The Taj West End Hotel
Welcome to Heritage and History. Next to the Golf Club and across from the Turf Club track stands The Taj West End, a lush, 20-acre garden in the middle of Bangalore, a bustling city. Noted as a Leading Hotel of the World, The Taj West End is a sanctuary for today’s discerning business traveler and offers up an array of cutting edge business technology, including Telepresence (high-definition global video conferencing) and a 24-hour Business Centre.
For the leisure seeker, there is plenty to do. Sip drinks under a 125-years old Banyan tree. Laze in the sun. Linger over high tea and let us demonstrate that even though the old days certainly had plenty going for them, the present is even better.
Once Upon a Time
In the mid 1800s, Bangalore was a leafy army base. However, after the Suez canal opened in 1869, more people were coming to Bangalore and the need for lodges was growing. Charming retired English ladies stepped up to fill the need and boarding houses began popping up all over the city.
Beginnings
In 1887 Mrs. Bronson opened a boarding house with ten beds. Bronson’s West End, as it came to be known was very successful and eventually took over a second building that belonged to the Secretary of the Race Club and then third building which belonged to the Grenadier Guards, an elite regiment that was stationed in Bangalore at the time. Today’s visitors can still see the regiment’s faded firecracker emblem on the side of the building.
By 1912, the success of Bronson’s West End had made it an attractive investment for the Spencer empire. The Spencers first found success as wine merchants and then expanded into department stores and hotels as they built their business catering to the need of the English upper classes trying to adjust to life in India.
Under the Spencers’ care, the West End truly came into its country club atmosphere. A large dining room and billiards room was added along with a stable, racquet courts, croquet and nearby golf course. Some of the inherently charming features of the architecture were the tiled roofs, distinctive gables, dormers, monkey-tops, trelliswork and intricately carved fascias.
The Staff
The West End staff was just as colourful as the hotel’s notable clientele. Iris Clark, who worked at the hotel long after her official retirement, started in 1957. She recalls working under the fabled Mr. Louis who ran such a tight ship that he knew exactly how many teaspoons he should be getting from a pound of sugar. The Goan cooks created their own brand of fame with their revered Roast Duck, Noisette of Lamb and Orange Soufflé served in orange baskets. People would just show up for Sunday Dinner begging for Roast Duck.
The Trees
Other traditions of the West End are not man made, but natural. Some of the most valuable heritage tress in the city can be found on the hotel property. The massive rain tree on the south side of the property, an ancient Peepal tree, a Cluster Fig tree and Sheesham and Jamun trees are stately long-term residences of West End. Four grand 150-year-old Cycads guard the hotel entrance and stunning Ficus elastica (rubber tree) can be found adjacent to the fitness centre. So pervasive is the influence of the surrounding flora that all the residential blocks have been named after flowers. Guests can stay in the Gardenia, Magnolia, Frangipani and Lotus blocks, just to name a few.
By 1984, (no time at all as far as the Cycad trees were concerned) the Spencers called upon the Taj Hotels Resort and Palaces with its legacy of hospitality to carry on the old world charm of the luxurious West End, while bringing fresh life and modern ideas of hospitality to Bangalore’s most beloved country club.
Famous Guests and Regular Visitors
West End VIPs have included the vivacious and beautiful Devika Rani, the First Lady of the Indian Screen who held the film world in thrall for two decades, and her venerated Russian husband Roerich. Many members of Indian Royalty practically settled into the West End Hotel – The Jagirdar of Arni stayed at the West End for 36 years and the Raja of Chettinad was a regular in Room No.50.
Sir Winston Churchill often dined in our hotel as a cigar-smoking war journalist; and later went on to become the Prime minister of Britain and a Statesman that the world admired and revered. Later, Prince Charles enjoyed our famed hospitality during his trip to India in 1961. Ronald Ross, who discovered the cure for malaria, first generated his thoughts on mosquitoes as carriers of the disease while camping on the grounds of the The Taj West End. He later went on to win the Noble Prize in Medicine & Physiology.
Princess Margaret’s husband, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, the first Earl of Snowdon, stayed here. And the real life Tarzan really did swing from tree to tree. Dame Peggy Ashcroft stayed at the West End during the filming of David Lean’s Passage to India. Rex Harrison of “My Fair Lady” fame also stayed at West End during the filming of Shalimar. Rock and rollers Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith have also brought their brand of glamour to Taj West End.
Picture Gallery
