India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [108]
Nariman Point, Marine Dr., Mumbai 400 021. 022/5632-5757, or -6887 reservations. Fax 022/5632-4142. www.oberoihotels.com. 333 units. At press time, The Oberoi is closed for extensive renovations, and scheduled to reopen by 2010. Rates are currently unavailable. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; lounge; bar; airport transfers (free for certain room categories); butler (on each floor); concierge; health club and spa; large outdoor pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, CD (deluxe rooms & suites), fax, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (chargeable).
Expensive
Hotel Marine Plaza Any address along Marine Drive is highly sought after, and the former Bombay International is no exception, though it’s not in the same class as The Oberoi, InterContinental, or the Trident. Like the hotel, the Deco-styled marble lobby is small, its main stairway concealing a lounge from where you stare up at people in the glass-bottom pool five floors up. Besides taking a dip, the pool deck is where you’ll get wonderful views over Back Bay and the entire Queen’s Necklace strip. Most of the accommodations are suites, some of which are relatively well-priced but require neck-straining to get a look at the view; make sure to specify a room with a direct sea view. Ironically, the cheapest (“superior”) rooms (there are just four) all face the sea full-on; they’re slick and smart, albeit in an old-fashioned sort of way (carpets, old sofas, old TVs, and very low furniture). Note, too, that if it matters, you should specify if you require a king-size bed.
29 Marine Dr., Mumbai 400 020. 022/2285-1212. Fax 022/2282-8585. www.hotelmarineplaza.com. hmp@sarovarhotels.com. 68 units. Rs 16,000 superior double; Rs 18,000 executive suite double; Rs 24,000 deluxe suite double; Rs 28,000 special suite double. Rates include breakfast; 10% tax extra. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 2 restaurants; pastry shop; bar; airport transfers (Rs 1,800–Rs 1,860); health club; rooftop pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 450/hr.; Rs 1,860/day).
Trident Nariman Point Often regarded as the mass-market sibling of the attached Oberoi, this is one of Mumbai’s slickest, smartest, and friendliest business hotels, and enjoys an enviable position with excellent views across Back Bay and the entire Marine Drive strip. While accommodations are sumptuous (sleek and light-filled, with plenty of modern-looking blonde wood, big back-supporting beds with silky white linens, and extensive amenities for demanding business travelers), it’s primarily in the area of service that this colossal hotel trumps competitors down the road (neither the InterContinental nor the Marine Plaza come close). On top of the excellent in-house dining options (a smart-casual dress code is in place—no shorts) and a luscious new spa, you can also rely on the concierge desk to achieve near-miracles, and—should you take our advice and book a Taj Club room (with a sea view, of course)—you’ll enjoy the services of a butler, making your stay feel extraspecial.
Marine Dr., Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. 022/6632-4343. Fax 022/6632-5000. www.tridenthotels.com. 540 units. Rs 10,250 superior double; Rs 11,750 deluxe sea view double; Rs 13,250 premiere double; Rs 14,750 premiere sea view double; Rs 16,750 Trident Club double; Rs 18,000–Rs 74,000 suite. Club and suite rates include breakfast and airport transfers; all rates exclude 10% tax. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 2 restaurants; including India Jones (see review); lounge, bar; airport transfers (Rs 2,647); babysitting; butler service (Club floors