It was an exciting time with the family. We were all planning a trip to Agra. Finally, after days of throwing ideas at each other, Agra emerged as the unanimous winner. Also, since I had already been there, it was understood that I would plan the entire travel and stay itinerary. Now, this might seem easy, but to me it was a huge responsibility.
The last time I visited the city was with friends and stayed in a budget hotel near Sadar Bazaar. We all had a great time and truly enjoyed the market bustle and city hustle around us. But would I choose the same area to stay this time with my family? I could, for there are quite a good many budget family hotels there. But I decided it was time to look for a slightly more upscale or mid-range stay. After all, we had elders and kids with us. Besides, for a family trip that happens only once in a few years, why not be generous?
Finding the right place to stay in Agra
There were several areas where I could find hotels in Agra that were ideal for a family holiday. Taj Ganj is considered one of the best areas to stay in Agra. It is within walking distance of the East and South Gate of the Taj Mahal. Besides, it has a wide range of hotels to choose from, including luxury, budget and family stays. I also noted that the area had plenty of restaurants and is also one of the main shopping areas in the city.
On further research, I discovered that Rakabanj and Agra Cantonment were also good areas to stay in. Rakabanj is centrally located, and most of the city’s attractions are within short distances. However, it has a lesser range of hotels than Taj Ganj, but on the other hand, it is quieter. Similarly, the Agra Cantonment area is, in fact, an ideal area for travellers who are reaching the city by train. With the Agra Cantonment Railway Station, this area would work well for travellers who want to save travel time. But, since we were planning to spend a few days in Agra and were getting there by car, I decided to widen my search.
Which Agra area did I finally choose to stay in on my next visit?
After much more asking around and online searching, I finally zeroed in on the Fatehabad Road area. It is well-known for its luxury hotels, restaurants and shopping outlets. Also, it is only a few minutes away from the iconic Taj Mahal. We would hire a car to get around, but Fatehabad Road is very easily accessible by auto and other public transport too.
Fatehabad Road is considered one of the most popular areas to stay with families on a holiday. There are several luxury and upscale hotels here, such as the ITC Mughal, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra, Courtyard Agra, Radisson Hotel Agra, Trident, Agra and others. It would take some convincing for my family to agree to a large 5-star hotel budget, but why not give it a try? Besides, there are also mid-range hotels, such as Hotel Seven Hills Tower and The Taj Crown Hotel, Agra. It would be a fun experience to enjoy a comfortable stay that has premium amenities like a swimming pool, fitness centre, games room, spa and complimentary breakfast. Yes, it would be a wonderful holiday to stay near the landmark Taj Mahal, explore the city’s history, try out its lip-smacking local foods and shop endlessly for souvenirs and handicrafts. And at the same time, splash in the hotel pool, work out in the gym and get pampered during a body massage.
Family approvals and Agra hotel bookings
With hope, I proposed the Fatehabad Road area and listed the possible luxury hotels. Much to my surprise, there was no immediate disagreement. The budget apparently was not much of a problem as the family had been saving for it for a while. Fatehabad Road was now officially chosen as the area where we would choose to stay on our next and upcoming visit. I quickly confirmed with the hotel and made the bookings. And now we all await impatiently for the day to arrive when we load ourselves into our cars and drive off for a happy family holiday.