Where to stay in Agra, India (Taj Mahal)

Christy (input from Jordan)
Jan 3, 2019
3 min read

Our 3 week trip to India was a dream come true for us last year. Jordan’s company sent us to New Delhi and Bangaolore. They also allowed him to take several extra days for vacation, so we visited Agra to see the Taj Mahal. The company paid for our stay in lovely 5 Star luxury hotels (which was amazing for budget travelers!), but we were on our own for Agra.

Doing some research on hotels, we found there are some very nice places, and some not-so-nice places to stay in Agra. Knowing we were on a much smaller budget for Agra, we were a bit concerned about safety and comfort. When we discovered the Courtyard Marriott Agra – a 5 Star hotel for around $50 USD per night, with great reviews - we knew we had found our place. We expected it to be pretty nice, but they blew us away.

The day we arrived, our travel plans had changed last minute due to the train schedule. Without being able to call ahead, we arrived early in the morning. We hoped they would allow us store our bags until our rooms were ready. Our early arrival was no issue whatsoever. They didn't hesitate to greet us with cool drinks, and encouraged us to sit and relax while they checked us in. They moved us into available rooms right away.

The room was spacious, clean and comfortable. The bed was so soft, and the air conditioning was perfect. It was so hot in Agra, we joked about going back to our comfy rooms and taking a nap every day! We had an Executive Suite. I highly recommend it. It was so nice to have the space to relax on the couch and order room service after a long day of exploring.

Every single person on the staff went out of their way to make us feel like our every request was their pleasure to fulfill - that is, if we even had to chance to ask - they seemed to anticipate every need. The service easily compared to the high-end hotels we stayed in later in the trip (on Jordan’s company’s dime 😉) – for a fraction of the cost. Being a smaller hotel than the others, the service was much more personalized. I know I sound like I’m gushing, but this was a really great staff. Everyone from security, to housekeeping, to the front desk staff, and wait staff couldn't have treated us better. Some of the best service I've ever received.

We spent most of our days exploring Agra, but we did come back to the hotel during the hottest part of the day. Our rooms were so nice, we spent much of our time there, but we did enjoy the lounge as well. It was so comfortable with a great view of the pool. The pool was beautiful, especially at night. The wait staff is on hand and happy to bring orders right to your little over water-cabana, but we felt no pressure to order. Relaxing in the pool was a nice break during the warmest part of the day. If you’re hungry, the hotel features a restaurant and cake/coffee shop on-sight and offers room service.

We were especially spoiled by the restaurant staff. The Chef and servers actually knew us by name after the first day. Each breakfast, they brought us numerous Indian dishes to try. It was so thoughtful, Chef Naveen carefully toned them down for our "sensitive" Western palates. I couldn’t believe how they learned our likes and dislikes immediately! I have to say, the breakfast cannot be missed. We had had such a great experience each breakfast, that we wanted to return for lunch and dinner when we had the opportunity. Our servers even wrote down the names of the Indian foods that we enjoyed, so we could have them later in the trip. Although we received wonderful service from all staff throughout our stay, I think these guys stand far and above. I would venture to say, it may have been the best service we have found anywhere.

If you are traveling to Agra, don’t hesitate, book a room and enjoy a meal at the MoMo Cafe - trust me, you will be so glad you did! A tip: Ask for a view of the pool or courtyard. Because we arrived early, we were given a room with a view of the parking lot. They did offer to move us later in the day, but we declined because Jordan was already 100% unpacked!

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/agrcy-courtyard-agra/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2