Mumbai’s Chhatratapi Shivaji International Airport-CSIA (formerly Santa Cruz) terminals are located 26 to 30 kilometres north of the CBD. Travel time varies according to peak hour traffic but one should allow at least one hour for the journey by pre-paid taxi. In 2010 a planned metro line will link to the airport’s expansion.

Orientation:

The city centre (ten kilometres from south to north) extends primarily along a peninsula separating Mumbai Harbour and the Arabian Sea from downtown Colaba north to Mumbai Central station in Byculla.

Sleep:

The city’s most famous and desirable hotel is undoubtedly the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower hotel facing the harbour at the Gateway to India.

Taj Mahal Hotel
Apollo Bunder
Colaba, 400005
Tel: +91 22 2641 0531
www.tajhotels.com

Eat:

For superb Indian and international food, the Taj Mahal hotel’s many restaurants stand out. Try the Masala Kraft for unusual award-winning north Indian food.

Taj Mahal Hotel
Apollo Bunder
Colaba, 400005
Tel: +91 22 2641 0531
www.tajhotels.com

For continental and Indian food, one of the best is long time favourite, Gaylord. Catch Mumbai’s elite as they dine at this historic institution.

Gaylord Restaurant
Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate
Colaba
Tel: +91 22 2282 1259

Play:

Mumbai is India’s only city that may rightly claim to have a nightlife scene. Home to Bollywood stars, designers and artists, the city’s club scene is as vibrant as any large city in North America or Europe. It changes rapidly and is very fickle but the new J. W. Marriott’s bar in Bollywood’s heart at Juhu beach is attracting the city’s most fashionable movers and shakers.

J.W. Marriott
Juhu Tara Road
Mumbai 400049
Tel: +91 22 6693 3000
www.marriott.com

Spa:

The J.W. Marriott’s spa is also the city’s best spa in a very competitive field. The poolside spa location is stunning, treatments are top-notch and it is totally deluxe.

J.W. Marriott
Juhu Tara Road
Mumbai 400049
Tel: +91 22 6693 3000
www.marriott.com

Drink:

Try the Czar Bar in Chowpatty Beach’s Marine Parade for cocktails with a view.

Czar Bar
Intercontinental
135 Marine Parade
Mumbai 400020
Tel: +91 22 3987 9862

Shop:

In a city packed with shopping options the mega-complex with gaming and eating zones as well as hundreds of boutiques.

High Street Phoenix
462 Senapati Bapat Marg
Lower Parel
Mumbai 400013
www.highstreetphoenix.com

Day Trip:

Getting out of Mumbai by road may actually take a full day because of traffic conditions so why not go for a cruise on the Harbour instead? Bom Baia was named by the Portuguese for its splendid safe port and is the reason for the city’s existence. Go to the Hindu cave temples on Elephanta Island and combine history with refreshing sea breezes in a one day exploration.

Ask your hotel to organise a day’s cruise.

Local Information:

This website is full of traveller information for both business and leisure.

www.mumbainet.com

Naked Traveller's Tip:

A drink in the Taj Mahal Hotel’s Harbour Bar overlooking the monumental Gateway to India constructed to celebrate King George’s visit in 1911 is a must do and must see Mumbai experience in one. Follow up with an evening at Chowpatty beach and watch the lights come on over the Arabian Sea.