InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - IC Marine Drive Mumbai Master Thread [merged]

IC Marine Drive. Just checked in a few hours ago. Very nice hotel, small, modern, new.
Very friendly people. But so horribly inefficient.

Arrived 1:40. I am Royal Ambassador. Had to wait for 15 minutes in the lobby - "Sir, the room is ready, the supervisor just has to check if everything is in order.
Then finally in the room. Seems like a standard room, no suite or bigger room or anything better. I checked. Yes, i was upgraded to a better view (bay view). (Strange, according to the floorplan this room shoukld have the least of a bayview, also seems to be the smallest they have).

Then waitet 20 min for the luggage. Called. They promised to check for my luggage and call me back. Never called back. 20 min later i went down to the lobby to check. The manager: "Your luggage is on the way." Strage, because it was sitting still in the lobby where it was when we wnt to the room.

IC Marine Drive. Just checked in a few hours ago. Very nice hotel, small, modern, new.
Very friendly people. But so horribly inefficient.




I wasn't too impressed with the service at this hotel, either, though the room was awfully nice. I had reserved a sea view room, and ended up with what I would term a partial sea view on the third floor, so I am not too sure we got upgraded as ambassadors. The room had a nice office space, which we did not need at all, but it was very spacious and the bathroom was amazing. There were some little candies and cookies in jars below the flatscreen tv. There was also a Bose stereo, and they sent up a cd and dvd for us to enjoy. Breakfast was pretty good, with a selection of Indian and western foods. There is a rooftop pool, but it wasn't very well shielded from the wind, and in January the sun was not overhead enough for us to feel like swimming. We did get to watch some of the Mumbai marathon from the roof, though, as it was run right down Marine Drive.

When the gentleman brought up the cd and dvd, he asked if they could do the turndown in a few minutes. I told him we would be going out in like an hour, and it would be great if someone could come then. I am not sure whether we misunderstood each other or what, but about 10 minutes later the bell rang. Since we were in the shower, it was ignored. It rang again after a minute, and again a few minutes later. I finally went to let the guy in, he took care of the turndown while we were finishing up, and then asked if he could put the extra linens on a shelf in the bathroom. Obviously, as we were fresh from the shower, I said no. It was weird.

I did really appreciate the opportunity to get like $20 worth of small bills, though, and have it charged to the room.

I'm travelling to Mumbai India next month and i'm planning on staying at one of the IC's there. Which is better IC Grand Mumbai or IC Marine Drive. How do they stack up. Any reviews and suggestions.

Thanks in Advance.

I personally like the IC Marine drive... they have plasma TV.. and rooms are much nicer

Depends on what you plan to do in BOM. If you're in transit or going for work around the Bandra-Kurla Complex (aka. BKC), the Grand is much better for traffic. As an Ambassador, you will get upgraded to a Club room. As an RA, you will get a suite with Club access.

If you're going to be spending tourist time in BOM (although why anyone would do that I can't imagine :D ) or working in the Nariman Point area, the Marine Drive is a better choice.

More here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=372239&highlight=BOM

I prefer IC Marine Drive if location is not a pressing item.

I like the IC Marine Drive a lot. I haven't stayed at the Grand, so I can't do a direct comparison, but IC Marine Drive is my favourite hotel in south Mumbai. I find the location convenient not just for Nariman Point, but also Worli, Parel, etc - when going to these areas, I am usually going against the traffic. I would only consider the Grand if I specifically needed good access to Bandra Kurla or had a short flight connection.

Thanks for all the feedback and info guys.
I'll be staying in IC Marine Drive.

This seems to be the only sole thread devoted to IC Marine Drive. Any new information? Anyone have a e-mail address for the Hotel? Thanks.

Was looking for a room for 3 nights on Points from September 18 - 21, 2011 but none were available.

Have checked a number of dates till mid of next year. don't see any availability on Points! :confused:

Don't know why it is this way? Is the hotel doing this or is it a genuine mistake and they have not loaded any nights in the points system!!!

