Maximum City, City of Dreams, and “Maya Nagari” or City of Illusions Mumbai throbs with an energy that is as fantastic as it is frenetic. The vertical city is actually a merger of seven islands and has been an important marine port forever. Mumbai is not just India’s financial and economic capital but also home to its largest entertainment industry, Bollywood. What’s more, it has three UNESCO World Heritage sites, grand colonial-era structures, hidden temples, unique bazaars, and some of the country’s best nightlife. It’s only fitting then that you explore this intriguing city by staying at some of the best hotels in Mumbai, India. Moreover, the best accommodations range from some of India’s best five-star, luxurious brands to heritage hotels tucked away in the oldest corners of the city.
So, make your stay in Maximum City memorable by choosing one of the 11 best hotels in Mumbai, India. We also have 11 Best Hotels in Mumbai Airport for those who prefer staying close to the international hub.
Where to stay in Mumbai
Mumbai is largely divided into the northern and southern suburbs and the suburb of Bandra lies midway. The northern suburbs are mostly residential, while the southern suburbs are the oldest part of the city and where all of its sightseeing spots are.
Colaba, which lies at the southern end of the city, is where the famous rocky promenade of Marine Drive lies. It’s Mumbai’s main tourist district and one of the best neighborhoods to stay in the city. Additionally, it has most of the city’s heritage structures and narrow old-era markets. What’s more, most hotels here are semi-luxurious to luxurious and many feature fabulous views of the Arabian Sea. Colaba is also where you’ll find many of the city’s older heritage hotels. Kala Ghoda or the Fort area lies north of Colaba and is one of Mumbai’s coolest neighborhoods with lots of cultural attractions. Both neighborhoods are also excellent to experience the dazzling nightlife of “South Bombay” or “SoBo,” as it’s popularly known as.
The suburb of Bandra, on the other hand, is hip and happening and home to some of the best pubs in Mumbai. Plus, it has both luxurious properties and boutique hotels, so travelers can take their pick. Bandra is divided further into Bandra West, a leafy, vibrant district, and the sprawling eastern neighborhood of Bandra Kurla Complex. The latter not only has amazing hotels but also some of Mumbai’s most exciting restaurants. Finally, one can also choose the lush, quiet, and coastal neighborhood of Juhu, which is famous for being proximate to the beach.
Ultimately, choosing a hotel to stay in Mumbai, India, comes down to the kind of neighborhood and the experience one is looking for. If you’re still unsure, we recommend reading top things to do in Mumbai after this! For a more welcoming vibe, consider staying at one of the Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels in Mumbai.
Abode Bombay
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Abode is perhaps one of the very few boutique-style hotels in Mumbai’s Colaba area and boasts a perfect location. It lies right down the street from the iconic Gateway of India and is a stone’s throw from many of South Bombay’s best street food stalls, cafes, and restaurants. Moreover, it lies right opposite the bustling Colaba Causeway, the street market haunt of those who visit Mumbai. So, don’t be put off by the hotel’s rather unprepossessing entrance, for its location literally cannot get any better.
The hotel channels a Boho, shabby-chic vibe. The lobby-cum-dining lounge impresses with gorgeous salvaged chandeliers, traditional tiles, artwork, and vintage furnishings. Even though Abode is more of a guesthouse, it offers all the trappings of a hotel including a small spa and an all-day dining cafe. Moreover, the staff offers lots of advice on tours, classes, and sightseeing. Additionally, it offers a simple yet super breakfast with both continental and Indian delights.
Even though rooms differ in size, Abode’s entry-level rooms are the best in Colaba and have spotlessly clean shared bathrooms. The best in space and amenities are the Superior Luxury room. While there are no in-room minibars or coffee/tea facilities, the hotel has 24-hour room service.
The Ferreiras
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The Portuguese-era Ferreiras lies in the historic village-like Khotachiwadi in Girgaum, which is one of the oldest parts of Mumbai. The wood-carved house is nestled in a narrow, cobblestoned bylane and is like a time capsule to 16th-century Bombay. Iconic Bombay sights like Opera House, Crawford Market, and the Chowpatty Beach are just around the corner.
