Hotels · Our pick in Mumbai
The grand hotels of Mumbai: the back story
The back story
About The grand hotels of Mumbai: the back story
Mumbai’s great hotels are city landmarks in their own right. The Taj Mahal Palace looks across the harbour from Apollo Bunder, the Oberoi and Trident stand at Nariman Point above the curve of Marine Drive, and a newer generation of towers in Worli, Lower Parel and BKC puts you close to the business districts and the sea.
The Taj Mahal Palace
At Apollo Bunder, opposite the Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Palace lists seven restaurants and a bar, the J Wellness Circle and an Ayurveda Sanctuary. The Harbour Bar has been “serving with pride since 1933”, and Golden Dragon is described by Taj as India’s first Chinese restaurant (the hotel’s own website).
Nariman Point and Marine Drive
The Oberoi and Trident, Nariman Point stand side by side at the tip of Marine Drive. Trident describes its views of the Arabian Sea and the “Queen’s Necklace” of lights along the shore; it is about 27 km, or 45 minutes, from the international airport (the hotel’s own website).
You don’t need a room to enjoy them: book a table, an afternoon tea or a sundowner.
Worli and Lower Parel
Four Seasons Mumbai in Worli is home to AER, which the hotel calls one of India’s most iconic rooftop bars. The St. Regis on Senapati Bapat Marg and ITC Grand Central in Parel are close to the restaurants and offices of Lower Parel.
BKC, Bandra and Juhu
Trident and Sofitel sit inside Bandra Kurla Complex, about 15 minutes from the airport. Taj Lands End looks out to sea from Bandstand in Bandra, and the JW Marriott is on the sand at Juhu.
Arriving
International flights land at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA); several hotels publish their distance from it. Ask your hotel about an airport car when you book. Navi Mumbai International Airport opened to domestic flights on 25 December 2025.
Our advice: for a first visit, stay in South Mumbai for the heritage and the seafront, or in BKC and Bandra if your meetings are there.
Why it's on our list
- The Taj Mahal Palace
- Nariman Point and Marine Drive
- Worli and Lower Parel
- BKC, Bandra and Juhu
- Arriving
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The grand hotels of Mumbai: the back story before you go.
How far is it from the sights?
Distances from The grand hotels of Mumbai: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest stations
- Cuffe ParadeLine 3600 m7 min walk
- Vidhan BhavanLine 31.1 km13 min walk
- ChurchgateLine 31.8 km23 min walk
Key sights
- Gateway of India1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 9 min
- NCPA1.3 kmWalk 16 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 9 min
- CSMVS museum1.5 kmWalk 19 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Marine Drive2.4 kmWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 12 min
- CSMT (UNESCO)2.9 kmWalk 37 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Haji Ali Dargah7.7 kmCycle 31 minCar or taxi 28 min
- Bandra–Worli Sea Link11 kmCycle 44 minCar or taxi 38 min
- Jio World Centre (NMACC)17 kmCar or taxi 56 min
- Juhu Beach21 kmCar or taxi 68 min
- CSMIA airport (T2)21 kmCar or taxi 69 min
Main railway stations
- Churchgate2.3 kmWalk 28 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)2.9 kmWalk 37 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 14 min
- Mumbai Central6.1 kmCycle 24 minCar or taxi 23 min
- Dadar12 kmCar or taxi 40 min
- Bandra Terminus16 kmCar or taxi 54 min
- Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)19 kmCar or taxi 61 min
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