The Oberoi Group’s two hotels in Mumbai – ‘Trident, Nariman Point’ and ‘The Oberoi Mumbai’ were among the ten locations in the city targeted in the terrorist attacks.  Prithvi Raj Singh (Biki) Oberoi, the 79-year old Chairman of The Oberoi Group, was driving back to The Oberoi, Mumbai, where he has a suite on the 21st floor, when the terrorists attacked the inter-connected Trident and Oberoi hotels. A senior executive alerted him about the situation and urged him to return to north Mumbai, where he remained for the next three days, helplessly watching the images of his hotel on fire, and the plight of guests, visitors and his staff members. The terrorists left 32 dead (4 resident guests, 18 visitors dining in the restaurants, and 10 staff member) at the hotel.

The two terrorists entered through the main entrance of Trident, Nariman Point and began firing indiscriminately at guests and staff in the lobby, the bar and back of the house area. They ran through the connecting corridor to The Oberoi, Mumbai (‘Trident, Nariman Point’ and ‘The Oberoi, Mumbai’, both belong to The Oberoi Group and are adjacent to each other and connected by a corridor) and opened fire at guests enjoying their evening meal at Tiffin, a popular, informal, contemporary restaurant, at The Oberoi, Mumbai. Many of the casualties occurred here. The Kandahar restaurant on the floor above was targeted next.

The staff, who go through regular fire drills, and are familiar with all the exits, were able to guide 200 guests to safety - they did not panic and remained calm – and even put the evacuated guests and visitors in taxis! Remaining guests were instructed to stay in their rooms. The terrorists set many fires on different floors, but the hotel’s effective sprinkler system doused them. The commandos took control of the situation early the following morning – on November 27 - and secured the Trident, Nariman Point the same day, and Oberoi, Mumbai, which took the brunt of the attack, the following day, killing the two terrorists. The hotel security staff helped the commandos inside the hotel until the very end.

Extra security measures have now been added at The Group’s 20 hotels in India , including luggage scanners, metal detectors and more security cameras.

Biki's dad, Mohan Singh Oberoi, built New Delhi's first modern and air-conditioned hotel in 1965. And then in 1972 he built the Oberoi Sheraton (now known as the Trident) - the first rival to the opulent Taj hotel. The ‘Oberoi, Mumbai’ opened in 1986 – an elegant business hotel with an exclusive, by-invitation-only club for executives. Located in the heart of the commercial district overlooking the Arabian Sea, its eminent former guests include Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, Jack Welch and the President of the United States of America as well as various Heads of State.

Oberoi Hotels have been consistently ranked among the best in the world. Recently, three Oberoi hotels were ranked amongst the six best in the world in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2008.  The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur; The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur and The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra were rated 2^nd, 4^th and 6^th best hotels in the world respectively.  Attention to detail and personalised service has ensured a loyal list of guests. The Group supports philanthropic activities ranging from education to assistance for the mentally and physically challenged. The Group is also a keen contributor to the conservation of nature and cultural heritage.