Culture buffs to the city will be hard-pressed to find a more authentic hotel in Mumbai that harks back to its rich cultural past. The iconic dwelling is the original home to local fashion designer James Ferreira, who owns it and still lives in it today. In fact, he’s the perfect source of information about Bombay’s life and its quirks. This lovely, two-storied homestay might be more than two centuries old, but its well-maintained interiors make it look like it was built yesterday. Brown, black, and cream ornamental parapets and latticework accentuated by lush greenery makes for a very enticing exterior facade. On the inside, wood-beamed interiors are chock-full of antique fabrics and wicker ware, teak, chintz-covered chairs, crystalware cabinets, and historic family photographs. Moreover, a beaming housekeeper checks guest preferences beforehand and cooks hot breakfasts every day.
Guests here can choose from three small but comfortable bedrooms, of which one is ensuite. All rooms open on to a wood-beamed lounge featuring a whole lot of curios and trinkets, carved wooden mirrors, and glass bookcases.
ITC Grand Central Mumbai
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ITC Grand Central lies in the heart of the glittering district of Lower Parel and offers a delightful slice of British-era grandeur with modern SoBo architecture. The surrounding neighborhood is home to some of the best clubs, bars, and restaurants in Mumbai. What’s more, the central suburb of Bandra is just 25 minutes away via the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
The hotel has a palatial feel with artwork, gold touches, plush carpets, and marble floors. The lobby and hallways feature old sketches and photographs of Colaba. The lush courtyard, on the other hand, features a replica of the Rajabai Clock Tower, the iconic monument on the grounds of the University of Mumbai in Fort. What’s more, the hotel has lots of amenities like the semi-outdoor pool and the heavenly spa. You’ll be enamored by the service standards belted out by staff, which include a British Raj-era military regalia-clad doorman. Finally, satiate your hunger pangs with rich Indian, Chinese, and international cuisines at the hotel’s many restaurants.
Rooms are in line with British colonial theme with ornate desks, squishy carpets, and wonderful bathrooms with both standing showers and bathtubs. Go in for the west-facing rooms on the higher floors that have sweeping panoramas of the city’s skyline and the sea.
Soho House
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Stay in style at what is the sexiest hotel in Mumbai, the Soho House. The glamorous 11-story townhouse hotel lies in front of Juhu Beach, the most fabulous beachfront locale in Mumbai, India. Moreover, the upscale Juhu is just north of Bandra, which is another affluent suburb populated by Bollywood celebs and lots of amazing pubs.
offers easy access to a world of glamour. Sprawl around the rooftop pool to watch the sun sink into the sea, settle into the plush screening. The homely, high-class hotel boasts an intimate ambiance that melds English country-house styles with Indian craftsmanship and materials. The place has Rajasthani hand-printed fabrics, polished-teak retro furnishings, and English fabrics and wallpapers. What’s interesting is that the hotel has a unique set of non-digital-era rules. These include no laptops post 7 pm, and no cellphones or photography which, in hindsight, is a boon. The hotel looks particularly sensuous at night with decadent, romantic lighting. Likewise, it has many amenities, including a daily events calendar, gym with glorious views, four restaurants, and a book-filled library. However, the ultimate in R&R is the rooftop bar-restaurant and the inviting pool area with inviting daybeds.
Guests can choose from 38 bedrooms, of which two are imposing Playrooms with Rajasthan and French Provencal furnishings. Moreover, all rooms have plush bathrooms, a flourish of mod-cons, and vintage touches like radios and dial telephones.
The Leela
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The graceful five-star Leela boasts a great location, just a mile from Mumbai International Airport. That said, the dreamy hotel is surrounded by greenery and is a fabulous escape from the bustle of the city of Mumbai, India.
Dating back to the 1980s, the hotel’s design beautifully blends five-star aspects with Indian motifs; think long carpeted corridors, high ceilings, and light pouring in from massive glass windows. An impressive lobby with a golden cupola beneath which classical Indian musicians play every evening. The property is peppered with fresh floral arrangements and Indian artifacts. Plus, the concierge takes care of everything from restaurant bookings to local tours. What’s more, one can relax and unwind at the world-class spa or dig into world food at one of Leela’s many restaurants. However, it’s the 11 acres of lush, manicured gardens that also surround the divine turquoise-colored pool that is the hotel’s highlight.
