Where to Stay in Mumbai

Our Favorite Hotels in Mumbai

• Top Hotel: Taj Mahal Palace
• Inexpensive Hotel: The Ferreiras
• A family-friendly option: InterContinental
• Hotel Pool: Taj Mahal Palace
• Near the airport: JW Marriott Sahar Airport
• Train Station: Residency Fort Hotel
•

• Astir of Paros

The Best Area to Stay in Mumbai

• Mumbai Lodging & Neighborhood Map

Home to over 22 million residents, India`s most populous city is a fascinating melting pot of cultures, languages, and people who have brought with them various faiths, cuisines, and customs from across this extraordinarily diverse nation. The original cluster of seven islands, later joined by bridges and land reclamation, was part of Hindu and Islamic ruling dynasties and then governed by an unremarkable Portuguese administration. The British then transformed Bombay (as it was formerly known) into a significant port and trading center, which soon also became India’s flashy and busy hub for finance, sports, and Bollywood films.

Some visitors are put off by touring Indian cities because of the crowds, pollution, traffic, and poverty, but Mumbai is India’s most appealing – and undoubtedly more than just a transit point for flights and trains to Goa. Although home to some of Asia’s largest slums, the city boasts abundant remnants of ancient and colonial history (which is only bettered by Delhi), pleasant beachside suburbs, and a range of bistros, boutiques, and bars to rival anywhere in Asia. There are, however, downsides: with a limited subway system (though the network is undergoing a massive upgrade), it can be difficult to get around; lodgings are among India’s most costly; the monsoon is particularly severe from June to September.

Near the famous Gateway of India monument, the historic Taj Mahal Palace hotel, and areas from the colonial era like Kala Ghoda and Fort, the narrow lanes of Colaba are jam-packed with guesthouses and other facilities for tourists. A short distance to the northwest, Marine Drive offers trendy restaurants, high-end hotels, and appealing Art Deco buildings, the second largest collection after only Miami, as well as views of the bay and refreshing breezes. This multi-lane esplanade (and parallel sidewalk, popular for walking and cycling) stretches to Chowpatty beach. This prime beach in the inner city is lively but not suitable for swimming. The best mid-range hotels are located at the nearby Kemps Corner. India’s premier beach in the suburbs is Juhu, which is almost as inviting as some beaches in Goa, with the added attraction that some hotels have actual beach frontage. Also convenient to the airport are Andheri East and Vile Parle East, adjacent suburbs filled with modern shops, mid-range and high-end hotels, and connected by the expanding metro service.

The Best Places to Stay in Mumbai

• Best Luxury Hotels in Mumbai
  The Taj Mahal Palace,St. Regis,Four Seasons,ITC Grand Central,InterContinental Marine Drive,Oberoi, and Trident Nariman Point are popular hotels located in Mumbai
• Best Boutique Hotels in Mumbai
  Abode Bombay • Gordon House
• Best Cheap & Midrange Hotels in Mumbai
  The FerreirasHotel Kemps CornerAstoria
• Best Family Hotels in Mumbai
  InterContinental Marine Drive – Oberoi – Grand Hyatt Hotel & Residences (near Airport)

Best Area in Mumbai for…

• Best Area in Mumbai for Beaches: Juhu
  The finest coastal area for bathing anywhere in India is nearly as appealing as some of the coastlines in Goa, but lacking the serene atmosphere and thatched cafes directly on the sand. Juhu can become unfeasibly crowded during festivals, public holidays, and weekends, but is delightfully peaceful at other times and provides a fine assortment of accommodations – some with direct sight of the shoreline which is forbidden by administrators in Goa. Adding to the attractiveness are the range of stylish bars and cafes, modest variety of water-based activities, and sun falls that suffer less from the occasional air pollution haze than those along Marine Drive.
• Area in Mumbai Ideal for Sightseeing: Colaba
  The comparatively tranquil and shaded lanes around this historic locale are lined with charming guesthouses, trendy bistros, bustling markets, and inviting boutiques (especially in back of the magnificent Taj Mahal Palace hotel). Along the waterfront promenade are found the historic Gateway of India monument (packed with Indian sightseers) and ferry terminal providing access to the astonishing Elephanta Island situated just offshore. Colaba requires either a lengthy walk or brief taxi ride from Kala Ghoda and the Fort area, both home to numerous museums, galleries, and extraordinary structures like the Gothic railway station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly known as Victoria Terminus).



• Most Popular Place in Mumbai for Shopping: Marine Drive
  .

