11 Most Expensive Hotels in Mumbai

The City of Dreams, Maximum City, the Financial Capital of India, India’s most expensive city; Mumbai’s sobriquets and nicknames are endless – and apt. From hipster enclaves and hidden temples to the furious energy of India’s premier restaurants and nightlife, the city’s juxtapositioning is spellbinding. What makes it all the more interesting is that Mumbai is home to some of the country’s most expensive stays. The most expensive hotels in Mumbai range from modern versions of century-old properties to slick, 21st-century urban escapes. Not only are they luxurious properties, but they also include some amazing boutique ones. Plus, they’re spread across the city, from art districts to business hubs, have the best in-house facilities, and even offer curated experiences for exploring the city.

So, whether you’re looking to stay in a hotel with a swanky spa or a temporary abode in what is the country’s first five-star hotel, Mumbai has something for everyone. Here are the Maximum City’s most exquisite and expensive hotels.

Why don’t you start by checking out the top things to do in Mumbai?

Taj Mahal Tower

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American architect Melton Bekker-designed Taj Mahal Tower sits in Colaba’s historic waterfront district alongside the famously fabulous Taj Mahal Palace. In fact, Gateway of India views are better from here than anywhere else—except for the Taj Mahal Palace, maybe. While the overall look is contemporary, Indian design elements give it character.

Besides the legions of staff that flit by everywhere and address your every need, the amenities at this Taj property are top-notch – understandably so. The centerpiece is the huge, sparkling garden pool over in the neighboring Taj Mahal Palace, where you’ll see peeps indulging in free poolside yoga every morning. The J Wellness Circle Spa even has a traditional Ayurveda sanctuary, and it’s hard to believe that you’re on the edge of what is one of the most bustling cities in the world. That said, the fine dining experiences that both hotels share are superb. While Masala Kraft and Wasabi by Morimoto are already well-known, the Sea Lounge takes the cake. Not only does it offer the best breakfast setting ever, but it also serves what is possibly the best high tea in the world. Think kaleidoscope of freshly made Indian chaat, cakes, and whatnot.

What’s interesting about the rooms and suites here is that they all have arch-framed balconies. Think contemporary interiors with classically Indian bent, richer-hued textiles popped up against neutral colors. While all suites face the sea, even some entry-level rooms have sea views—the best in the city. Entry-level rooms cost around INR 30,000 (USD 360), but the Apollo Suite, the pinnacle of it all, costs INR 70,000 (USD 840).

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

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The pleasing autumnal theme of the lobby sets the tone at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, which sits in the middle of one of the city’s business hubs and next to the airport. However, the interiors and the vibe are far from clinical, whether it’s the rooms or the rest of the property.

The choices for food enthusiasts and gourmands are particularly great at this tastefully designed property. Between them, the lobby-level all-day JW Cafe for food and the AUTM – JW Lounge for cocktails practically serve everything you could ever want from a vacation day. That said, there’s also Romano’s, which is famed for its Italian fare and Sunday brunch. And for those who don’t want to leave the comfort of their rooms, there’s Marriot Bonvoy on Wheels, which delivers delicious food right to your abode. Interestingly, the Spa by JW is the first from the brand in all of Asia Pacific and even boasts a private jacuzzi for couples, besides treatment rooms, steam, and sauna rooms.

Don’t underestimate the rooms and suites at this hotel; they look out to the city and the hotel pool too. However, the most intriguing rooms with airport views offer a unique take on airport views but without all the noise, thanks to the soundproofed windows. So, it’s not surprising that while its entry-level rooms cost INR 16,000 (USD 192), the Presidential Suite, which is the pinnacle of luxury, costs INR 75,000 (USD 900).

Trident Nariman Point

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The 33-floor Trident Nariman Point probably has the best views of Mumbai’s famed ‘Queen’s Necklace,’ the scenic Marine Drive. On the inside, the interiors are absolutely five-star, with gleaming surfaces, high ceilings, big-league floral arrangements, and wall-to-wall plate glass. The lobby, with its glistening marble floor, a relaxed armchair-filled bar, and a grand piano where a pianist can be seen every evening, is particularly a favorite.

The hallmark at Trident is excellent service, which is why we see legions of staff just about everywhere. Moreover, they pay great attention to detail and care for your whims and needs with charm and alacrity. The concierge can arrange everything from restaurant bookings to local guided tours. That said, the amenities go toe-to-toe with the service, with the highlight being the lovely raised seafront pool. Plus, there’s even a large fitness center, a great spa, and a beauty and hair salon. Finally, there are two restaurants and bars, India Jones and Frangipani, the latter being the garden-side restaurant where a lavish breakfast buffet is served.

