I am travelling alone to Mumbai in April for 6 nights and am looking for a hotel in the Colaba / Marine Drive area if poss. I am happy to pay up to $200 if nec but would prefer to pay less. Can anyone suggest a suitable hotel – esp. for a female alone? I spent a night in Mumbai in December last year and loved the city – the trip back is for more sightseeing / shopping etc. Do you think 6 nights is too long and will it be unbearably hot?

Thanks

I love Mumbai too - and its got greaqt shopping! In Colaba look at the Gordon House which you should get in around 100 I think. More expensive are the Hilton, the Taj and the President, all within few mins of each other. 6 nights is quite a bit - you could consider a couple nights in Goa. It will be hot.

Lyall, the best choice for you would be The Oberoi (www.oberoihotels.com). Write to them directly and ask for a quote (inclusive of 2-way airport transfers). The second choice is The Intercontinental Marine Drive (www.interconti.com). Note that they also have a hotel called Intercontinental Grand near the airport.

The tall tower next to The Oberoi is now called Hilton Towers, and that could be a third option.

Six days in Mumbai for sightseeing is an overkill. Perhaps, as someone else has suggested, a hop to Goa for a couple of days would be a good idea. Write to the Goa Marriott and see what they have on offer (www.goamarriottresort.com).

Thanks for your advice. Have checked out rates for these hotels - the Taj Mahal which is were I stayed last time have sold out their cheaper rooms taking it outside my budget. The Oberoi and Intercontinental are also over my $200 limit. I emailed the Hilton and they have offered a deal at $189 including breakfast in one of their Harbour View rooms. I read all the time about people obtaining special deals - is there a magic formula to try and negotiate a lower rate! I would happily stay at any of the hotels suggested but I want to stay within my budget to leave some money for shopping!! I stayed in Goa in December at the Marriott - is there anywhere else within easy reach of Mumbai I would go for a couple of days?

Decided to can the budget - have booked into the Taj in one of their Tower rooms with sea view.

Apart from shopping I want to do some sightseeing - things I didn't get a chance to do in December - like walk out to the Haji Ali mosque, visit the bazaars around Crawford Mkt, PofWales Museum, Elephanta Caves, Jain Temple etc. Would be grateful for any further suggestions - I do have 6 days after all!! - and the best way to get around the sights. Is it a good idea to have a guide as I will be on my own or just grab a taxi. Is it OK to wander around the various bazaars alone.

Thanks again.

You will be qute safe in the Bazaars alone but keep an eye on your belongings. There is a walking tour in Mumbai whcih you can google which can be quite fun depending on the weather. An overnight trip nearby that you can consider is Matheran and here you can stay at the www,neemranahotels,com property, Verandah in the Forest. Only problem is I am not sure it is a/c coz is a heritage building, check. Matheran is a nice place to be in the outdoors, go for some walks and the hotel is gorgeous. Another overnight option is to go and see the Ajanta Ellora caves at Aurangabad - needs 1 night each way train travel. IN Bombay do venture to bandra one day, wander the streets, see the St Mary Church, eat at Olive - Bandra is one of my favourite parts of Bombay and has a huge amount of charm which is different from South Bombay. For shopping another place you must visit is the Parel mill area - specifically Good Earth and other home decor shops at the Raghuvanshi Mills Complex and stores in the next door Big Bazaar complex - is also an eye opener to how much Bombay and India are changing.

Thank for your help with this. Will def make a trip to Bandra. Only two weeks today!

Hi
My husband,daughter and I stayed at the Heritage Hotel In Mumbai in JAN 2006.
While not 5 star, it was cerainly clean and comfortable.
the staff were extremely helpful, too.
Has anyone else had a positive experience here, too ?

Hello there..Namaste!
I too am a big Bombay fan and can recco a few properties that may fit your price!
In Colaba, by all means try the Gordon HOuse!..Fariyas is another option..If you do not mind something small and simple, two good and small hotels are also the Ascott and the Godwin.
iN the Marine Drive area, i am quite fond of Hotel Marine Plaza and have recco-ed it to many a fodorite. it is a lovely boutique property on Marine Drive with gorgeous sea views in the room and a lovely rooftop pool. The price here is certainly less than at the Hilton and Oberoi..u might also check out the Intercontinental, also on Marine Drive..
Enjoy, enjoy...And yes, April is mighty hot, but life goes on. Hopefully your hotel will have a nice pool/spa to do some post shopping rest and relaxation..
Take care and feel free to drop me a line..Namaste..

Hi, I am from Mumbai, and I think tht 6 days in mUmbai might be a little too much...u shud go to one of the nearby hill stations like Matheran, Mahableshwar or if u intersted in going to some beaches then Kashid Beach, Kihim beach is not a bad option...there is decent accommodation available at these places...if u want more info on these places, pls feel free to write back.

Bhavika
http://fractalenlightenment.blogspot.com/

When I visit mumbai I usually stay at Taj-Mahal, or the oberoy. Both are the finest hotel you might have in Mumbai

Johny
www.allaboutphuket.com