Given the abundance of Mumbai`s continually growing middle class residing in the suburbs, there is no shortage of shopping mall options located outside the city center. However, more practical for visitors are the stylish boutique clothing stores, traditional jewelers, and other fascinating shops found along the narrow lanes of historic Colaba. For a more authentic shopping experience saturated in local culture, head to the incredibly expansive, diverse, and chaotic markets such as the 150-year-old Crawford Market situated about 800m inland from Marine Drive just north of the Fort area. Oriented towards community residents rather than tourists, explore for spices, fresh produce, jewelry, and antique reproductions, but negotiate prices vigorously

• Out of all areas in Mumbai, Juhu offers families the best environment.

To escape the crowded inner-city environments, noise, and hardship, and to minimize the inevitable pollution, heat, and traffic congestion, the expansive beach at Juhu offers almost as much appeal as some in Goa. The sand is wide and reasonably clean, the water is suitable for swimming, and some basic water-sports can be arranged. While highly busy during festivals, holidays, and weekends, it remains pleasantly quiet at other times. Providing a risk-free and engaging vitality rarely found in downtown areas of any Indian city, families would also value the cafés serving western (and Indian) cuisine, a superb supermarket offering fresh produce and imported goods, and short transfers to domestic or international airport terminals.

• Best Area in Mumbai for Food & Restaurants: Colaba
  Mumbai offers fabulous eating places varying from top hotels matching European cities in menus and prices to French-style bistros, Japanese teppanyaki restaurants, and family-friendly pizza joints. Many lie across the suburbs, so those around the historic inner city of Colaba provide more convenience. The narrow lanes (with comparatively less traffic) are home to charming coffee shops, old-fashioned cafés with clunky fans, trendy delicatessens, and hole-in-the-wall eateries selling local dishes such as tawa pulao (vegetarian fried rice) and fish thali (set meals in steel plates). Especially tempting is the variety along Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road).

• Best Area in Mumbai for Transportation: Andheri East
  .

With its numerous flyovers and notable bridges, the road infrastructure is arguably the most organized in India, but public transportation is poor (particularly for tourists). The subway system doesn’t link to the airport or Colaba and other areas where tourists may visit or stay, but is expanding rapidly to become more useful soon. Local buses and trains are impossibly crowded during peak hours and merely overwhelming at other times, and no auto-rickshaws are permitted anywhere south of Bandra. (The good news is that most taxis use their meters, and app-based Ola and Uber cabs are very popular.) Near the domestic and international airport terminals, connected by subway and accessible by auto-rickshaw, Andheri East offers numerous mid-range and high-end hotels.

• Best area in Mumbai for nightlife: Colaba
  Savvy businessmen and affluent students frequently visit the coffee shops, bistros, and bars along Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road). This extended thoroughfare which borders the popular base of Colaba is more convenient than the nighttime offerings in the outer suburbs where patrons are expected to dress formally and pay hefty entrance fees. One can also check out a Bollywood movie made in or around Mumbai at Colaba’s famous Regal Cinema (also a useful landmark). Bollywood films won’t feature English subtitles but are still an experience. Also, look out for cultural events and frequent local festivals.
• Top District in Mumbai for Ambiance & Culture: Kala Ghoda and Fort Area (near Colaba)
  British colonialists originally settled in the area still known as Fort, although the namesake building no longer exists. Thoughtless destruction centuries ago and extensive development since have ensured that very few remnants of pre-colonial history have survived (with the notable exception of the temples on Elephanta Island). The most appealing colonial-era galleries, museums, and other buildings are along or near Oval Maidan, an extended park frequented by local workers, courting couples, and boisterous boys playing cricket. The area also hosts several engaging festivals.

• Top Romantic Location in Mumbai: Juhu
  Few choose to enjoy their honeymoon or romantic getaway in Mumbai when the magnificent beaches of Goa are only an hour away by frequent and affordable flights. However, Juhu Beach in Mumbai is certainly worth considering: an extended shoreline that is the finest in any Indian city. While impossibly crowded (but particularly lively) during festivals, holidays, and weekends, it`s pleasantly quiet at other times and popular for long walks and beautiful sunsets. Some hotels are nearly on the sand, offering direct beach frontage not allowed by authorities in Goa, and there are also inviting cafés, trendy clubs, and a modest selection of water activities.
• Best region in Mumbai for newcomers: Marine Drive
  The large population, crowds, pollution, and poverty levels in India`s biggest city can overwhelm those with even significant travel experience. With the sole exception of traffic which is constant everywhere, visitors can minimize exposure to these issues by lodging slightly outside downtown. The waterfront esplanade and adjacent areas are ideal as hotels of varying quality and trendy cafés/bars are located there, and sea breezes help alleviate the heat and humidity. Only a brief taxi trip from sights near Colaba and Fort area, walking or cycling along Marine Drive to the inner coastal beach of Chowpatty is also a massive amount of fun. Remaining in the southern section of Marine Drive (i.e. in or around The Oberoi hotel) also helps avoid much of the congestion in the locality
• Safest district: Marine Drive waterfront
  The potential threats that exist in every Indian city can be substantially decreased by taking the standard safety precautions and remaining in this affluent inner urban suburb along the coastline. While traffic is nonstop, this esplanade is much calmer in the southern section (i.e. near The Oberoi hotel) and the back lanes are also well illuminated at night. Truthfully, the main danger anywhere in Mumbai may simply be crossing the road, so always remember: pedestrians do not have the right of way in India, aside from (generally) at a red traffic light.