One can choose from 391 rooms, of which 58 are Royal Club and the largest 30 are suites. However, even the entry-level Premier rooms are quite spacious and the garden-view rooms across all categories are the best. Nevertheless, all rooms are luxurious and have well-appointed bathrooms.
Hotel Sahara Star Mumbai Airport
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Travelers looking for an airport hotel in Mumbai that is not run-of-the-mill will absolutely love the sleek Hotel Sahara Star. The massive hotel is a cross between a Vegas casino-hotel (sans the casino) and a Bali resort (sans the beach). Unlike other airport transit hotels, Sahara Star is glamorous to boot and is much classier than other suburban five-star hotels.
On the outside, the hotel boasts a glimmering spherical metal facade. A contemporary lobby with steel-like ceiling fixtures leads to a spectacular tropical-style “lagoon,” which is the beating heart of the hotel. It also has an outdoor fitness center and a pool with “islands” that overlook the lagoon. Furthermore, there’s even an opulent spa that is the ultimate place to unwind and relax. However, the best part of the hotel is its many restaurants that serve a range of award-winning and eclectic cuisines.
What’s special about the hotel rooms is that they do not face the outside, but rather the inside! They’re spread over terraced tiers and face the colossal lagoon and gardens and have balconies. The suites that are named after planets and feature jacuzzis are the most luxurious of them all. That said, floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the city as well.
Backpacker Panda Colaba
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Backpackers to Mumbai needn’t look any further than the Backpacker Panda, which has properties both across India and outside too! Moreover, the hostel boasts a very appealing location smack dab in the heart of Colaba.
What’s excellent about this hostel is that it offers something called the Panda License which costs INR 99 (USD 1.32). It offers instant cashback of the same amount, savings on booking with travel partners, and discount pricing on booking hostels! The hostel itself is housed in a heritage structure with great architectural elements. One can choose from dorms and private rooms, both of which feature immaculate ensuite bathrooms. Dorm beds have beneath-bed locker storage, plush mattresses, reading lights, and even privacy curtains.
However, what makes the hostel great is life outside the rooms. There’s a drinking water cooler on every floor, plus a small, well-stocked kitchenette for whipping up quick meals. A common dining-cum-lounge is a great place to meet new people. Another great place to hang out is the rooftop with benches running along its side, where watching a Mumbai sunset while chugging a cold one is a great way to end the day. Last but not least, no one could enter the place sans their assigned key card, making for very safe and secure accommodation.
The Oberoi Mumbai
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Even after so many years, the 1973-built Oberoi Mumbai is still one of the best luxurious hotels in the city. The hotel lies in the heart of Nariman Point, the city’s business district, and right on the iconic Queen’s Necklace, which is the long curved stretch of Marine Drive. If you’re looking for luxury right by the sea, then it’s hard to find a hotel better than the Oberoi.
An elegant atrium lobby with sculptural water bodies, artwork, a red grand piano, and tall windows with panoramas of the sea set the tone at the hotel. The hotel boasts a laundry list of 24-hour services including personalized butlers, in-room dining, and the fabulously relaxing Oberoi Spa and fitness center. Guests can choose from a gamut of cuisines at the many restaurants, including a Michelin-star Indian one. Moreover, the hotel boasts of one of the first in-house luxury retail arcades in the city. The best feature is, undoubtedly the outdoor pool that even has a bar service for perfectly lazy days.
287 luxurious rooms include 70-odd suites that have great views of South Bombay or the Arabian Sea. The lavish rooms feature equally lavish and massive bathrooms, silk upholstery, and specially-commissioned lithographs and paintings. Moreover, double-glazed windows are thoroughly noise-canceling, while the blackout roller blinds ensure that you aren’t disturbed from a fitful sleep.
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
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Ideally located midway between Worli and Lower Parel is the sleek, 33-story Four Seasons Mumbai. The towering window-lined hotel is an excellent base for shopaholics for exploring the high-end boutiques and malls of Lower Parel, Mumbai.