Can others see this problem also. Please revert.

It would probably be worthwhile to call the hotel and ask.

...Please revert.

Sure, I’ll set my biological clock to regress evolutionarily to my original primitive hydrocarbon state at 1 p.m. today.

http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/life/10-indianisms-652344 :p

Was looking for a room for 3 nights on Points from September 18 - 21, 2011 but none were available.

Have checked a number of dates till mid of next year. don't see any availability on Points! :confused:

Don't know why it is this way? Is the hotel doing this or is it a genuine mistake and they have not loaded any nights in the points system!!!

Can others see this problem also. Please revert.

I'll be checking into this hotel tomorrow, so will ask the FD Manager and see what answer I get :-)

It would probably be worthwhile to call the hotel and ask.

I called and spoke to the reservations desk at the hotel. I was told that the hotel is small with 58 rooms so generally in peak season from October onwards they do not have rooms on points. :(

Sure, I’ll set my biological clock to regress evolutionarily to my original primitive hydrocarbon state at 1 p.m. today.

http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/life/10-indianisms-652344 :p

:o

I'll be checking into this hotel tomorrow, so will ask the FD Manager and see what answer I get :-)

Hey I just saw that the hotel offers free breakfast to all the guests. Also 20 mins free massage :D

I called and spoke to the reservations desk at the hotel. I was told that the hotel is small with 58 rooms so generally in peak season from October onwards they do not have rooms on points. :(

The hotel is small and in the boutique class. It's been a while since I have been there, but I don't recall a free breakfast. That's nice. I did however get a nice in-room massage for free the last time I was there. ^ The IC at the airport also gives RA's a free massage. They have far more rooms so you may have a better chance at award nights there.

The hotel is small and in the boutique class.

Its boutique style is one of IC Marine Drive's numerous charms, with slick warm contemporary design, stellar service, hype pool/terrace with stunning view over the marina, and excellent restaurants.

(and I love the icecream shop next block;))

Its boutique style is one of IC Marine Drive's numerous charms, with slick warm contemporary design, stellar service, hype pool/terrace with stunning view over the marina, and excellent restaurants.

(and I love the icecream shop next block;))

As mentioned above, it is small boutique hotel which is the reason they said rooms on points are rare. I checked in this morning and was given the corner suite on the 4th floor. Quite impressive room. The bathroom is huge, probably a quarter of the room. There are couple of minor layout issues in the toilet door (frosted glass) hits the bathroom door if left open. I almost smashed the toilet door by opening the bathroom door too quick. The mini bar cupboard is behind the desk and you need to move the chair from behind the desk to open it. The room is huge but they create space issues?

As it was raining when I checked in, I immediately took advantage of the free Welcome back and shoulder massage. I wasn't told about any free breakfast but I will ask on my return to the hotel this afternoon.

I will also be tracking down the ice cream shop that nicolas75 mentions above.

As mentioned above, it is small boutique hotel which is the reason they said rooms on points are rare. I checked in this morning and was given the corner suite on the 4th floor. Quite impressive room. The bathroom is huge, probably a quarter of the room. There are couple of minor layout issues in the toilet door (frosted glass) hits the bathroom door if left open. I almost smashed the toilet door by opening the bathroom door too quick. The mini bar cupboard is behind the desk and you need to move the chair from behind the desk to open it. The room is huge but they create space issues?

As it was raining when I checked in, I immediately took advantage of the free Welcome back and shoulder massage. I wasn't told about any free breakfast but I will ask on my return to the hotel this afternoon.

I will also be tracking down the ice cream shop that nicolas75 mentions above.

The website says free breakfast.

