Ekaa Villa Agra
Ekaa Villa was born out of the desire to showcase Agra like never before. Every aspect of the hotel is adapted from the city of the Taj – from the rooms where you will find hints of delicate inlay work, to the kitchen that serves food inspired by the homes of Agra. Ekaa Villa is all about the city it inhabits. Agra is much more beyond the Taj, allow a stay at Ekaa to enlighten you about the real city that surrounds the most romantic monument in the world.
Ekaa Villa & Kitchen, Opposite Courtyard by Marriott, Taj Nagri Phase 2, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Showing you an Agra beyond the Taj is the raison d’être of Ekaa. By means of the specially curated experiences, you can see a unique and never before seen side of the city. From experiencing the Taj from a unique point of view to visiting a local home to savour home-cooked cuisine or visiting the workshops of the local craftspeople to see how they create their masterpieces to a street food safari into the old town, Ekaa has it all covered.
Ekaa is designed and made for you to experience Agra. An ode to the city, the four pillars that form the foundation of Ekaa are the food, handicrafts, architecture and history of Agra. Everything is adapted from the Taj – from dining to the experiences they offer, both on and off the property. The only hotel in Agra that showcases modern, contemporary living inspired by the folklore and legends of ancient India. Of Indians rediscovering their past through yoga, music, local bazaar, lost recipes made from local produce, you will find it all here. Start your day with a traditional breakfast and follow it up with Ekaa experiences created keeping your needs in mind.
- Every aspect is adapted from the city of the Taj
- A city made with love, shown with love
- Ekaa is defined by ancient Indian scriptures which state that all human beings are the same
- Make every meal count when you’re in the city of the Taj Mahal
- Experience the frenzy of the local trade scene as buyers from all over the city jostle for the best and freshest batch of betel leaves
Categorized into Grand King, King and Queen, the rooms and the interiors are our interpretation of the architecture and the handicraft of the city. Everything has been planned keeping the old architecture of the city in mind. You will find elements of the Taj, Agra Fort, traces of the mehraab or the hatchling patterns, colours of the inlay work with a modern interpretation. Ekaa is bringing the city into the hotel just for you. Each one of the 13 rooms has an individual personality themed around a colour with elements of the traditional styles thrown in.
Curating local recipes and presenting them with a modern and contemporary take has been the mission from the start. Special care has been taken to ensure that only locally sourced, fresh ingredients are used in the kitchen to give you the best taste of the traditional cuisine. Working with the philosophy of farm-to-table, fresh produce is sourced from farmers around the city. From milk to vegetables, everything comes from within a radius of 50km, ensuring great flavours packed with maximum nutrition and zero shelf time. Start your day with a shot of Elixir of Life, a secret seasonal concoction served by Udit’s mother in their home and now at the Ekaa Kitchen.
Sit down for a breakfast of local delicacies of Aloo-bedawain (deep fried unleavened bread stuffed with a special spice mix served with spicy potato curry, a hot favourite when it comes to breakfast), chini parathas (pan fried unleavened bread stuffed with sugar, a childhood favourite that all Agra kids grew up eating) and let the home chefs take over. Choose from a drink made of delicate jasmine flowers or a cold and creamy sweet lassi or buttermilk flavoured with dried and fermented rose petals. Some of the finest sweets and seasonal drinks have been sourced for you, from local favourites.
“The menu has been curated from our own childhood memories and after long discussions with our aunts, grandmothers, neighbours and local foodies.” – Ekaa Hotels
A walking tour through the narrow by-lanes of a local village that lead you to a secret spot with the best view of the Taj Mahal, but minus the crowd. Savour the moment and the unmatched visual as the team spreads a picnic of chai and local delicacies perched above the banks of Yamuna just for you. Bicycles can be arranged if you don’t want to walk all the way.
For nature lovers there is a day trip to the Chambal River where you are taken on a cruise to spot the river dolphins. This is followed by a personalised tour of the Wildlife SOS to closely observe rescued animals from all over the region. From shy sloth bears to mystical leopards, you get to see them all here and also help in the development of the fund.
History buffs can spend a day exploring the architecture and stories of Sikandra, the tomb of Emperor Akbar and Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful city built by him. The travel team of locals can also help in planning a combination of all depending on your preference and time you are spending at Ekaa.