inducements for the other senses as well, from Ploh bathrobes to Forest Essentials bath products. Three restaurants cover a wide variety of cuisines, from comfortable international fare to traditional Amritsar cooking to the Chinese Room, with both Sichuan and Cantonese options. The Jiva spa, meanwhile, continues the theme of indulgence, featuring everything from traditional beauty treatments to five-hour Ayurveda-informed therapies. Taj Swarna may not revolutionize your idea of what a hotel can do, but it’s a fine reminder of how easy life in a hotel can be.