Finding a charming boutique stay in Mumbai can be a challenge. Sure, you have the Taj, the Oberoi and a plethora of international luxury chains, but small-scale, design-driven boutique hotels are few and far between. A standout is Abode Bombay in the heart of South Mumbai’s bustling Colaba district.
Set in a beautiful historical building that was once the house of David Sassoon (an influential Jewish trader whose name pops up on buildings all over South Mumbai), Abode boasts Ace Hotel vibes with an Indian twist. Around the property, beautifully patterned tiled floors are complemented by an impressive collection of teakwood furnishing and quirky, inherently Indian elements like chai trays and vintage dabbawala lunch boxes.
Where many hotels give their common areas the ‘wow’ treatment but fail to work out the same for their bedrooms, Abode’s rooms prove that this doesn’t always have to be the case. Each one of the 20 rooms is decked out with teakwood furniture, bespoke bedside tables (modeled after the tables chaat-sellers use on Mumbai’s sidewalks), vintage trunks and extremely comfy beds. We loved the classic bathtubs overlooking the streets, perfect for a post-sightseeing soak.
Abode is not just a pleasure for the eyes, as the hotel’s focus on sustainable development and fair-trade practices will help you boost your karma as well. Furniture has been crafted by local artisans and manufacturers, and where possible, energy-saving solutions are implemented. The airport pick-up service is run by an organization focused on empowering the women of Mumbai (often single mothers), the spa employs blind massage therapists and the shop in the lobby sells products that support local NGOs. How’s that for feel-good hospitality?
The real gem, however, was the outstanding service. Abode’s team is extraordinarily friendly and will go out of their way to make your stay with them a comfortable one. All guests are greeted by name, and the team seems genuinely interested in the stories their guests have to share. The team also functions as your one-stop travel shop while you’re in town: everything from yoga classes to full day tours with reputable tours companies can be arranged.
Tips
- Some of the cheaper rooms lack windows and have shared toilets, we’d strongly advise booking either the ‘luxury’ or ‘superior luxury’ level rooms instead.
- The lobby isn’t very big, so when the hotel is running high occupancy, breakfast time can be a crowded affair. Head there early, or take your time and opt for a leisurely late breakfast instead.
- Loving Abode’s vibe and traveling to Delhi or Jaipur? Check out our reviews of Scarlette in New Delhi and 28 Kothi in Jaipur.
Info
First Floor, Lansdowne House, M.B. Marg
Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai, India
+91 80 80 23 40 66
http://abodeboutiquehotels.com
Rates start at US$ 70/night (including breakfast) – Check availability
This stay was hosted by Abode, but expressed opinions are 100% our own
