Best hotels in Mumbai

A sprawling metropolis, Mumbai is a city of extremes from the classic, colourful bazaars to its reputation as the 'film city of India' (which you can get to know on a Bollywood tour). The Leela fits right in with 309 well-appointed rooms and a collection of dining venues, all set in 11 acres of garden complete with a waterfall. As Mumbai's answer to a resort hotel, The Leela combines traditional elements with a polished exterior. It feels like an escape from the busyness of the city, with days spent sipping crafted cocktails by the pool amongst endless swaying palms, before exploring the city.

Off a bustling street in Colaba, the historical heart of Mumbai, Abode Bombay is a guesthouse steeped in the style of the city. The colonial building has been restored to offer modern rooms with a distinctive, quirky twist. Think custom-built furniture made from market stands, art deco pieces, vintage fabrics and original chandeliers. Abode is within strolling distance to some top sights including the iconic Gateway of India and just down the road, you'll find the famous Bademiya seafood stall. Well-positioned to explore the laneways of Mumbai, Abode is a unique hotel where the service is personal and the chai is hot.

Mumbai’s most stunning landmark with a devoted legion of followers, the Taj Mahal Palace isn’t just a place to stay - it’s a fabulous, iconic, all-singing, all-dancing and utterly splendid palace. Built by Jamsetji Tata in 1903, the exquisite red domes and stained-glass windows have become synonymous with unadulterated luxury and the restaurants, courtyards and bars attract well-heeled locals, exotic travellers and even a fair share of royalty. Today, she towers over the Arabian Sea in south Mumbai’s Colaba district and is on the doorstep of many of the city’s trendiest restaurants and hippest boutiques. But in order to visit them you’ll have to drag yourself away from the sumptuous interiors – and the gin cart that makes the rounds at the swimming pool.

When a hotel’s reputation precedes it (and contains such utterings as “best hotel in the world”), you know it’s going to be good – and year after year, The Oberoi Mumbai continues to live up to its name. Located on the southern tip of Mumbai, at the end of one of the city’s most exclusive streets, Marine Drive, the hotel is an Art Deco extravaganza from the outside, and a lesson in contemporary glamour on the inside. With a focus on light, height and space, every area, from the lobby to the outdoor pool terrace, is a calm, soothing respite from hot and heady Mumbai. Add a smattering of world-class restaurants, a deliciously-indulgent spa and some of the best views in the city, and you’ve got yourself an intoxicating retreat that's perfect for a city break.

The Gordon House Hotel is located in Mumbai. The hotel is in close proximity to the Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Rajabai Tower, St. Thomas Cathedral, and Flora Fountain. The Gordon House Hotel is small and intimate hotel that’s big on style. Discover the subtle balance between innovative décor and warm and personalized service. Their uniquely themed floors have captured the essence of Scandinavian, English Country and the Mediterranean. Experience interactive dining at their highly acclaimed Oriental street kitchen restaurant All Stir Fry, outfitted with a noodle bar that has yet to be matched in the area. Cozy and inviting, The Gordon House Hotel is a peaceful and hip oasis in the heart of the city.

This luxury hotel opened its doors to guests in 1973 and instantly became an inalienable part of the Mumbai cityscape. Five decades since, the Taj Mahal Tower continues to dazzle patrons with luxurious suites, iconic restaurants and sublime views of the city’s famed seafront. As a guest, you’re privy to world-class sophistication and impeccable service underscored by Mumbai’s warmth and vigour. The hotel's location in the heritage district of Colaba keeps you at the city’s nerve centre of art, culture and glamour. Should you choose to venture further, the concierge desk curates signature experiences that let you unravel the megalopolis’s multifaceted layers. Whether relaxing in your well-appointed suite, luxuriating at the spa or exploring Mumbai’s many alternative lives by the docks, the Taj hospitality assures you have a splendid time.

Located near the tip of Nariman Point and high over Marine Drive, Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai enjoys vast panoramas that take in the Arabian Sea and 'Queen’s Necklace' lights along the shoreline, the best views available to Nariman Point hotels near the beach in Mumbai. Just under an hour’s drive from Mumbai’s domestic and international airport terminals, within minutes of Mumbai’s major international financial institutions and the city’s fashionable shopping boutiques and art galleries.