Even the entry-level rooms are fabulous, but there’s nothing like the sea-facing rooms and suites that boast the most beautiful vistas over Marine Drive. This is especially truer since they have huge plate-glass windows with the most wonderful views. While standard rooms cost INR 30,000 (USD 360), the Trident Special Suite costs as much as INR 100,000 (USD 1,200). Furthermore, the price of the Presidential Suite, the priciest stay in the house, isn’t even listed anywhere!

InterContinental Marine Drive

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Located a five-minute drive from Trident right on the Queen’s Necklace, Intercontinental Marine Drive quietly impresses. It offers the quintessential Mumbai experience – excellent location, sweeping Marine Drive views, and even rooftop dining. As you step inside, a soothing sense of calm takes over, thanks in part to the neutral palette with pops of turquoise.

The standout here is the rooftop lounge Dome, which is unlike other rooftop spots in South Mumbai as it sits on the eighth floor. So, you aren’t sky high but rather close to the ground, watching life on Marine Drive pass by, complete with tasty bites, craft cocktails, and a swanky ambiance. Another rare feature of Mumbai is the rooftop pool right next to it. A 24-hour fitness center and two other restaurants, a bistro noted for its all-day breakfast and wood-fired pizzas, and a Mughal-inspired restaurant complete the amenities.

With just 59 rooms that are more spacious than many other Mumbai hotels, the hotel feels intimately luxurious. While they all have marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and bespoke Agraria bath products, the bay windows with the views are the highlight. In fact, booking a waterfront stay is the best way to get the most out of staying here. Standard rooms begin at a cool INR 40,000 (USD 480), and the Luxury Suite costs INR 100,000 (USD 1,200).

The Leela

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When you step into the world of The Leela, it’s hard to imagine that the buzzing Mumbai Airport is just minutes away. And why not? This hotel boasts a wealth of natural beauty with lush and landscaped gardens, lotus-speckled fountains, and waterfalls with birds flying around. Since it dates back to the 1980s, the hotel’s design blends combine Indian motifs, artifacts, and even classical Indian musicians with five-star tropes like fresh flower arrangements.

The 11 acres of gardens are the highlight here, and being surrounded by greenery in the middle of an urban jungle is very relaxing. You can take that relaxation further by enjoying a massage or a treatment at the excellent spa or getting a blowdry at the hair and beauty salon. While there’s a fitness center, many travelers love Leela’s knowledgeable concierge, who arranges restaurant bookings, guides, local tours, and more. That said, the hotel’s eight restaurants are the highlight, which includes Indian fine-dining restaurant Jamavar (with a Michelin-starred sister restaurant in Mayfair, London). Besides that, there’s a Chinese one, two serving international cuisine, and a Six Degrees bar overlooking the garden for drinks. It’s why it’s one of the best hotels in Mumbai Airport.

With close to 400 rooms across 3 categories, travelers have their pick of the lot here. While the entry-level but spacious Premier rooms and even the Royal Club rooms are great, the 30 suites come with dedicated butler service. Rooms begin at INR 20,000 (USD 240), but the suites cost much more. While the Junior Presidential Suite costs around INR 150,000 (USD 1,800), the Maharaja Suite is all the more expensive.

Sofitel Mumbai BKC

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It might sit in what is one of Mumbai’s most clinical-looking business districts. But what the Sofitel Mumbai BKC lacks in location, it makes up for it in both substance and style. This glitzy and contemporary AccorHotels outpost blends Indian and French beautifully. So, you’ll find Indian paisley patterns on rich purple carpets and bespoke artwork blending Hindu temples and Parisian icons. Every inch is Instagrammable, like the sandstone stupas in the lobby and the ornate chandeliers akin to the 1920s flapper dresses.

Sofitel has thoughtfully designed its amenities, keeping in mind that travelers might not have much to do when they step out of the property. On the inside, though, it’s another story. The star is the welcome retreat of an outdoor pool, which offers respite from all the heat and humidity. The beautiful and decadent spa is another self-care destination, with an excellent treatment menu and fantastically serene interiors ideal for relaxation and pampering. The staff is exceptional, with the concierges possessing knowledge that extends beyond the suburbs. Of the three restaurants and two bars, the North Indian fine dining space Jyran is the absolute best.

