Welcome to Backpacker’s Boutique. Every Sunday, this spot will feature a new travel blogger. Some weeks it will be a really fun interview about packing, fashion, and fitness so you can snoop inside their bags & lives a little bit and other weeks it’ll be a detailed luxury guide to a city the featured blogger/expat knows very well.
What makes Mumbai an ideal location for those looking for a luxury vacation?
Mumbai is the financial capital of India, home to Bollywood, the country’s glam film industry and houses some of the world’s most expensive real estate (which explains why accommodation is so pricey) and travellers with cash to splash will love it. While it isn’t big on ‘sights’ though it has some beautiful buildings, it’s got a great pulse, and offers hip dining options, swanky shops and it’s brimming with art and culture.
Gateway of India
What 5 star hotel is the best in your town?
No hotel is more impressive than the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Colaba. Inside the gorgeous building are sea facing rooms, crystal chandeliers, grand ballrooms, great restaurants and impeccable service. It has hosted some of history’s most well known figures (Gandhi, The Beatles, Barack and Michelle Obama!) and epitomizes old world decadence.
If you aren’t staying, spoil yourself by stopping by for high tea at Sea Lounge. In addition to finger sandwiches and little pastries, they have classic Indian street foods in perfectly petite portions.
What about boutique hotels? Which one would you recommend to friends or family?
Abode Boutique Hotel is a real gem. It opened a year ago and has only received rave reviews. They have superior luxury rooms with clawfoot bathtubs all the way to cosy basic rooms with shared toilets for those on a budget.
Abode is dripping with charm and has beautiful heritage tiled floors, art deco furnishings, a great library, a lovely cafe. It’s the little details. I couldn’t recommend it more.
Where are the best hang outs during the day?
Cafe Zoe in Lower Parel, as well as Birdsong Cafe and The Bagel Shop in Bandra, are my favorite places to work. They are great light-filled rooms with creative energy, good cuisine, and a mix of locals and foreigners.
Mumbai’s weather and lack of public spaces are a make outdoor activities a little bit tough but Mumbai has quite a few museums and contemporary art galleries to while away the day. Pick up the Mumbai Art Map for free at any of these locations and research what’s on before you go.
If design and heritage mean luxury to you, try and catch a movie at one of Mumbai’s art deco cinemas. Choose from single screens like Regal and Eros, or my personal favourite, the elegant Liberty Theatre!
What are the greatest restaurants in Mumbai for a large date night, and what are their best dishes?
For sophisticated fine dining, I adore The Table (Apollo Bunder Marg, Colaba). They keep things fresh and simple and I like getting a selection of their small plates. Their salads are exceptional and you should try the boneless chicken ‘wings’ and zucchini ‘spaghetti’ which have become their signature dishes.
Neel at Tote on the Turf (Racecourse, Mahalaxmi) makes delectable Indian food. You can’t go wrong with their kebabs, shorba and biryani with gucchi or morel mushrooms!
I also really enjoy Pali Village Cafe (Ambedkar Road, Bandra) for the ambience. The charming balcony is perfect for a date and I’m hella partial to the risotto and panna cotta.
How else can I get a dose of culture in the city?
There’s always something going on in Mumbai from classical ballet to stand up comedy!
For English theatre, check out the listings for NCPA and Prithvi Theatre (the latter has a lovely, relaxed outdoor cafe to enjoy a cup of tea or Irish coffee before the show) and to catch live music, the Blue Frog is the city’s go-to music venue. Check ticketing site bookmyshow.com for what’s on and where!
What are some of Mumbai’s greatest salons and spas?
I haven’t been myself but I have it on good authority that people love the Four Seasons spa and the L’Occitane spa Love of Spa.
Time for a great sunset view… where would you go?
If this means drinks, I head to Aer atop The Four Seasons in Worli. Mumbai’s magic hour is sublime and sunset happy hour runs from 530pm to 8pm so it can’t be beat for a glass of bubbly and panoramic views of the city and the sea.
Which club do you go to if you want to conclude the night in style?
Personally I think Mumbai’s clubs are highly overrated. However, many high-end restaurants across the city turn into party venues and the people are generally beautiful and interesting, the music is dance worthy and the gender ratio is good. I like bar nights at Olive, and Pali Bhavan in Bandra.
Related Questions
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What is unique in Mumbai?
City of 7 islands. Image Source: Initially, Mumbai was made up of 7 different islands – Colaba, Mazagaon, Little Colaba, Parel, Mahim, Isle of Bombay, and Worli. However, between the years of 1784 and 1845, British engineers brought all these 7 islands together and thereby unified it to be one large landmass.
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How can I spend one day in Mumbai?
- Marine Drive. Read more.
- Haji Ali Dargah. …
- Elephanta Caves. …
- Siddhivinayak Temple. …
- Juhu Beach. …
- Vastu Sangrahalaya Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- Taraporewala Aquarium. …
- Global Vipassana Pagoda.
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What is famous in Mumbai to buy?
Find here 15 Best Things to Buy From Mumbai:
- Spices. Apart from being the “Land of Diversity”, India is also described often as the “Land of Spices”. …
- Decor items. …
- Jewellery. …
- Sarees or block-printed fabric. …
- Art. …
- Retro Bollywood Posters. …
- Gateway of India Photographs and Postcards. …
- Lampshades.
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What is the famous thing of Mumbai?
Chowpatty Beach, Siddhivinayak Temple, Juhu Beach, Dharavi Slum, Worli Seaface, Haji Ali, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Aksa Beach, Versova Beach, Colaba Causeway Market, Chor Bazaar, Powai Lake, Kanheri Caves, Gorai Beach, Shivaji Park, ISKCON temple, Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai…
