Abode Bombay

The central hub at Abode is the library that moonlights as an all-day cafe and lounge. With a shabby-chic style complete with colourful kettles and a selection of fun greeting cards, the cafe isn't a bad place to enjoy a cuppa and browse through the books. Abode serves a continental breakfast until midday (including two hot Indian dishes) and a light menu for lunch or dinner. Enjoy a range of treatments in the spa room or do a little on-site browsing at the shop, where you'll find hand-woven scarves and traditional jewellery.

There are 20 rooms, each decorated in vintage furnishings, art-deco tiling and original artworks featuring scenes of Mumbai. The rooms all come with a TV, safe, air-con, writing desk and en-suite bathroom (with 100% cotton robes!). The Luxury and Simple rooms have a walk-in rain shower, lounge area, and an iPod docking station. The Superior rooms also come with a clawfoot tub. Basic rooms are so named because they have a shared toilet and some don't have windows, but they're still comfortable and save a few rupees.

Abode offers a number of tours through the city by bike, car or foot - including a lip-smacking food tour and a Bollywood tour. Mumbai is a city of extremes where you'll find amazing art museums, ancient temples and flower markets in full bloom. Stroll through the Colaba Causeway, which is like an everyday carnival with handicrafts galore; and visit the historic Gateway of India, which also happens to be the gateway to the Elephanta Caves. Just a boatride away, the caves contain an amazing tapestry of rock art.