<P> Part of the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, this hotel is considered the flagship property of the group and contains 560 rooms and 44 suites . There are some 1,500 staff including 35 butlers . From a historical and architectural point of view, the two buildings that make up the hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace, and the Tower are two distinct buildings, built at different times and in different architectural designs . In 2017, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel has acquired an image trademark . It is the first building in the country to get intellectual property rights protection for its architectural design </P> <P> The hotel has hosted many notable guests, from presidents to captains of industry and stars of show business . </P> <P> The hotel's original building was commissioned by Tata and first opened its doors to guests on 16 December 1903 . </P> <P> It is widely believed that Jamsetji Tata decided to build the hotel after he was refused entry to one of the city's grand hotels of the time, Watson's Hotel, as it was restricted to "whites only". However, this story has been challenged by some commentators that suggest that Tata was unlikely to have been concerned with' revenge' against his British adversaries . Instead, they suggest that the Taj was built at the urging of editor of The Times of India who felt a hotel "worthy of Bombay" was needed . </P>

When was the taj hotel in mumbai built