Just completed a one-night stay as part of a BRG gone bad. Here are my Pro/Cons:

Pro:

- very nicely decorated and spacious rooms
- RFID keys and 'magic touch' light switches and large Plasma give you some futuristic sense
- welcome massage in room (20 mins) is a nice touch
- large bathroom with separate shower/ tub
- location is just really nice, walking distance to stock exchange and many other Bombay sights
- Marine drive is a great jogging path by all standards
- there are a number of well rated restaurants just 5 minutes walk away at Churchgate

Cons:

- service is friendly but confused with people stepping on each other toes
- brekkie is not free and just ok, not as good as in ITCs
- my partial ocean view was toward a decrepit building through the most dirty window I've ever seen (and hey I never clean my windows at home, ever)
- pool is tiny, gym is a windowless, cramped room, I did not dare workout there
- I only had breakfast but reviews for other food here did not seem great, so be careful

In sum - great rooms in a soso hotel with a great location. My bet is it won't be an Intercontinental for very long...

gym is a windowless, cramped room, I did not dare workout there

It's been a while since I was there, but I clearly remember gazing at the sea while running the treadmill. Has the gym been relocated from the rooftop?

Cons:

- service is friendly but confused with people stepping on each other toes
- brekkie is not free and just ok, not as good as in ITCs
- my partial ocean view was toward a decrepit building through the most dirty window I've ever seen (and hey I never clean my windows at home, ever)
- pool is tiny, gym is a windowless, cramped room, I did not dare workout there
- I only had breakfast but reviews for other food here did not seem great, so be careful

In sum - great rooms in a soso hotel with a great location.

I simply love this hotel for elegant interior design, location, exceptional quality of service, food at restaurants, pleasant rooftop pool and bar with stunning view over the bay.

PS:
- why breakfast should be offered?
- yes, some windows are very dirty, for a reason I cannot understand.

My bet is it won't be an Intercontinental for very long...
I definitely hope not. I'd love to have more ICs with this boutique touch around the world.

It's been a while since I was there, but I clearly remember gazing at the sea while running the treadmill. Has the gym been relocated from the rooftop?

They have put some 'scaffolding' over the rooftop area. It's mainly for the lounge/bar but also affects gym. They may lift it - at least during the night it closed up the gym windows, may be different during the day though.

I simply love this hotel for elegant interior design, location, exceptional quality of service, food at restaurants, pleasant rooftop pool and bar with stunning view over the bay.

PS:
- why breakfast should be offered?
- yes, some windows are very dirty, for a reason I cannot understand.


I definitely hope not. I'd love to have more ICs with this boutique touch around the world.

Upthread people mentioned it's free but it's not but reasonably priced at 715 INR ai.

I inquired about the windows and they replied "...it's outside Sir, we can't reach it...'. It's Monsoon and certainly needs regular up-keeping but hey labor is almost free in India.

I learned that there is a Mafia of sorts that controls the rooftops of Mumbai and the cable TV operators must deal with them. Maybe it is the same sort of thing with window cleaners because all the windows in that neighborhood seem to be filthy and it's been that way for at least 10 years.

The salt spray from the sea is a factor in the dirty windows.

The room views include "city", "sea" & "bay". One executive suite per floor. One corner suite per floor. The executive suite has a view of the neighborhood and the bay. The corner suite has a view of the bay and sea. Both rooms are very nice but the neighborhood view is a downgrade of sorts from a standard room with a sea view. The Ambassador / RA room upgrade is to the executive suite so the upgrade path to the corner suite is to book the executive suite.

3 day stay early July during high tide & monsoon season. Quite the introduction to India. The hotel and the hotel staff were quite wonderful.

The Ambassador / RA room upgrade is to the executive suite

Regardless of the room booked? We have a "deluxe seafront" reservation for December and I would have hoped that RA would give us a fair shot at a "corner suite" rather than an "executive junior suite".

Regardless of the room booked? We have a "deluxe seafront" reservation for December and I would have hoped that RA would give us a fair shot at a "corner suite" rather than an "executive junior suite".

Quoting the manager, the RA upgrade is the executive suite. Off season the standard rooms are 1/2 the price of the suites so the executive suite upgrade is a bargain. The 5th floor is the one non smoking floor so choice of smoking / non smoking is also a determining factor. One executive suite per floor and one corner suite per floor. Both rooms are very nice but the corner suite view is better. I prefer the view over the larger room and have downgraded a number of times to a smaller room with a better view.

