I would recommend not only that you bring your addresses on paper, but the phone number of the place you're visiting. Many addresses have no street name or number, and it'll just be "The so-and-so building near landmark X in suburb Y", so the driver may have no chance of finding it without a phone number to call and ask directions.

Also, the best thing I've found to do about transportation is to rent an actual car with driver for the period of time you'll be there. Many of the cabbies that hang outside the major hotels waiting for fares really know how to work the tourists. One of the greatest values of having a driver is their loyalty though. Our driver gave us tips on what to pay for things at different locations, let us know what places were safe and what weren't, and when we were shopping one day the beggars were so bad, we went back to the car and got the driver, and he walked with us, telling all the beggars to get lost. The driver will fight for you if you were to get attacked, and just having them there with you, I've found will deter a great amount of the riffraff. They can point out all the landmarks, without getting repeats, and know where you've been so they can suggest alternative spots. They can be your translator, can find you a place to eat that won't make you sick...

The drivers loyalty are almost legendary amongst locals, as several people told stories of drivers fighting to protect their passengers, treating them like family as well, which is exactly how i felt.

The driver's cars are going to be much nicer than even the coolcabs, and you'll have a trunk to store those 50 bags of purchases while you're out on a day of shopping.

I'd agree that the hotel drivers are going to be a premium price though, as is anything associated with the hotels. There are many non-hotel driver services though. The one I used last time in Mumbai was:

Shree Krishna Tours & Travels
[email protected] / [email protected]

The actual driver I had was named Sandeep Dhivare, who I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. I'd also recommend bargaining with them as I know my company did.

I don't know about the rates as my company paid for the car but I understand it's charged by the day or week + miles for the gas. My driver said he was making $200/month as a driver, so they probably aren't even charging $100/week to you over the cost of gas/car.

It's also worth noting that my company forbid me to take a regular taxi out of security concerns. They may be just paranoid, however the one time I walked past the taxi stand outside the hotel, one really scumbag taxi driver was pressuring me into going and seeing his friend's whorehouse, and I felt like if I had got into his cab I would have been in trouble.

One thing to look out for about drivers when you go out shopping: some work on commission and may, unbeknownst to you, steer you to the shops they get commissions from. My recommendation is: do NOT rely on car drivers to do your shopping. Do your homework in advance. An Indian colleague, or the hotel concierge is much better suited to this task.

Sorry to correct you. It will take at least 1 1/2 hour to go from Bandra to the Gateway of India (and that is by taking the road via Haji Ali, Breach Candy, Marine Drive etc.) Just look at the map of Bombay.
Bandra is about 30 mins. from the airport, which is north of the City of Bombay.
Please go on Goodle Earth and see the satellite picture.

Thanks Agtoau, had looked at the IC Marine Drive but it seemed a bit pricey at the time. Taking the plunge and got a decent prepay rate, thanks to Ambassador it's already showing a Jr. Executive Suite. Looking forward to it !

What is "Ambassador"? Let us know your impressions of the hotel when you get back.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366846

I'll be in Mumbai from the 20th through the 26th for business. I'll be staying at the ITC Hotel Grand Central Sheraton for last four nights because it's close to my work (Mahalaxmi district).

However, I need a good hotel for the first two nights with quick/easy access to the Andheri area of Mumbai, so I can be close to some family. I think, but I'm not sure, that this area is close to the airport. Can someone recommend a hotel?

Any of the deluxe airport hotels - Grand Maratha Sheraton, Intercontinental Grand, Hyatt Regency, Le Meridien, The Leela - should do fine. My recommendation, however, is The Leela. I was there both in December 2005 and January 2006, and the renovated rooms are superb.

I'm going to make my first trip to India in March and I'll be attending a conference at the (way too pricey) Grand Hyatt Mumbai. I know it's not too far from the international airport, and I'm thinking that for the first few days I might stay at a hotel in the Julu Beach area and catch a cab to the conference at the Hyatt. I prefer the salt air to the city air anyway. So my first request is for recommendations for a budget hotel in the general Julu Beach area. Clean and cheap, and somewhere I'll can get a wi-fi connection; in the hotel would of course be ideal, but I could live with it if I had to walk to a coffee shop to find a hot spot.

After about 3 or 4 nights in the northern suburbs, I'll then want to stay for 3 more days in downtown Mumbai. I'd like to stay around $60 a night if it's possible to find clean, cockroach-free, nonsmoking, secure lodging at that rate. I realize I will probably need to go higher, but I would like to economize if I can find a place I can live with.

Finding the actual website of a hotel in India is maddening. Everybody and his brother has a portal website that implies that this is the hotel's site, but the tipoff is that they never provide the phone or fax number, and they always have a web-based inquiry system. So if you have a fax number, website, or email address for the hotels you recommend please enclose them.

Thanks,
Pilgrim

I stayed at the Hotel Marine Plaza on Marine drive a few weeks ago. www.hotelmarineplaza.com
The hotel and staff were very friendly. They offered afternoon snacks in the room and the room/bathroom were very clean. It is located right on Marine Drive.

One negative: The air conditioning control was poor. I could not achieve a comfortable temperature. When on, it was too cold; if you turned it off, it became too warm.

Also, there is a nightclub in the building which can be loud. Ask for a room away from there if you don't want to hear the music.

As do many hotels in India, they have separate rates for foreigners and Indian residents.

What kind of price do you consider pricey for the Grand Hyatt? We stay there for anywhere from USD 80-120/night depending on the season and which corporate partner is booking the room. Just curious what you are getting quoted.

I'm getting quoted over $250 USD per night

Thanks,

Pilgrim

The Intercon is marvelous - the service is impeccable and the location too - some of the rooms also have great views.

I stayed 2 nights on a higher "business" rate that included car transfers and a few amenities. It was worth it - the lowest rate was 199, and the business rate was 239. One-way car transfer for the IC is $55 (ouch!) so booking the more expensive room paid dividends. It also included a free bottle of (bad quality) red wine which they were eager to open and pour for me on arrival. The hotel also has a fantastic Italian restaurant, Corleone which serves as the breakfast buffet. If you are not staying mid-week, you should be able to get a low rate.

I found the service good - almost too good. I do not like to be waited on hand and foot as it makes me very uncomfortable. I find that in most of Asia though, the service in the upscale hotels is off the charts especially considering the prices.

Anyway, going to India for the hotels is like going to Bali for the Hard Rock Cafe. The people, the atmosphere, the culture make India SO interesting to me. I absolutely fell in love with Mumbai and will definitely be back.

Sounds like you need some LOCAL corporate partners that can get you better rates.

And how does one come by corporate partners? Are you saying, to establish a contractual relationship with a company there? And that it could negotiate favorable rates for its joint venture partners?

Thanks