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Sunrise Over the Taj: Our Stay at Agra’s Best Rooftop Hotel
- Jenn & Leon
- Nov 8, 2023
- 13 min read
Updated: Jul 21
With a history that stretches back over 50 years, Lucky Guesthouse is aptly named, as it is the only one of its kind that has a rooftop view.
It was built before planning rules came into effect stating that no building can be as tall as the great Taj.
It is one of the most affordable hotels in Agra, and is perfectly positioned with the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort within walking distance.
Not just lucky, this guesthouse is just a five-minute rickshaw ride away from the Taj Mahal itself.
It is located opposite a local police station, and also in the heart of a street market which has plenty of stores, restaurants, and amenities.
It is the perfect spot to stay if you are planning to visit the Taj, and is also very local, giving you a real taste of Indian culture.
Read on for our review of the Lucky Guesthouse, including the food, our room, how to find it, and booking details.
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Drama Along the Way...
After running the gauntlet of taxi hawkers outside Agra Cantt Train Station (see last post), we were grateful to finally see our ride pull up on the side of the road.
That being said, when we saw the size of the car, we knew we would have a bit of a problem! It was a standard hatchback, and so luggage was going to be a struggle.
However, ironically, we had encountered this issue when we left our hotel in Delhi, so we were ready to pack ourselves in like sardines again!
The biggest challenge with this taxi was that there was what looked like a gas tank in the trunk. So big that we could only fit one item in it, that being Jenn’s carry-on suitcase.
With none of us willing to wait any longer after all of the hassle we experienced already, in we went, with luggage piled so high on our laps we are amazed the driver even agreed.
By this point in our journey in India, we had already realized that conventional travel is just not the norm here.
Things are just different, standards are different, and expectations should be thrown right out the window!
Even though we could barely move in the car, we were just glad to be on our way. Or so we thought...
So, despite being charged for the full trip to our destination (120 rupees), the roads in and around Lucky Guesthouse just so happened to be closed for maintenance (not that we saw any).
With our driver unable to communicate much in English, we could not understand much of what was going on.
We gingerly made it out of the vehicle, at which point a rickshaw driver came up to us and explained the situation.
Rickshaws were thankfully being allowed through, and after his price went from 400 rupees to 100 rupees in a matter of seconds, we accepted his ride.
So off we went, all four of us in the rickshaw with our luggage again on our laps, for the final leg of what was a super long and draining travel day.
Our Lucky Guesthouse Review
⪢ The Perfect Agra hotel for the Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
Lucky Restaurant and Guesthouse is a solid budget accommodation option for tourists visiting the Taj Mahal and other historical sites in Agra.
The hotel offers a variety of clean and comfortable rooms with air conditioning, television, and private bathroom facilities.
As mentioned in the name, there is also a restaurant, offering several different dining options with a view of the Taj, alongside room service.
The rooftop view is spectacular, as you can imagine, although it is only a small space.
It is also caged, as there are monkeys in the nearby trees that can easily jump over.
The staircase leading up to it is nicely decorated, and in general, it felt very neat and clean.
A point of note is that the hotel building is actually across the road from the concierge and restaurant building (that also houses the rooftop view).
This was not made overtly clear when we booked, and was a tad confusing at first. Nonetheless, it was still a positive experience.
The service throughout our stay was very positive in general.
As with much of what we encountered in India, the staff here seemed ready and willing to go above and beyond, and were super friendly.
We cannot fault them.
⪢ The Location
As already mentioned, Lucky Guesthouse is only a short 5-minute rickshaw ride from the West Gate of the Taj Mahal. You can walk it in 20 minutes, too.
It is also just a 6-minute drive away from the Agra Fort.
The location in and around the hotel, sadly, leaves a lot to be desired, though.
The road outside was pretty chaotic, even with the cars missing due to the traffic restriction.
With so many rickshaws and scooters, it is hard to imagine cars on it anyway!
It was fairly tight, very dusty, dirty, and of course, accompanied by the constant sound of honking. 24/7 honking. Non-stop!
The area itself is very impoverished, and we saw lots of stray dogs, garbage, sewage, and even dead rats at almost every turn.
Several people were sleeping in doorways close to the hotel, too.
At first, it felt intimidating and overwhelming, although after we settled down in the hotel and had our first shower in 4 days, we felt much better (more on why that was here).
If you would like to see more of the surrounding area of the hotel, check out our walking tour video.
As you will see from the video, our initial reservations about the area were quickly put to rest in this short walk.
Sure, the area is very rundown and dirty, but once you look past that, you will find that people are super friendly and welcoming.
Within a few minutes, Leon felt super comfortable, even if his stomach (like Jenn's) was going hammer and tongs when this video was filmed.
⪢ The Cost
The cost per night here at the Lucky Restaurant and Guesthouse was just 27 Canadian Dollars (20 USD / 1600 Rupees).