In keeping with their French heritage, the digs here boast a boudoir vibe, with rich purple fabrics and frosted glass and black marble bathrooms. The rainshower, deep soaking tub, and fragrant French Note bath products make it the ultimate space to relax. While entry-level rooms cost INR 11,000 (USD 132), the Imperial Suite, which is the best in the place, costs a cool INR 250,000 (USD 3,000).

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai

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The sleek window-lined Four Seasons Mumbai towers over the commercial South Mumbai hubs of Worli and Lower Parel. It’s a shopper’s paradise, with many of Worli and Lower Parel’s high-end boutiques and malls right next door. This 33-storeyed space is opulent without being flashy, supplying you with an upscale chic five-star experience. Since it spreads upwards rather than sideways, the hotel feels remarkably intimate for a Mumbai five-star.

Everywhere, you’ll see legions of attentive staff, from chefs and waiters to mixologists and concierges. The large third-floor open-air pool on the sunbed-lined deck is a gorgeous scene, all the better to unwind and relax. You’ll love the small but exclusive spa that offers excellent facials, massages, and treatments, as well as the well-equipped gym and small yoga room. Pan-Asian San Qi boasts excellent food and a glass wall with excellent lush greenery views, but it’s the 33rd-floor open-air rooftop bar Aer that takes the cake. The best bit? The hotel offers takeaways, in-room dining, and even light meals on the pool deck. That’s why it’s one of the best hotels in Mumbai.

Even entry-level rooms boast freestanding bathtubs, costing around INR 20,000 (USD 240). Moreover, the sweeping views from the higher-up level rooms are amazing. That said, suites have the most space, with the priciest suite in the place, the Presidential Suite, costing INR 500,000 (USD 6,000).

Taj Lands End

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Nestled in a picturesque, upscale corner of Bandra is Taj Lands End. The 25-storeyed hotel is a great way to experience luxury in Mumbai’s suburbs. Tucked just 200 meters from the sea, it offers absolutely unique views of the famous Bandra Worli Sea Link. Not only is it a 10-minute walk to the 100-year-old Mount Mary Church, but you’ll also see Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan’s mansion on the way here; look out for the constant stream of gawking groupies taking selfies outside it.

From a knowledgeable concierge to the housekeeping staff to even the doorman, this is Taj’s hospitality at its best. Industry captains usually head to the exclusive top-floor Taj Club Lounge, which has glorious Sea Link and Arabian Sea views. But the rest of the hotel is no less impressive, like the lobby with its huge atrium and gleaming floors. You can spend the entire day lounging by the large resort-style pool fringed by palms and fronting the Arabian Sea. Later, follow it up with a massage or a treatment at the J Wellness Circle Spa. Finally, six bars and restaurants, including a Chinese place, an Indian fine dining one, and an outdoor bar by the pool, complete the offerings here.

Close to 500 rooms and suites over 25 floors are divided into 8 categories, all of them sharing great views. Like most things in life, the views get better the higher we go, and they vary across Arabian Sea/Bandstand views and Sea Link ones. While entry-level ones cost INR 20,000 (USD 240), the sprawling Presidential Suite costs a whopping INR 500,000 (USD 6,000).

St. Regis

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St. Regis is located in one of Mumbai’s tallest skyscrapers, halfway between the historic Colaba district and the trendy Bandra. It boasts spectacular views of the Arabian Sea and the racecourse, allowing shopaholics seamless access to the gleaming, multi-storeyed Phoenix Palladium, Mumbai’s most exclusive and luxurious shopping mall. A foreboding entrance with a lift takes you to the 9th-floor Great Hall, where a sweeping staircase, a tinkling piano, and magnificent chandeliers exude grandeur and opulence. And that vibe of ostentatious luxury continues throughout.

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Amenities

The excellent facilities here include perhaps what is the sexiest swimming pool in all of Mumbai. Imagine a vast expanse of water that looks like it’s cantilevered from the 10th floor, fringed by palm trees, plush loungers, and stunning city views. What’s more, there’s mall access, a spa, and a gym on the same floor as the pool, making it a true wellness space. Moreover, the service is equally excellent, as there’s an efficient butler for every guest, from delivering tea/coffee on demand to taking care of emergency laundry. The best bit? Thanks to the eight restaurants and bars, you could trot all over the world without ever leaving the hotel. 

Rooms 

Since this is one of Mumbai’s tallest towers, most of the 400-odd rooms and suites boast excellent views. These range from the city skyline and the verdant Mahalaxmi racetrack to the curving coast and the Arabian Sea, thanks to the huge picture windows. The romantic mood lights, bronze and gold hues with the regal red accents, sleek mod-cons, and marble bathrooms aside, all rooms have an ultimate dollop of luxury – a butler. While the entry-level rooms cost INR 37,000 (USD 445), the Presidential Suite costs a whopping INR 700,000 (USD 8,400).

