Monday 2 June 2014

Exploring Mumbai hotels

Scenery from 2012: - Ok, my friend said: - You are sure you are moving to BombayI nodded. She looked at me, still with the what-on-earth-are-you-thinking expression on her face. She had moved to my country, and now I was telling her that I was moving to hers. Finally, she smiled: - Ok, you go to Gateway of India, and then you go for tea at the Taj Mahal Hotel, ok? I smiled back. Sure, I could do that.

And almost 2 years down the road: here I am, sipping tea at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and with it, sending some warm thoughts to my friend. At The Hotel. Not staying. Just visiting. Because - we don't do that do we? Hotel-ing in our home town? Yet, surprisingly often, I have found myself -  in a hotel here lately.

For 2 reasons: 1. That's where some of my leaving friends spend their last few Mumbai nights, after they have packed up their house, and before they are flying out. So: a natural place to drop by for a last coffee /drink /hug. 2. Some writings I have been doing lately, has brought me the fortunate task of researching various hotels around the city. Oh, let me tell you: hotel-ing in India.... Wow. New adventures await also for you experienced hotel-ers out there.

Take Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. From 1903, the first grand landmark in Bombay harbor, built 21 years before Gateway of India. Walking into that hotel is like traveling back in history..

I was impressed to find out how they, through 110 years, also have managed to renew the hotel. In 1972, India's first coffee shop opened, they were the first to serve Bombay street food in their fine dining restaurant and India's first Japanese restaurant opened here. As I sip my tea and look out the window at the Gateway of India, the sea and the colorful boats, a feeling of grandness and comfort overwhelms me.. I like how they maintain the history, and at the same time seems to keep an eye out for new trends and new ideas.

Well. I finish my tea, take my bag and wander off through the long hallways, already with the next hotel lined up in front of me. But, I have to admit that I have developed a soft spot for the nostalgic atmosphere of this place. But let's see what comes up next.. (and PS: my opinions are mine and mine alone. No sponsored tea this time:-) )


And then.

As I sit in the car, going home, forming fancy sentences about the hotels in my mind, being all focused on ideas on how the places will appeal to tourists... I look up and I look out the window. And there, hanging on to the back of the car next to me: 3 boys. The little one is struggling. I can see he is holding on so tight. Its like his hands are slipping. And all of a sudden, my hotels are wiped off my mind, gone with the wind, and all I can think of is: please please don't let them fall off, please don't let them fall down...

Oh, Mumbai my Mumbai -

- You take me on an emotional roller coaster Every Single Day...

Have a wonderful week ahead dear reader and thanks for following:-)

PS: By the way - do you have a favorite hotel? In Mumbai or elsewhere? Please share! 

39 comments:

  1. Its such an addictive city, Eli. Btw, have u tried the beef fry at Baghdadi near Bade Miya..small place but totally yummy-licious:)

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    1. It so is, Vishal! No, but noting it down now, as we speak -- foodie as I am.. Will check out- thanks for the tip:-)

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  2. I am amazed at how you have adjusted with this city... Yes, all our metros throw many a highs and lows on a daily basis...Nice, luxury hotel on one side and the boys piling up dangerously...BTW,were you not supposed be heading back ?

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Jayanta:-) Yup, but still a couple of weeks in Mumbai, and then vacation awaits...

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  3. Eli, this was quite a lovely read. I have been to Mumbai only once - for 3 days, and of course the Taj Mahal Hotel was a must-visit on my list! It was so magnificent, I loved roaming around the hallways and the shops and everywhere. Didn't have tea, but enjoyed a marvelous cold coffee with ice-cream :) And yes Mumbai like most Indian cities is a great study in contrasts, maybe Mumbai is much more than others in some ways.
    As for some of the hotels where I have enjoyed staying...well, in the last few years the best one I experienced was not even a hotel, it is a village eco-resort in Kutch area of Gujarat, called Sham-e-Sarhad (translated as Evening on the Border). Situated very close to India-Pak border, in the Rann of Kutch (White desert), it was a great place to stay in the middle of nowhere. You should check it out sometime :)

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    1. Aaawaw, thank you dear Beloo for sharing your Mumbai memories:-) So enjoyed to hear about it. And thanks for the tip. I have noted it down, and if (when) I go there I will visit- the best one for you- well, then I suppose it is pretty awesome:-) Big hugs your way

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  4. I have lots of favorites, Eli as my job involved a lot of travel. But what I really love are the local sights. The one you described is scary and I would have had my heart in my mouth too.

    The Taj is an iconic beauty!

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    1. Thank you for sharing Vidya:-) Always so happy to see you here:-) Hugs, dear

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  5. The idea of visiting hotels in the home town is a very appealing one, Eli. I admire the Taj Mahal hotel for various reasons, one being its towering majesty. Our recent trip to the city was full of walking down that stretch.

    Those three kids are safe, I hope.