This is a solid 3-star accommodation, and the price is excellent given its proximity to the Taj Mahal.
There are other popular spots in Agra too, and it is a great place to base from in our opinion, with access to rickshaws and taxis super easy (when the road is not closed).
From what we saw, the guesthouse offers some of the most affordable rates in Agra.
The Food at Lucky Restaurant
We only tried the Paneer Makhani and Special Thali from the menu, which we had delivered to our room.
Both meals were excellent, and we thoroughly enjoyed them!
Tasty and well-cooked, we cannot fault it.
We wish we could rave about the other options, too, but our happiness with the food was to be unfortunately short-lived.
Sadly, disaster struck in the evening, a few hours after we had eaten.
We were both struck down with severe stomach pains and the worst diarrhea either of us had ever experienced.
It was a gastro problem that knocked us both out for the rest of our time in India.
We were forced to cut our trip short as it affected us so badly.
So much so that what we ate here was pretty much the last full meal we ate in the country!
It is hard to pinpoint whether it was the food here or not, which did seem to be cooked well.
Jackson had already been sick prior, still yet to recover, so we suspect the problem may have originated in Delhi and manifested itself here.
Either way, it stopped us from enjoying the rooftop, Jenn from seeing the Taj, and all of us from exploring the surrounding area.
The need for a bathroom was chronic.
We want to stress that the food here was good and that gastro issues are fairly common for first-time travelers in India.
The obvious reason is poor food hygiene, although we did not see any evidence that this was the case here.
It is said that the heavy use of Indian spices is the main cause, as our stomachs are not used to them.
Either way, it was horrible, and we advise high caution where food (and water) is concerned.
Try to start small and work your way up to the more local dishes, be careful where you eat, and be sure to bring plenty of vitamins, Imodium, and packet foods if you can.
⪢ The Menu at Lucky Restaurant Agra
The options on the menu at Lucky Restaurant are a mixture of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, and Italian cuisine.
There are plenty of drinks to choose from, too.
The prices are very reasonable, and had we not gotten sick, we most certainly would have tried some of the other options!
⚠️ Please note that prices and options shown are at the time of writing and subject to change at any time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information.
The Room at Lucky Guesthouse
Our room was on the second floor of the hotel building, with a lovely open-top seating area just outside.
We booked the double bed couple room, and it was exactly as described online on booking.com.
The same can also be said of Jackson & Marjo's room.
For any hotel, the key things for us are good air conditioning, a comfortable bed, good internet, and for everything to be cleaned to an acceptable standard.
We are pleased to say that Lucky Guesthouse achieves all of these parameters to great effect, and we were very pleased with the room.
Our only critique would be a lack of extra pillows for the bed, but on to one hand, we can have no complaints at all.
There are several room options to choose from, as shown on the graphic below.
You can find all the contact information you need further down in this post, or tap here.
The rooms are nicely decorated and modern, although they are a tad small. The bathrooms are clean, and the hot water works well.
Some basics, such as shower gel, shampoo, tea, and coffee, are provided, and there is also a large TV. Storage space is a little limited but manageable.
The soundproofing is also okay, although we did still have to use our fan app to drown out the honking on the street, which never really stops!
India Travel Tip
⪢ Consider Taking a Tour
One of the most popular ways to explore India is by guided tour.
Skip the line for the Taj Mahal, tour cities like Mumbai and Delhi, or enjoy the wonderful sights in Udaipur and Jaipur.
Check out a host of different options with GetYourGuide.
No matter where your travels take you, GetYourGuide offers the best way to connect with your destination.
How to Get to Lucky Restaurant & Guesthouse, Agra
Lucky Restaurant & Guesthouse is conveniently located in Agra, offering easy access to the Taj Mahal and other local attractions.
By Taxi or Auto-Rickshaw
From Agra Cantt Railway Station, it’s about a 10-minute drive (approximately 3 km) to the guesthouse.
Auto-rickshaws and taxis are readily available outside the station; always negotiate or ensure the meter is used.
From Kheria Airport (Agra Airport), the guesthouse is roughly a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic.
By Local Transport
Local buses run throughout Agra, but they may be crowded and less convenient for tourists.
Auto-rickshaws are a popular and affordable choice for short distances around the city.
On Foot
If you’re staying nearby or visiting the Taj Mahal first, the guesthouse may be within walking distance, depending on your location.
⪢ Contact Information for Lucky Guesthouse
● Address: Chowk Thana, 3/8, Kinari Bazar, Kaserat Bazar, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India
● Email: beluckywithlucky@gmail.com
● Phone: +91 93596 69192
● Web:
● IG:
● FB:
⪢ Book Your Stay at Lucky Guesthouse
⪢ Not Convinced? Easily Find Hotels Nearby
Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, GetYourGuide, and Hotels.com.
Watch on YouTube: Walking the streets of AGRA? Our first time in India!