Thanks for the additional insights, view-with-a-room. I'll report back after our stay (if we 'only' get a junior suite then the advice will be to book the most basic room rather than paying a "deluxe seafront" premium).

Following a brief email exchange with the hotel (just to let them know that we'll be arriving after midnight), our "king deluxe seafront view nonsmoking" reservation is now showing online as "king seafront corner suite nonsmoking". :)

If you're going to be spending tourist time in BOM (although why anyone would do that I can't imagine :D )


Me! I'm going as a tourist and am having a hard time figuring out what to do with these crazy BOM departure times. I'm flying from BOM to IST via AMM on RJ and flight leaves at 05:55. With 3 hour checkin and 1 hour ride to the airport that means checkout at around 02:00. Does this hotel have "halfday rates" or something similar? Is it customary to book a room on your last night or do you just hang in the lobby until midnight or so? Emphasis on the or so.

Also, does anyone know if this hotel has afternoon cocktails as part of the Exec Club experience?

Me! I'm going as a tourist and am having a hard time figuring out what to do with these crazy BOM departure times. I'm flying from BOM to IST via AMM on RJ and flight leaves at 05:55. With 3 hour checkin and 1 hour ride to the airport that means checkout at around 02:00. Does this hotel have "halfday rates" or something similar? Is it customary to book a room on your last night or do you just hang in the lobby until midnight or so? Emphasis on the or so.

Also, does anyone know if this hotel has afternoon cocktails as part of the Exec Club experience?

Those of us who have to go to BOM on business, (and I do mean HAVE to go there. I can't imagine anyone wanting to go as a tourist unless you are a foodie or Bollywood stalker), will often switch to an airport hotel the last night if we have a crazy flight time like 05:55. And why get to the airport 3 hour early? I usually get there around an hour before departure, assuming no checked bags.

I don't think they have half-day rates and there is no Exec Club at this hotel.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to go as a tourist.

I did ;)

(and I even rented a bicycle to visit Mumbai: you can imagine the face of the concierge when I asked for a bike ... But he found one and was very happy of it).

The art and design scene is burgeoning: there are MANY things to do in Mumbai, even if you are not a foodie or Bollywood stalker.

will often switch to an airport hotel the last night Brilliant! Will definitely do this, thank you!

And why get to the airport 3 hour early? I usually get there around an hour before departure, assuming no checked bags. I was under the impression that international checkin is 3 hours and have been reading scary things about the security lines. I'm more than happy not to be there that early. again, thank you!

I don't think they have half-day rates and there is no Exec Club at this hotel. Rats.

I was under the impression that international checkin is 3 hours and have been reading scary things about the security lines. I'm more than happy not to be there that early. again, thank you!

At 4 or 5am you won't find long lines. Nor around 1:30 am which is when I usually show up for flights to Europe which leave around 2:30 to 3:00am. If this is your first time in India, beware that you may have to show your ticket to enter the airport, so bring a printout with you.

At 4 or 5am you won't find long lines. Nor around 1:30 am which is when I usually show up for flights to Europe which leave around 2:30 to 3:00am. If this is your first time in India, beware that you may have to show your ticket to enter the airport, so bring a printout with you.

+1

The advantage of check-in past midnight, in addition to convenient arrival time in Europe, is to have not so heavy traffic on the road, in a hectic town where distance can be measured in hours rather than miles.

I'll report back after our stay

I'm sorry to say that there's no stay to report on, at least not this year, as a bereavement meant we changed our plans. But it is still worth reporting that the hotel handled our cancellation extremely courteously (and kindly waived their right to charge us for the first night). ^

At 4 or 5am you won't find long lines. Nor around 1:30 am which is when I usually show up for flights to Europe which leave around 2:30 to 3:00am. If this is your first time in India, beware that you may have to show your ticket to enter the airport, so bring a printout with you.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I'm looking forward to seeing Mumbai first-hand.

Any benefits for Platinum members here?