10 of the best hotels in Mumbai, from Indian opulence to Soho House socials

Such is Mumbai's geography, stretching for more than 25 miles down India’s west coast, that it’s crucial to choose your area carefully. Colaba, on the southern tip, is a popular spot, with abundant sightseeing and restaurants. Further north, Bandra is packed with cool bars, while Juhu’s selling point is its three-mile stretch of golden sand. Hotels on the beach often come with rooftop pools, ideal for watching the sun set over the Arabian Sea. Here are 10 of the best.

1. Abode Bombay

Best for: boho brilliance 
One of the city’s few boutique hotels, Abode Bombay has oodles of bohemian charm. Every corner of this heritage property in downtown Colaba has been curated with flair, from art deco floor tiles and restored vintage furniture to evocative photography capturing local life. Abode takes its social responsibilities seriously, too. The hotel has close ties with Victoria Memorial School for the Blind, and all therapists at the small spa are visually impaired, while car services are provided solely by vulnerable women — often single mothers — for whom driving offers financial freedom. Such has been Abode Bombay’s success that brother-and-sister owners Abedin Sham and Jumana Lokhandwala recently bought another floor of the building, opening four brand-new suites this spring — all with just as much soul as the rest of the property. Rooms: From INR 8,500 (£82), B&B.

2. The Oberoi

Best for: all-out luxury 
Step into The Oberoi’s marble-clad lobby and prepare to be momentarily stunned. The atrium rises for 21 floors, the ceiling seemingly stretching into infinity, while the soft smell of lilies fills the air and the smooth tones of a jazz pianist seem to guide you straight to one of the two bars. For some of the best views in the city, opt for Eau Bar’s terrace, overlooking the Arabian Sea, and order the signature cocktail, marine drive. Made with turmeric gin and orange bitters, it’s the deep-red hue of an Indian sunset. After drinks, you may want to explore more of Nariman Point — but in a place as beautiful as The Oberoi, you also may not. In the hotel’s 287 rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, vast bathtubs and plump pillows combine to make the ideal night in. Rooms: From INR 13,950 (£135), B&B.

3. The Taj Mahal Palace

Best for: opulence 
No list of Mumbai’s best hotels would be complete without The Taj Mahal Palace. Opened in 1903, this resplendent building has lost none of its cachet, combining baroque architecture with regal interiors and views over the century-old Gateway of India monument. The lobby welcomes a glittering parade of well-to-do travellers, as do the four restaurants. The high tea, served in the Sea Lounge, is sublime; the pool is sun-drenched and surrounded by tropical foliage; and the rooms are decked out in dark wood, heavy drapes and four-poster beds. Don’t miss the heritage tours for guests, during which staff will tell tales of the hotel’s history and explain the poignant memorial marking the 2008 terrorist attack. Rooms: From INR 28,000 (£272), B&B. 

4. The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake

Best for: lakeside serenity 
Set on the serene shores of Powai Lake, this Marriott Bonvoy hotel, opened in 2022, feels worlds away from the city’s hectic heart, 14 miles to the south. Sit down to an elaborate breakfast buffet beside its still waters and watch spot-billed ducks paddle past, before moving poolside to soak up a bit of sun. Inside, the pared-back decor includes sandy-coloured walls and Scandinavian-style furnishings. Make sure to visit the adjacent Sanjay Gandhi National Park, situated within the boundaries of Mumbai. The Kanheri caves here, carved by Buddhist monks more than 2,000 years ago, are mesmerising, as is the wildlife: the area has the highest documented density of leopards in the world, as well as monkeys galore, from macaques to langurs. Rooms: INR 12,980 (£126), B&B.

5. The Leela 

Best for: a green oasis
Surrounded by 11 acres of gardens, yet within easy reach of the international airport, this glamorous hotel is great for those making a quick stop in Mumbai and who want to avoid the guaranteed traffic into the city centre. The hotel’s dining options are excellent: alongside the six restaurants, guests can book a bespoke tasting menu with wine pairings, or a traditional Indian cookery class with the head chef. The spa is a standout feature, complete with a small hammam and a hair salon for a post-soak blow dry. Rooms: INR 22,000 (£213), B&B. 

6. Ferreira House

Best for: individual charm
More museum than hotel, this homestay gives a fascinating glimpse into local history. Curios fill every nook: think crystalware, family photographs, ancient maps and mysterious teak chests. Owner James Ferreira is just as fantastic as his furnishings. A fashion designer and lover of all things Mumbai, he grew up here and is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to sightseeing. Pick his brains over a G&T before heading out onto the cobbled streets of Khotachiwadi, one of the oldest parts of the city. Rooms: From £130, B&B. T: 00 91 98200 46273

7. Soho House

Best for: socialites 
The bar is in full swing every evening at Mumbai’s Soho House. Here in Juhu, a Bollywood stronghold, the crowds tend to be beautiful, famous and up for fun. Join them for dinner at Cecconi’s, overlooking Juhu Beach, before going upstairs and to the roof terrace for live music, potent cocktails and people-watching. Rooms feature dark wood floors, vintage decor and eclectic artwork. The rooftop pool, meanwhile, is tastefully tiled in Rajasthani florals. Rooms: INR 26,500 (£257), room only. If you’re not a Soho House member, a 12-month membership will be added to your booking for INR 10,000 (£97). 

8. Bloom Hotel Worli

Best for: bargain-hunters 
Lemon-yellow, reasonably priced and ultra-modern — these are the trademarks of the Bloom brand. For a prime central location, the Bloom Hotel Worli is a bargain. Its compact rooms are equipped with crisp linens, rain showers and high-speed wi-fi (still a rarity in much of Mumbai). There’s also a good restaurant with international dishes. The Worli district is home to some of the city’s top attractions, including Haji Ali Dargah Mosque and the Nehru Science Centre.Rooms: From INR 6,664 (£65), room only. 

9. Le Sutra

Best for: art-lovers  
In 2009, more than 150 local artists teamed up to create India’s first art hotel. Every one of Le Sutra’s 16 rooms has been curated according to Indian mythology. The first floor symbolises Sattva, a sense of peace and harmony. Tones are muted, all cool whites and earthen browns, with beautifully carved sculptures and minimalist artwork. The second floor, meanwhile, depicts Rajas, the quality of ambition and action, with deep reds and golds. The terraced restaurant, Out of the Blue, is relaxed and reasonably priced. Head there at happy hour for its two-for-one beers, with Indo-Chinese sides of sesame chicken, honeyed prawns and lemongrass chicken skewers — great if you’re craving a break from traditional Indian cuisine. Rooms: INR 9,939 (£96), B&B. 

10. Hyatt Centric Juhu Mumbai

Best for: poolside views
This slick new Hyatt branch opened in 2022 with a bachelor-pad aesthetic that includes red walls, black marble and dim lighting. Close to Juhu Beach in northwest Mumbai, rooms are well appointed and stylish, while staff cut the perfect line between attentive and discreet. The hotel’s Sesame restaurant covers all bases from tandoor chicken to sushi. The star of the show is undoubtedly the roof terrace: look one way from the pool and its canopied day beds, and the cityscape sprawls as far as the eye can see; in the other direction, views stretch across Juhu Beach. Head up early in the morning to witness a dazzling display of dragon flies, as hundreds flap lazily above the palm trees. Rooms: From INR 30,000 (£290), room only.