Where to stay in Mumbai?

December 14, 2005 8:32 AM

What part of Mumbai should we try to stay in?

We'll be in Bangalore for four days, and then Mumbai for four days or so. We've had a hard time figuring out what the different areas of Mumbai would be and where one is likely to stay.

We've never been to India; we feel somewhat cautious about the whole thing. We're not jet-setters or global party kids; we're not intrepid backpackers. We're tourists!

Specific recommendations are fine, of course, but even just some ideas on what the different regions of the city are that one might find hotels and so on would be wonderful.

posted by stevil to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

email riffola. : >
posted by amberglow at 8:37 AM on December 14, 2005

amberglow - I don't understand
posted by stevil at 8:50 AM on December 14, 2005

Longtime Metafilter user riffola. From Mumbai.
posted by TimeFactor at 9:00 AM on December 14, 2005

South Mumbai is preferable. Which is anything Worli or more South. You'll find decent hotels in most parts. Avoid anything north of Andheri.
posted by Gyan at 9:17 AM on December 14, 2005

Mumbai is a large city with the largest population in a metropolitan area, so it's going to be more crowded than you are used to. With that in mind, I would recommend avoiding the local trains (both Central Railway and Western Railway) for intra-city commuting because not only will it be crowded, but also as foreigners you'll be targets for pick-pockets. Also most likely you'll end up taking a taxi or rickshaw once you are off the train, it's just less headache to avoid trains.

The BEST buses (dark red) run all over th city, and cover a larger area, again they will be crowded, and you have to beware pick-pockets. Do try and travel in a double decker bus along Marine Drive once, sit at the top, it's fun.

As for where to stay, I'd recommend either the Oberoi (new or old, they are side by side) located at Nariman Point, or the Taj Mahal (located near Gateway of India), these two are very popular hotels with Europeans and Americans. They are five star hotels so they will be a bit expensive compared to other hotels. The advantage is that you get are staying in South Mumbai, close to most of the fun places in Bombay. Other options are The Ambassador. There are a few hotels in the northern section of Mumbai but you'll waste a lot of time and money travelling to south Bombay, so factoring that in, especially time since you ought to expect LA style gridlocks, it makes sense to stay at the southern end of the city.

As for the layout of the city: Everything south of Worli is considered South Mumbai, everything in between Worli and Mahim is central Mumbai, and north of Mahim is North Mumbai aka the suburbs, although still very much within the city limits. You usually want to stay on the western side of the city, the easter side is mostly ports and industrial areas.

Places to visit:

Chowpatty Beach, it’s crowded but fun. Marine Drive at daytime and night (you'll most likely see this while travelling around in the city, so there's no special trip needed), Chowpatty is at Marine Drive's northern end, Oberoi is at the southern end, it's basically a semi-circular road right by the sea, and it looks great at night and heck any time of the day. It is crowded during rush hours.

Gateway of India, near the Taj Mahal hotel, Elephanta Islands, you can take a boat from Gateway of India to the islands, spend part of the day there looking at the caves, etc.

Breach Candy for good quality shopping needs, such as clothes, gifts, etc. Amarsons is one of the stores that my family has been going to for over 25 years.

You can also hit the markets such as Crawford Market, Buleshwar for good and cheap goods, just know it's in the older part of the city, so there are narrow streets and crowding.

The museum, the art gallery, Fort, Akbarali's (dry fruits and nuts, and other such stuff), are all in the Fort area, Victoria Terminus (VT) now known as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) is a lovely old station, again in the same area. A lil west of it is Churchgate, where you'll also find the Azad Maidan, where the "Quit India Movement" was launched by Gandhi. The two cricket stadiums of note are also in this area.

There are a whole lot of other places to visit, it's a big city, feel free to explore, ask locals for recommendations, etc.

I'm currently in NYC, otherwise I'd be happy to meet up with you and show you around town.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Hope you have a grand time, I love Mumbai, if you've been to NYC, you'll find it somewhat familiar in terms of hustle and bustle.
posted by riffola at 11:12 AM on December 14, 2005

We stayed at the Hotel Godwin for 2 nights last month -- I think it's a 3 star. Beds were really comfy. Clean, rooms not huge, but adequate. Helpful desk staff. Brkfst was included and was OK. It's in Colaba, about a mile south of the Taj.

Be sure to have lunch at the little place behind the Taj called the Bagdadi Cafe. Great food.
posted by nancoix at 1:01 PM on December 14, 2005

Stevil, Bangalore is my hometown, so if you have any specific questions, email me.
posted by dhruva at 4:10 PM on December 14, 2005