India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [114]
Taj Lands End When it comes to location, the name says it all—far away from predictably tourist-centered Colaba, this hotel enjoys a lovely seaside setting at the southern tip of one of Mumbai’s hippest suburbs where some of Bollywood’s biggest names reside and thousands of cool young things come out to play on weekends and after dark. Each and every guest room (all handsomely renovated and supplied with such useful amenities as mobile phones, with air time) affords views of the Arabian Sea through a haze of palm trees—choose one facing the new Bandra-Worli sea link bridge. If you don’t mind the extra expense, opt for one on the smart new upper-level Club floor rooms, definitely the best in the house, with extra-swish services. While the vast lobby is often buzzing with business deals going down, a short uphill walk takes you to one of the city’s three “miracle hotspots”—Mount Mary church, especially enchanting after dark.
Land’s End, Bandstand, Bandra (West), Mumbai 400 050. 022/6668-1234. Fax 022/6699-4488. www.tajhotels.com. landsend.mumbai@tajhotels.com. 493 units. Rs 22,500 deluxe sea view double; Rs 24,500 luxury sea view double; Rs 26,500 Taj Club; Rs 50,000 executive suite; Rs 75,000 luxury suite; Rs 135,000 grand luxury suite; Rs 250,000 presidential suite. Club rates include breakfast, cocktail hour, high tea, and one-way airport transfer. Daily discounts available. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 4 restaurants, lounge bar, pool bar; airport transfers (Rs 1,000); Club floors with butler service, private lounge, and express check-in and -out; concierge; health club and spa; outdoor pool and children’s pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 300/hr.; Rs 600/day).
Moderate
For more midrange options, try the newly expanded Hotel Sea Princess (Juhu Tara Rd.; 022/2661-1111 or 020/2646-9500; www.seaprincess.com), where you should request a sea-facing deluxe luxury room (book online for the best rates); they’ve been recently overhauled, but the views through the bay windows (although you may need to first move the armchairs out the way) are still the prime attraction. Also recommended (and on Juhu beach) is Citizen Hotel ( 022/6693-2525; www.citizenhotelmumbai.com), which has small rooms (with tiled floors and fresh, if over-the-top, decor) and closet-size bathrooms, but the deluxe sea-facing units (Rs 8,500 double) have great views from large windows overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Juhu Residency Boutique Hotel From the outside it looks a bit like a sealed-off bunker (dark glass prevents you from seeing in), but once inside you discover a sweet little hotel (with a faintly Egyptian theme), welcoming staff, and very slick rooms (with a great big bed, pair of armchairs, plasma TV, and a modern look with local accents). All that’s lacking (besides a pool) is the possibility of sea views—it’s set 1 block back from the beach—which may defeat the very purpose of staying in Juhu. Still, you can enjoy the breeze while chilling at the rooftop bar and restaurant, from where you look out over a fascinating urban jungle, studded with huge palm trees and alive with horn-honking motorists. Things here are relaxed, and the comfortable rooms come with such thoughtful touches as having a copy of the latest Time Out Mumbai next to your bed.
148B Juhu Tara Rd., Juhu, Mumbai 400049. 022/6783-4949. Fax 022/6783-4950. www.juhuresidency.com. reservations@juhuresidency.com. 18