Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces Recognised yet Again by Leading Hotels of the World for 2009

MUMBAI, December 3 - Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces has been once again recognised
for its excellence and service for its properties - Taj Exotica Resort & Spa,
Maldives and Taj West End Bangalore - at the Leading Hotels of the World
Annual Convention held in Venice, Italy in November 2009. The high standards
of these hotels and their commitment to excellence has been identified post a
rigorous, anonymous inspection covering hundreds of meticulous criteria
spanning from product to behavioural standards.

(Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091203/369688 )

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives sets a new benchmark of
excellence, winning the eighth annual Commitment to Quality Award in the Asia
Pacific region and receiving the Grand Prize Winner award for displaying
outstanding levels of quality in all elements of a luxury hotel experience.

The Taj West End, Bangalore has been presented the Fourth
Annual Commitment to Excellence Awards, acknowledging hotels whose concept of
service and makes an exceptional effort towards community development and
extending beyond service, to areas of the environment, community outreach and
cultural support.

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Maldives seamlessly extends the
magic of the island's blessed natural beauty in its design even as it offers
the finest contemporary luxuries and services. This award winning resort
scored an overall average of 95.6%, the highest rating within the Leading
Quality Assurance audit. The property has exceeded expectations over and
above the 450 + members within the group and was recognised as a Grand Prize
Winner. Situated in the middle of one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives,
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives is an intimate and romantic island resort
lush with tropical plants and encircled with clear blue waters. The resort
has implemented a range of initiatives to substantially reduce its carbon
foot print and has the distinction of being Maldives first Green Globe
Certified resort. Over the last year, the resort has introduced numerous
culinary offerings and revitalised accommodation with private pools being
added to all of the Deluxe Lagoon Villas. The piece de resistance is the Jiva
Grande Spa - a private island sanctuary offering a range of Indian wellness
signature treatments and rituals.

Taj West End, Bangalore has welcomed guests for over a century
and is more a legend than a hotel. Nestled in the midst of 20 acres of
magnificent gardens, it is an experience of luxury in refined style and warm
relaxed comfort. Going beyond its purview of hospitality, the hotel has
engaged in community development keeping in line with the existing Taj
corporate policy. The policy lays emphasis on creating sustainable
livelihoods and building community through social outreach programs in
Health, Education, Empowerment of Women & Youth, and Employee Volunteering.
The main causes include reducing malnutrition, promoting indigenous artisans
and craftsmen and increasing employability by sharing of Taj's core
competencies. Taj Hotels encourage disability recruitment and empowerment of
candidates from vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds. These can be measured
in terms of their having more lasting benefits, of building a sustainable
environment by reducing the impact of daily operations on the environment, by
improving operational efficiencies, resource conservation & usage of
renewable resources.

The Taj West End, Bangalore has also received top honors in
the prestigious "Conde Nast Readers Travel Awards 2009" by being listed
amongst the top 10 overseas Business hotels in World.

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is the prestigious
luxury hospitality organization representing more than 450 of the world's
finest hotels, resorts and spas, and is the operator of www.lhw.com
and www.lhwspas.com. As the largest international luxury hotel brand,
the firm maintains offices in more than 22 major markets across the globe.

About The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd

The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. is the prestigious
luxury hospitality organization representing more than 450 of the world's
finest hotels, resorts and spas, and is the operator of www.lhw.com
and www.lhwspas.com - the online sources for your luxury lifestyle.
As the largest international luxury hotel brand, the firm maintains offices
in 22 major markets across the globe. Since 1928, the company's reputation
for excellence derives from the exacting levels of quality it demands of its
members, each of which must pass a rigorous, anonymous inspection covering
hundreds of meticulous criteria spanning from product to behavioral
standards. This set of standards is the most stringent in the industry. For
reservations and information, visit www.lhw.com.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of
Asia's largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 66 hotels in 45
locations across India with an additional 15 international hotels in the
Maldives, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the
Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic
beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an
unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern
luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, completed the centenary of
its landmark hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels
Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India's premier business
house.

For further information contact Tarini Mathur, Vaishnavi Corporate
Communications at tarini.mathur@vccpl.com, +91-22-6656-8787

Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091203/369688

For further information contact Tarini Mathur, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications at tarini.mathur at vccpl.com, +91-22-6656-8787