The Taj Mahal hotel, in what was then known as Bombay, was built by Indian industrialist Tata in a stand against the colonialism and snobbery that had once seen him denied entrance to one of the better known British-Bombay hotels. Which is why, unlike other legendary Asia hotels it isn't built in colonial style. When it opened its door in 1903 visitors were greeted by a feast of Indian, Moorish and Florentine influences with mosaics, vaulted alabaster ceiling and gilded colonnades everywhere. The victim of a terrorist bomb blast in December 2008 it has since re-opened its doors.