The 5 Best Neighborhoods in Mumbai for Tourists

1. Colaba

At the southern conclusion of the peninsula, Colaba includes the area more formally known as Apollo Bandar. Near the iconic Gateway of India monument and historic Taj Mahal Palace hotel, the comparatively narrow, shaded, and tranquil lanes are packed with charming guesthouses, modern pizza joints, and stylish wine bistros. Frequent sea breezes add to the appeal during the worst of the heat and moisture. The disadvantages are the additional distance from the airport, the metro won’t start soon, and some down-and-outs do inhabit a few doorways at night. A longish walk via the extended Oval Maidan parkland are the neighboring areas of Kala Ghoda, home to several museums and galleries, and Fort, no longer with the namesake building but also scattered with colonial-era remnants.

• Best Luxury Hotel: Taj Mahal Palace
• Top-rated Boutique and Mid-range Hotels in Mumbai: Gordon House – Hotel Godwin – Harbour View Colaba – Abode Bombay
• Best Cheap Hotels: YMCA Colaba • Volga Plaza • Carlton Colaba

2. Marine Drive (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Marg)

Built on land that was reclaimed just 100 years ago, this wide esplanade with multiple lanes and shaded side streets offers accommodations ranging from 5-star hotels to guesthouses with lower price points. Stretching several kilometers from the more tranquil southern section near The Oberoi hotel to Chowpatty beach (see below), the road is bordered by fascinating Art Deco structures and accompanied by a path that is perfect for walking, cycling, and observing sunsets. Vehicle traffic is heavy but the refreshing sea breezes do help moderate the heat and humidity. Home to two international cricket stadiums, the area is also a brief taxi ride south to the historic Colaba area and within walking distance of the seemingly endless markets around Crawford Market.

• Top Luxury Accommodations: InterContinental Marine Drive – Oberoi – Trident Nariman Point
• Highlighted Boutique/Midrange Hotels: Ambassador • Astoria
• Best Inexpensive Hotels: Bentley – Sea Green – Chateau Windsor

3. Chowpatty & Kemps Corner

Located closer to downtown than Juhu (see below), but notably less appealing, is the inner-city beach of Chowpatty. While reasonably scenic and undoubtedly lively during festivals – and evenings when food stalls are set up – the sea is too contaminated for swimming. The lack of accommodation near the beach is surprising, but the neighboring residential area of Kemps Corner offers some mid-range hotels and tempting cafés and bars. Kemps Corner is also convenient to the major bus and railway stations and adjacent to Malabar Hill, Mumbai’s most affluent area.

Kimpton Marlowe • Harborside Inn • Aloft Seaport District
• Inexpensive Hotel Options: Hotel Sapna • Orient Regency

4. Juhu Beach

One of India`s premier coastal beaches provides as scenic, spacious, and inviting views as parts of Goa. Extremely crowded during holidays and festivals, and only somewhat crowded on weekends, this expansive locale is more pleasant in several aspects than downtown. Additionally, numerous hotels directly overlook the beach and the iconic sunsets are usually clear of haze. The food stalls and Indian families playing on the sand add to the appeal, and a few huts offer a basic selection of water activities. Juhu is also a more appealing option for passengers transferring from the nearby domestic and international airport terminals compared to Andheri East or Vile Parle East (see below).

• Top-Tier Accommodations: Ramada Plaza Palm Grove • JW Marriott Juhu • The Park
• Top Mid-Range and Boutique Hotels: Citizen • Sun-n-Sand Juhu Beach
• Inexpensive yet quality hotels include: Bloom and Sea Sands

5. Near the Airport – Andheri East & Vile Parle East

Adjacent to Juhu beach and much more spacious than downtown, these two suburbs are home to gleaming office towers, western-style shopping centers, and international-brand hotels that serve business travelers and transit passengers from the nearby domestic and international airport terminals. Unlike other sections of Mumbai popular with tourists, a metro line runs through both areas, part of an expanding system planned to connect with the airport and inner-city by 2024.

• Top High-End Hotels: JW Marriott Sahar Airport – Radisson Andheri MIDC – ITC Maratha Mumbai Airport
• Top-rated Boutique/Midrange Hotels: Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport • Orchid Vile Parle • Ginger