The Oberoi Mumbai

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The iconic Oberoi Mumbai stands tall at the southern tip of the city, right on Marine Drive, a.k.a. the Queen’s Necklace. It continues to live up to its reputation of being one of the best hotels in the world with its fantastic location, superb views of the Arabian Sea, spacious and elegant suites, and excellent service. Plus, it’s surrounded by Mumbai’s glittering business district and elegant Art Deco architecture.

When you enter the atrium lobby, with its red grand piano and huge windows overlooking the sea, you’ll be impressed by the hotel’s understated elegance. It’s also peppered with plush and contemporary seating, sculptural water bodies, and original artwork.

Amenities

The Oberoi’s hallmark is flawless and professional 24-hour service. Now, that includes personalized butler service featuring female butlers for solo female travelers! The outdoor elevated pool is perfect for escaping Mumbai’s heat and humidity since it has bar service. You can follow it up with a visit to the Oberoi Spa and Fitness Centre. Or, you could head out for a tour of Mumbai that the 24-hour concierge can arrange easily. Did you know that the Oberoi is home to one of the first in-house luxury retail arcades in Mumbai? Yes. That said, the dining options are the highlight here. There’s everything from contemporary Indian cuisine at Ziya to the Italian Vetro, which has an attached wine library. A delicatessen, a champagne lounge, two bars, and an all-day dining space round up the dining offerings.

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Rooms 

Close to 300 rooms, including 73 suites, boast either views of the city or expansive of Marine Drive and the Arabian Sea. Do check out the silk fabrics, mother-of-pearl cabinets, specially commissioned lithographs and paintings, and the freestanding bathtubs in the massive bathrooms. The double-glazed windows and the blackout roller blinds are a blessing against the light and Mumbai street noise. The entry-level rooms cost INR 40,000 (USD 480), while the Kohinoor and Golconda Suites cost the most – INR 750,000 (USD 8,980)!

The Taj Mahal Palace

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Sitting at the top of this list is one of the most expensive hotels in India, The Taj Mahal Palace. It boasts the best view in all of Mumbai—that of the Gateway of India and the waters of the Arabian Sea. It cossets its guests in old-fashioned, well-heeled grandeur, which is why generations have celebrated many of their life’s milestones here. So, it’s more than just the best luxury hotel in Mumbai—it’s part of its beating heart.

It might be the flagship and the very first Taj hotel of the group, but it doesn’t feel like it’s part of any chain. It’s an ornate and Baroque version of a Rajput palace and was a fitting reply by founder Jamsetji Tata, who was denied access by authorities to the then-top hotel in Mumbai. And ever since it welcomed its first guest way back in 1903, the Palace has been special.

Amenities

As soon as you step into the palatial hotel, you begin to get the breadth of facilities and a sense of space. For one, the hotel has the absolute best swimming pool in South Mumbai. It sits right in the heart of the hotel and is fringed by lush greenery and comfy daybeds under white parasols. Moreover, the service is phenomenal, with the staff exuding a palpable sense of joy and pride about working here. The sense of community is evident when you see the memorial to those who lost their lives in the 2008 terrorist siege, including Lucy, the hotel’s dog. That said, the dining scene here is exemplary, especially since it has the best high tea in the whole city. That, along with three other restaurants and two bars, round out the dining choices, which range from modern Indian cuisine and Asian to Eastern Mediterranean.

Rooms 

While the Taj Mahal Tower rooms are more contemporary, the Palace boasts original Heritage rooms with heavy drapes on smaller windows and old-fashioned décor. However, they also boast updated mod-cons like flatscreen TVs and marble bathrooms with double vanities and deep-soaking bathtubs. While even entry-level rooms cost a whopping INR 43,000 (USD 520), the Tata Suite, which is one of the most expensive rooms in the country, costs a cool INR 12,00,000 (USD 14,400).

Who started the first luxury hotel in Mumbai, and when?

The founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, established the Taj Mahal Palace in December 1903, making it not just the first Taj property but also Mumbai’s first luxury hotel.

Which is the most luxurious hotel in Mumbai’s suburbs?

That would be Taj Lands End, which is the second-best Taj property in the city after the Taj Mahal Palace.

Is there a seven-star hotel in Mumbai?

That would be the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which is famed for its opulent and luxurious accommodations.