The Tata Presidential Suite at the Taj Pierre
Got $20,000 to spare? You can live like a Mughal emperor in New York’s own Taj Mahal – the iconic Pierre Hotel in New York.
It’s always nice to see the Indian tricolor flag flying outside the landmark Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue, which was acquired by the Taj Hotels of the Tata Group in 2005. Now known as the Taj Pierre Hotel, the hotel underwent a multimillion dollar transformation recently and is the very visible US flagship of Taj Hotels, a stone’s throw from Central Park.
The Grand Suites bring a touch of India into the interiors with luxurious silks and brocades, as well as contemporary touches such as Murano glass chandeliers and the latest technology in home theaters and audio. The jewel tones and decorative motifs of India are intertwined with Western furnishings and contemporary artwork has been selected by fine arts consultant Mortimer Chatterjee to showcase noted and emerging Indian artists.
The Rajput Suite will make any royal feel at home because as the press notes describe it, “This 1351 square foot two bedroom palace is designed for a connoisseur of India’s artistic traditions. Its interiors are warmed with royal ruby and gold tones and artwork depicting Rajasthani architectural details throughout its two bedrooms, living room and pantry.”
Another atmospheric suite is the Hutton Suite named for the industrialist Edward F. Hutton, who partnered with Charles Pierre to finance and open the hotel in 1930. The heiress Barbara Hutton, E. F. Hutton’s niece, leased the suite for five decades as her New York pied á terre.
Indeed, the stories behind these suites are fascinating but none is as gilt edged as the main attraction – the top-of-the-line Tata Presidential Suite, with its sumptuous furnishings, space and hi-tech luxuries. This suite is 2,088 sq feet, encompasses a living room, dining room, a master bedroom, a guest bedroom and two sybaritic baths. It is suitable for real czars or money czars, offering sheer luxury in its cache of rooms overlooking Central Park.
One night’s stay at the fabulous Tata Presidential Suite can set you back $20,000. Yes, the Nano it isn’t!
