Exploring Mumbai hotels

Scenery from 2012: - Ok, my friend said: - You are sure you are moving to Bombay? I 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!