The elegantly opulent hotel boasts a classic-cum-contemporary décor with tons of pale-wood paneling and mohair, ochre silks, and green accents. What is most impressive is the hotel’s legions of dedicated staff including chefs, concierges, mixologists, and more. A well-equipped gym and a yoga room are great for fitness fanatics who work out on vacations. Apart from two superb restaurants, the Four Seasons is most famous for its 33rd-floor rooftop bar Aer. It boasts not only amazing cocktails but also incredible sunset views of the city. Finally, a small spa offers exceptional massages while the open-air pool with sunbeds is the perfect relaxation spot.
All rooms, even the entry-level ones, boast plush velvet upholsteries, neutral hues, and deluxe bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs. Those looking to indulge should check out the suites, especially the 32nd-floor Presidential suite.
Taj Lands End
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Travelers looking for a groovy, contemporary experience will love the Taj Lands End in Bandra, which is easily the best hotel in the suburban Mumbai, India. Also, the 25-story hotel lies less than 200 meters from the sea and offers jaw-dropping views of the architectural marvel of Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Once you step into the lobby, Lands End whisks you away to another world with its massive space and gleaming floors. The staff is particularly knowledgeable when it comes to local tours and snippets about the city. Apart from an all-day cafe, the hotel even has Italian, Indian, and Chinese restaurants. Pamper yourself at the Jiva Spa, work out at the well-equipped fitness center, or laze the day away at the resort-style pool. At the end of the day, sip on a delicious sundowner at the rooftop Taj Club lounge with stunning views of the Arabian Sea.
With 493 rooms, guests at Lands End have a lot of choices when it comes to accommodations, all of which have great views of the Sea Link or the Arabian Sea. That said, the Sea Link views are more dramatic, so do make sure that you ask for those rooms. Apart from the usual bevy of Taj amenities, the rooms are contemporary with bathtubs in all of its plush bathrooms.
The Taj Mahal Palace
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There is no argument that the magnificent Taj Mahal Palace is the best luxury hotel to stay in Mumbai. The iconic hotel radiates old-world grandeur and ishas the best location in all of Mumbai, right next to the Gateway of India and overlooking the Arabian Sea.
What makes the hotel special is that it’s the first hotel from the Taj brand. The baroque hotel is reminiscent of a Rajput palace. The staff takes pride in working here, and the memorial dedicated to the brave hearts of the 2008 siege is as moving as it is beautiful. The hotel is home to what is unarguably SoBo’s best swimming pool, sprinkled with blue-and-white daybeds and chaise lounges. Cool it off the decadent spa or work off those Mumbai food calories in the fitness center. Its high tea is amongst the best in the city, as is its Asian restaurant, the Golden Dragon. Guests also have the choice of three other restaurants and two bars as well.
Accommodation at the hotel is divided into two wings; the contemporary tower rooms, and the original heritage ones. While the older heritage rooms are more authentic, it’s the newer ones that have the best views. That said, all the rooms are luxuriously furnished, with the bathrooms outsizing a studio apartment. While the hi-tech mod-cons are great, its the service offered by the hotel that truly makes staying here great.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars / Food Tours in Mumbai:
- Mumbai 4-hour Evening Street Food Tour: Mumbai is famous for its outstanding, lip-smacking street food. Go on a yummy jaunt and delve into the city’s best street foods.
- Hakkasan: Dig into authentic Cantonese fare at one of the best restaurants in town. What’s more, it’s one of Mumbai’s best Michelin-star restaurants.
- Bombay Canteen: make yourself comfortable in an old colonial bungalow and delve into modern twists on Mumbai’s regional specialties.
Recommended Activities In Mumbai:
- Mumbai – Private City Highlights Tour: Explore the best sightseeing spots of the city on this extensive, locally-guided 5-hour tour.
- Mumbai Temples and Caves Day Tour: This tour takes you on a tour of Mumbai’s northern suburbs, which is home to a magnificent Buddhist temple. It also takes you to some stunning rock-cut caves and monuments within what is the largest tropical forest in an urban zone, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
