Built in 1903, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai is India's first luxury hotel. Offering panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India, the hotel is a city landmark. The hotel offers 543 rooms including 54 suites, each adorned with original paintings and period furniture that exude an aura of old-world charm and elegance. The restaurants at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai offer distinctive dining experiences that cover the finest Indian and international cuisines - from casual, all-day eateries to Oriental, Japanese, Indian and Mediterranean fine dining. The hotel also houses the first licensed bar of Mumbai and also a beautiful sea-front restaurant for high tea and live music. Palace Services in the Palace Wing of the hotel add to the experience, where the butler plays the all important role of guide and assistant.
The lockdown had us question centrally air conditioned properties but Abode is a boutique hotel in Colaba that has split units in every room. This is the refurbished home of David Sassoon and just like every home, you are to leave your outdoor shoes at the threshold and wear comfy jute slip-ons. Luggage is thoroughly sterilised upon arrival and check in is completely digital.
The quaint Anglo-Indian furnishings (think teak, cane, copper, tin, bamboo, linen, porcelain) and unique room layouts is a refreshing change from the typical city hotel experience. We got the corner premium room filled with windows and sunlight overlooking Lansdowne Road, which, at night, you can see the entire moon through one of the windows while lying in bed (or while soaking in bath salts in your ensuite tub)!
The service is fantastic. Mr. Nilesh allowed us to make changes to our booking, gave us the best room, provided us with top notch breakfast (get the upma, trust him) and even a USB with movies to watch.
Other things I love: The entire hotel is smoke-free, no guests are allowed and you can order food in the rest of the day. Zero plastic hotel, locally sourced/recycled wood, cute earplugs and eye mask near the bedside accompanied with a Gandhi peace quote, a mini library. They also help donate unwanted clothes to charities.
This isn't our first stay and certainly won't be our last. It is our little-known getaway spot that has a special place in my heart.
10+
10+