Is it safe to walk in the back areas as a foreigner in India?
What is it really like in India? We show you around Agra, Uttar Pradesh, in this walking tour travel vlog.
Watch to find out our experience walking solo in the surrounding area of our Hotel, Lucky Guest House in Agra, India.
We enjoy some epic Indian food thali and kadai chicken, yum! See our rooftop view of the Taj Mahal as well!
If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures, please like and subscribe!
Your support is truly invaluable to us, and we will always strive to produce the best content possible from around the world.
Our Experience Ratings:
Lucky Restaurant & Guesthouse
This was a tough one to rate, as the hotel itself is great.
We had no issues with it at all. Good internet, clean, excellent service, and good food.
What is not to like?
Especially for such an incredibly good price.
The downside is, honestly, the awful state of the surrounding area, which is not within the control of the guesthouse.
As was the case with our gastro issues, which we most likely picked up in Delhi.
We may not always remember our experience fondly for those reasons, but if we picture ourselves inside our room, or looking out to the Taj Mahal from the rooftop, we highly recommend Lucky Guesthouse!
Cleanliness
Absolutely no issues at all. Everything was very clean and sanitized, and the bathroom was in good order.
It was clear that every effort was made to help us feel comfortable, and we were really happy with it.
Cost & Value
What can we say for 27 USD per night?!
This hotel is fantastic value, and dare we say we could have easily paid 40 - 50 USD and still felt that it was worth it. It does not get much better than this.
Food & Drink
Despite all of our now well-documented issues, we cannot take anything away from the one meal we did enjoy here.
Both of them were super tasty, and the portions were also a great size for the cost.
There is so much to choose from, too, including vegetarian options.
We deeply regret not being able to try even more, and would love to hear from you if you do so yourself!
Location
This is our only issue with Lucky Guesthouse. The proximity to the major sights of Agra is, of course, fantastic, but even with that considered, the neighborhood is in such a state that it makes it hard to consider the location a positive.
There is so much happening outside, with stray dogs, open sewers, crazy traffic, rotting garbage, rodents, and homelessness.
It is very overwhelming, and even though this is no fault of the hotel, it is something that we cannot disregard.
The only slight bonus is that there is a police station almost directly opposite, which offers some comfort of security.
Even still, we would not recommend being out after dark here.
Service
The crowning glory of Lucky Guesthouse is the excellent service.
The staff went out of their way to accommodate us, especially when it came to our regular requests for toilet paper!
We went through a lot given our situation. They honestly tried so hard, and we were most impressed. We are sure you will be too!
FAQ – Taj Mahal Agra Rooftop Hotel
Which rooftop hotels in Agra offer views of the Taj Mahal?
Lucky Guesthouse is the only hotel offering a rooftop view, owing to its height and restrictions on building in the area.
How can I book a room with a Taj Mahal rooftop view?
The rooms at Lucky Guesthouse do not have a direct view. The rooftop view is located in the reception building opposite, which is also the location of the hotel restaurant.
Are hotels near the Taj Mahal expensive?
Prices vary widely depending on the hotel’s category, amenities, and view quality.
Some affordable options offer partial views, while luxury hotels provide full panoramic views.
What amenities do rooftop hotels near the Taj Mahal typically offer?
Common amenities include rooftop restaurants or bars, pools, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and guided tour assistance.
Is it safe to stay in hotels near the Taj Mahal?
Yes, reputable hotels maintain good safety and security standards, but always check recent reviews before booking.
Can I see the Taj Mahal at sunrise from the Lucky Guesthouse?
Yes, the hotel rooftop offers spectacular sunrise views of the Taj Mahal, which is a popular reason for booking these accommodations.
Are hotels noisy due to their location near the Taj Mahal?
Noise levels vary. Hotels on quieter streets tend to offer a more peaceful stay, but proximity to busy roads or tourist areas might mean some noise.
Do hotels provide guided tours or transportation to the Taj Mahal?
Many hotels offer tour packages, taxi services, or shuttle arrangements to the Taj Mahal and other local attractions.
How far is the Lucky Guesthouse from the Taj Mahal entrance?
Lucky Guesthouse is within walking distance from the Taj Mahal’s main entrance, around 25- 30 minutes. A rickshaw ride takes about 5 minutes.
Are there any special tips for choosing the best hotel near the Taj Mahal?
Look for verified guest photos, read recent reviews about the view and service, and confirm details when booking.
Up Next: The Taj Mahal
Despite the severe stomach problems, Leon still just about made it to see the world's most famous mausoleum.
Sadly, Jenn was unable to leave the hotel, being way worse, but the show had to go on!
So Leon went with Jackson and Marjo.
Unfortunately, the misfortune continued, with our 6 am plan for the famous Taj sunrise being laid to waste by rain clouds!
Luckily, the rain only kicked in as we were leaving. What do they say? With every cloud comes a silver lining?!
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