The Agra Sheraton Mughul

The number and quality of hotels in Agra has improved considerably since I last visited in 1999. The Agra Sheraton Mughul is an excellent example of the moderately priced and beautifully designed mid-range hotels that now can be found here. The Sheraton Mughul incorporates a modern design and amenities with traditional regional architectural principles. The result is a modern hotel that contains the trappings and feel of a bygone age. The entrance to the hotel is gained through a long walkway that is suspended over a Mughul-style water garden. The photo to the left shows the uniformed bell captain that one encounters at nearly every Indian hotel, while the photo to the right offers a glimpse of the walkway and water garden. A beautiful setting!






In contrast to hotels in large population centers such as the Park in Delhi, the Sheraton boasted a lot more space, both in terms of common space and room space. The photo to the left shows the lobby area as it opens up beyond the check-in desk. It features a large central sitting area with a huge chandelier (photo to the left). The main dining room, shown in the photo to the right is actually one level below the lobby, and featured a vegetarian buffet.









The rooms at the Sheraton are accessed via a series of connecting walkways from the main lobby. And they are impressive. The photo to the left shows one of the rooms. In addition to the king-sized bed, another interesting feature is the large sitting area shown to the right of the photo; this cushioned sitting area is next to a large window, framed with the requisite heavy drapes. The room itself is bright, with a profusion of pillows and rugs on the marble floors. The bathroom, shown in the photo to the right, features wooden basin and cabinetry, set off by black marble floors. The room has feel of a miniature Mughul pleasure palace. All this and CNN!





The exterior of the Agra Sheraton Mughul features a series of gardens that follow the design of the water garden at the front entrance. The side and rear gardens resemble the traditional Mughul Aram Bagh, or pleasure gardens. The photo to the right shows the pool area, located below the walkways connecting the entrance/lobby area to the rooms. It features a  main pool and a whirlpool as well. The deck area provides ample room for sunbathers, although that would be a chilly pursuit when we traveled there in February.

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