India's Presidential Palaces: New Delhi and Mumbai

When an American president visits India, two hotels come to the fore. One is a fortress of hospitality in New Delhi's diplomatic enclave; the other is a century-old icon on Mumbai's waterfront whose story is woven into the city's own.

ITC Maurya

Few hotels anywhere can match ITC Maurya's presidential record. Bill Clinton stayed here in 2000, followed by George W. Bush and by Barack Obama, who visited twice as president. Donald Trump stayed in 2020, and Joe Biden made it his base for the G20 summit in September 2023. Its location close to the U.S. Embassy and the diplomatic enclave, along with its security credentials, has made it the Secret Service's hotel of choice in the capital.

Presidents stay in the Chanakya Grand Presidential Suite, a 4,800-square-foot residence on the fourteenth floor with silk-paneled walls, its own study, dining room, and gym, and a private high-speed elevator. The hotel's design draws on Buddhist stupas, and its domed lobby is one of New Delhi's most striking interiors.

Dinner at Bukhara is essential. The legendary restaurant, where guests eat its famous tandoori dishes and dal with their hands, has served presidential parties for decades, and the hotel has created signature platters in honor of its presidential guests.

The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

Facing the Gateway of India across the waters of Mumbai Harbour, the Taj Mahal Palace has been the city's grandest address since 1903. In November 2010, it was President Barack Obama's first stop in India. He and Michelle Obama checked into the hotel, met survivors of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and paid tribute to the victims, including hotel staff and guests, before spending the night there.

In remarks at the hotel, Obama called the Taj a symbol of the strength and resilience of the Indian people, and his decision to stay was widely read as a statement of solidarity with a city that had refused to be cowed.

Today the Taj is as magnificent as ever. Its Heritage Wing, crowned by the famous red dome, holds a grand cantilevered staircase and corridors lined with art, and the sea-facing rooms look out over the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India.

Plan your stay: Explore more hotels in New Delhi and Mumbai

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About this guide: Presidential connections are drawn from public sources, including official White House schedules, presidential and historical archives, and reputable news outlets, as well as the hotels' own published histories. Hotel names, ownership, and amenities may have changed since publication. This information is provided for general interest, is not guaranteed, and should be independently verified. Hotelaholic is not affiliated with or endorsed by any U.S. president or government agency.