Mumbai Hotel Tips by Tijavi

Taj President Hotel: No shredder in a business hotel?! Taj President Hotel Review

I was expecting that a business hotel should at least have one working shredder. But this one did not have. The good thing about it was that the staff was kind enough to offer me two options: (1) to refer me to their sister hotel, Taj Mahal, some 10 mins from my hotel; and (2) for the staff to manually shred the extra files himself. While the first option sounded a bit inconvenient, having to carry loads of paper to Taj Mahal, the second option provided a much needed comic relief after a long day of meetings.

To finish the story, I offered myself a third option - shred the paper myself, manually, in the comfort of my room :-)

Unique Qualities: Staff's offer to manually shred the document himself was a comical shot at guest service, to say the least.

Address: Cuffe Parade, Mumbai

Comparison: about average

Directions: In south Mumbai, near Colaba shopping area

Phone: 91 22 5665 0808

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Oberoi Mumbai: (Good) Old Oberoi Trident Nariman Point Review

The Oberoi Mumbai is Oberoi's flagship hotel (adjacent is the Hilton Towers, which used to be the known as Oberoi Towers). Situated in Nariman Point, Mumbai's traditional business district (Bandra Kurla up north is posing a very serious challenge to Nariman's pre-eminent position as a business location), the hotel has a fantastic view of the Arabian Sea - where sea-facing rooms create an ocean-liner effect.

Plus there's much more to love in this hotel - the atrium lobby is amazing, the high-ceiling rooms are tastefully furnished, the separate tub and shower areas spell convenience (and less mess and chances of slipping while having a shower), the exotic toiletries (read: sandalwood soaps) are something you should ask for more (to take home) :-)

There is only one area I wish the hotel could improve on: the breakfast buffet spread, although you're free (that is of course if free breakfast comes as part of your package) to order al la carte.

Unique Qualities: The hotel remains a top choice for business travelers (plus those with money to burn!) for it's strategic location (that is of course if most of your meetings are within and/or around Nariman Point), superior service (read: 24-hr butler service), and great rooms.

Plus their 24-hour business center has a shredder :-)

Address: Nariman Point Mumbai India 400021

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: It's in Nariman Point, at the tip of the Queen's Necklace (Bombay's more exotic, well, less grand) version of Shanghai's The Bund.

Phone: 91 22 5632 5757

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.oberoimumbai.com/oberoimumbai.asp?hotelcode=TXL-OB-HBBOMOB&hl_id=1