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

MUMBAI, December 3 /PRNewswire/ -- 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: http://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 http://www.lhw.com and http://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 http://www.lhw.com and http://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 http://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 [e-mail], [phone]

For further information contact Tarini Mathur, Vaishnavi Corporate Communications at [e-mail], [phone]