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    1. So true - hope you had a good time in Mumbai:-) And thanks for sharing your memories:-) So happy to see you here dear Shailaja- hugs your way:-)

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  6. Wonderful description of the hotel. It brought back my memories of the first time I visied there back in 2007. Nice one :)

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    1. Thank you so much Kajal! So happy you enjoyed it:-) Hugs

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  7. Oh my, what an amazing hotel and place! Would love to see it for myself someday! ♥

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    1. Hope you will Kathy:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  8. Dearest Eli,
    Yes, when we were put in the Taj Palace hotel in Delhi we thought we were in heaven too! Great rooms, great food, great tea rooms and also shopping! In Mumbai we knew the Centaur hotel and some more but names may have changed over time as is often the case when big hotel chains merge.
    But you are so right, the contrasts in those countries are often a punishment for our enjoyment of such luxury! One wonders... and we can only pray for the poorest of the poor that life will be less harsh. Safety is an extinct word in their lives; something very hard to cope with for us.
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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    1. Dear Mariette, Always so nice to see your kind words here - thank you so much for following, and for sharing your own experiences and memories:-) I so appreciate it:-) Big hugs

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  9. What a wonderfully grand hotel! No wonder you liked it. Hope the wee boy hung on ok.
    Anabel at Anabel's Travel Blog

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    1. Me too... So happy to see you here Anabel, thanks for following:-)

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  10. Lovely!!
    For me, in Bangalore it was Pai Vista. It's not historical or old. Its new. But, somehow I've always wanted to stay a night there!!
    I think its mainly because they do a fabulous delicious breakfast buffet!! :D

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    1. Oh, that sounds great - will check out that - and hope to visit Bangalore one day also:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  11. You seem to have become a perfect Mumbaikar .. Adjusted so well . Reading your posts refreshes my mumbai days..

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    1. Aaaww, dear Smitha- so happy to see your kind words my friend:-) Big hugs

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  12. I haven't been to Mumbai yet, but having lived in other cities I can understand what an emotional rollercoaster it can be. A stark disparity. The contrast leaves you almost speechless. Beautifully written.

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    1. Thank you so much Rajlakshmi:-) - for your kind words and for sharing:-)

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  13. Dear Eli,

    It's always such a joy to visit your blog and to be amazed by all your fantastic pictures and words. And when I read your words come alive and I can see it all, the colors, the people, the smells and tastes. I love experiencing through yor eyes sweet Eli. Thank you for bringing us along the ride.

    And thank you for all your kind words on my blog.♥ I felt that it was time to move on. Towards new adventures. And I've just embarked on a new blogadventure. Different (as it's in english) and same (me) at the same time. Scary and exciting at the same time. If you want to you find me here on this new address.

    Take care sweet Eli!

    Charlie (Lotta)

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    1. Dear Lotta, I am so happy to see you here again:-) Missed u:-) Thank you for your sweet words - it means a lot. I am so exited to here about your new blog - will hop over to it now:-) Big hugs to you

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  14. Wonderful post, dear Eli! You speak out your emotions so well! :) I have been to the Taj just recently and it's such a beauty, really, had also dined once in their restaurant but that was a long time back. About favorite hotel, there are many but my most recent one that I can recall now is the one I stayed in Dharamsala last week, it's not a hotel actually but a monastery and it was definitely among one of the best stays I have had till now.

    Wish you a wonderful week, ahead, Eli. :-)

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    1. Awww, dear Arti - thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy to see you here always, and love to read your experiences- thanks for sharing as well. Big hugs to you

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  15. Hello Eli Z
    Nice to read your blog...beautiful pics adds the color ..really happy .to see you ...
    Visit some time my blog if you get time
    Nalini Somayaji
    http://nsomayaji.blogspot.in/2014/06/dil-leaves-tomato-baath.html

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    1. Thank you so much Nalini. So happy for your kind words, will check out your blog for sure:-)

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  16. Hi Eli, this was an interesting read.
    Interesting observation with those kids hanging, I see it in Delhi as well - it appears so dangerous to me.
    I never visited Mumbai but it is on my must visit list, may be sometime in future.
    Click to visit my blog :)

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    1. Thank you so much Shine:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  17. You write from your heart and connect with ours! A lovely read! I have visited the Taj once and was awestruck by its beauty.... :)

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    1. Oh Aditi - you are the sweetest:-) Thanks so much dear :-)

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  18. Sadly I have yet to visit Mumbai and as such don't have a favorite hotel but I really loved your story about reminiscing and the tea and the boys - I was immediately captivated by the boys and really didn't want them to fall either! Great read :)

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    1. Thank you so much Calli:-) So happy that you enjoyed and so happy to see you here:-)

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  19. Charismatic, electrifying and open-hearted, Mumbai is the city of dreamers, stalwarts and the common man. i am glad that you loved Mumbai so much.

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