Stay…
Budget
Juhu Residency Boutique Hotel: This hotel is a favourite with budget-conscious travellers. Its modern decor, comfortable rooms and friendly staff all leave an impression, but it’s the location that you’ll love with the famous Juhu beach within walking distance.
www.juhuresidency.com
Luxury
The Leela Kempinski: Be prepared for some true Indian hospitality in a spectacular setting. The Leela is a luxury hotel brand in India and this hotel in Mumbai represents it well, with fine-dining restaurants and bars, lush landscaped gardens, waterfalls and lotus pools, and regal rooms. It’s right next to the airport and while main city attractions are a drive away, you’ll love this escape.
www.theleela.com
Eat…
Budget
WTF!: With Indian and Hollywood movie posters, giant bulbs and a world music soundtrack, this restaurant and bar is like no other. There’s an outside courtyard area with a bar on a handcart, while inside you’ll find an American diner-styled area and food is simple but with a quirky twist.
Hotel Dreamstorm, Ground Floor, Third Road, near Khar Station.
Expensive
Pure: Organic is the name of the game, with farm-fresh ingredients used in every course. Steaming broths, citrus zests and different oils all end up making eating here not just a healthy, but delicious affair. The setting impresses too, with mother-of-pearl wall accents and marble flooring. Stylish. Taj Lands End, Band Stand, Bandra (West).
Must see…
The Gateway of India that was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. Completed in 1920, it remains significant in the hearts of Indians everywhere as when British rule ended in 1947, English troops left through the Gateway. There’s plenty of vendors around the area peddling everything from souvenirs to tea. Find it on the waterfront in Colaba, south Mumbai.
Must do…
Go street shopping. There are dozens of pavement vendors that line the Colaba Causeway in Bandra, or you could take a taxi to the famous ‘Chor Bazaar’ or Thieves Market, that sells everything from cheap shoes to clothes.
Flight time
Two and a half hours.
Getting there
Gulf Air flies via Bahrain for around Dhs 2,300 return.
www.gulfair.com
Exchange rate*
Dhs1 = 12 INR
* Approx exchange rate
Time Out recommends
The Kala Ghoda Art Precinct. It gets its name (Black Horse) from a bronze equestrian statue of King Edward VII, which existed there during the colonial era. This cultural hub is where you can find great museums and art galleries, including the Mumbai National Gallery of Modern Art.
www.ngmaindia.gov.in
