Hotels in BOM (and BLR)
 

Hi all,

I'm heading off to BOM and BLR in January and am having trouble finding hotels. I found another thread with BLR suggestions (though more are welcome), but I'm not having as much luck with BOM. In both cities, one of my visits will be at the British Council, so something near there would be great.

My first choice in BOM was the Hilton Towers. This is where a co-worker always stays and is in walking distance to where I'll have meetings. It's completely booked for a month from mid-January! What other options are close to the Hilton that are worth staying at?

I'll also need a single night near the airport on the way back in BOM, but I found some info in another thread.

Looking forward to my trip,

Dr. PITUK

For BOM, try the Oberoi just beside the Hilton towers on Nariman point (where the british council office is):

http://www.oberoimumbai.com/index.as...o=1&leftitem=1

Otherwise the only other choices are the Ambassador near churchgate on Marine Drive and another medium sized hotel a few blocks between the Ambassador and Nariman Point, whose name I can't remember. The Taj Mahal at the Gateway of India in Colaba would be another nice choice, but you'd have to take a taxi for 15min each day.

Near the Airport the Leela Kempinski used to be the only decent '5-star' but now a lot of nice places have come up there, notably the Hyatt.

Thanks again for the quick and useful info! Is it really just 15 minutes to the Taj? The rates there don't seem too bad (wow - I never thought I'd consider $300US+tax 'not too bad' :)). I've heard that the Oberoi are consistently great. Does the same go for the Taj hotels? Is it worth the taxi ride to stay 'in town' instead of Nariman Point?

Will all hotels in this 'class' have internet access? Included? Some hotels are clear about it, others aren't.

Thanks,

Dr. PITUK

all 5 star hotels are that expensive in india, unfortunately. and if you don't book in advance you may not have rooms.

For Bombay..Sheraton Grand Central is not too far from there, about 20 mins in a taxi/hotel car. Avoid anything near airport as it can be over an hour's drive from where you want to be.

Nariman Point to Taj Mahal and vv is 15min. I used to walk it from Regal (three blocks north of the Taj) to the British Council and its a nice walk too.

The Taj and Oberoi are the best there is.

The taj mahal is not in the 'town', but just on the other side of the peninsula that is south mumbai. As they also have a naval base close by, it is well documented by satellite photos, so google has it on file:
http://local.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...m=1&iwloc=addr

The Taj is just opposite the gateway of india which you see on the right of the photo with all the little boats anchored in front of it. The Taj is the big C pointing left with the pool.

Nariman Point is the area to the extereme left. The oberoi is one of the buildings throwing shadows on the marine drive. It has the largest shadow onto the water.

That is a very cool link! Thanks.

After much (more) indecision, I think that I'll probably stay at the Taj. Maybe. I'm not sure that I can justify the extra cost at the Oberoi. Of course maybe I can use the 'savings' to upgrade to the Club level at the Taj :) :). I just wish that they had ocean views! I think that I may pay a tad extra out of my pocket to have the view.

I found that the Park hotel in Bangalore had an 'early bird special', so the price isn't too bad, and it seems to be in the middle of the action.

Now to figure out my flights. It's amazing how indecisive I can be in my old age!!

Thanks,

Dr. PITUK

Personally I was disappointed with the Taj in Bombay - a hotel living on a old reputation. In fact, I've been consistently disappointed with every Taj I've stayed in. The Oberoi is MUCH nicer.

The Park in BLR is good, if a little bit offbeat (an Indian interpretation of a design hotel). Monsoon serves some of the best non-Indian food I've eaten in India, and the outdoor BBQ restaurant is nice. If there on a Wed/Fri/Sat and planning on early night, ask for a room as far away from the bar as possible. The bass is quite powerful!

Doh! My reply got eaten.

I've heard that the Taj Palace is a tad disappointing, but I've also heard people suggest that on average 'Oberoi' ~= 'Taj'. I've only been in lobbies and restaurants of the 2 in Delhi (and the Taj in Agra). I just don't think that I can justify the extra cost, though some colleagues think that I should just bill it :). I think that I'll pay for an upgrade myself. I'd love to stay at Club level at the Taj (with transfers and lounge), but I'd REALLY like an ocean view :) :). IF I stay at the Oberoi (I have to decide tomorrow), I'll pay the difference to an ocean view.

I'm glad that the Park is offbeat in an Indian way - that's just what I'm looking for! If I have to entertain, I'll try Monsoon, but otherwise I want to take advantage of the local cuisine that seem to abound in the area of the hotel - I love new things!

Thanks for the help,

Dr. PITUK

Stay at the Taj Mahal in BOM. Trust me it is a real experience. You'll be staying in a historic place. They also have rooms that face to the sea. Not the full frontal sea like the oberoi, but atleast something.

Thanks Oliver,

I already booked it after your suggestion. Apart from price, the historic aspect appeals. I like luxury, but they are both pretty nice! I picked a deluxe ocean room. I'll have to make my own way to the hotel, and be on my own for breakfast and 'High Tea' (which I don't even drink!), but I think it will be pretty sweet!

Thanks,

Dr. PITUK

I've been in BOM for a week now on a business.

Due to my desire to keep my points with Starwood I stayed at the Le Royal Meridien Mumbai by the airport. The Sheraton Grand Maratha is across the street.

What an excellent hotel the Meridien is! I payed the extra for the Royal Club rooms which were bigger and had access to the lounge for breakfast. Service was excellent with lots of people around to assist. Another nice perk of the Royal Club was butler service for things like shoe shines, getting your shirt pressed.

I ate at Flames and the Chinese restaurant and the food was excellent with great service albeit a little pricey.

Only downside is that there is not much to do around the hotel.

I did travel daily to the Hiranandani Business Park where my offices are and it was only about a 30 minute commute.

I would definitely stay here again.

it is an excellent hotel indeed, if you are in that area. However if business takes you to South Mumbai it is quite a commute!

To qualify my comments on the Taj Mumbai, if you get one of the heritage rooms it is a good experience (though I still don't like the service style). The modern rooms are very average indeed.

have een to mumbai ages ago and stayed at the Leela hotel which if i can remember is near the airport.......but it was a very average stay

Has anyone stayed at any of the Hyatts ? in mumbai.....i believe there is a grand as well as a regency........commenst and observations welcomed......

oberoi looks grand and very Hong Kong Regent then....!!

what about the Park...i believe it just opened ....anyone stayed yet?

thanks

Intercontinental at Marine Drive
 

I have been to BOM 3 times this year and stayed twive at IC at Marine drive and once at the Hilton.

I absolutely prefer IC Marine drive as the location is superb (just 5 mins walking from Hilton) thus in the busines district. Also it only has approx 70 rooms, which means that when you are there for some days the staff recognizes you, which adds the personal touch. Service is fantastic as well as the roof top terrace with the fantastic view of the bay.

Stayed at the hilton once as IC was sold out and was not impressed by the service there. Called both the business centre as well as lobby several times with no responce, which should not be able to happen...

Happy new year to you all