This year has been quite busy travel-wise and I have been all over the place – from Paris and Norway earlier this year to Melbourne, the US, and Israel to a European summer across Finland, Switzerland, and France. Sometimes you just need to take a break and stay put in your own city. And what better way to do that than to have a staycation. A couple of weeks ago, I spent a weekend at the Hilton Mumbai International Airport. And it was just what the doctor ordered!
The hotel
The hotel is conveniently located a short drive from the Mumbai International Airport. So it’s easy enough to get to from the airport and also from the city centre. It’s not your typical business/airport hotel. Despite being part of a chain, it has a boutique feel to it, largely due to its charming colonial-style architecture. It’s designed like a 19th-century summer palace so it has quite the regal look – marble flooring, soaring ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and plush furnishings.
The Crystal Lounge with its two massive chandeliers and comfortable sofas is a great place to hang out. In the evenings, there’s a pianist who plays tunes on the grand white piano.
Rooms
I had the Nightingale Suite on the 4th floor, which is the Executive floor.
The suite is massive by Mumbai standards with a spacious living room, a cosy bedroom with a four-poster canopy bed, and a lavish bathroom with a gorgeous freestanding bath (plus shower, which is welcome as I don’t advocate the use of bathtubs).
The suite is done up with vintage fixtures and furnishings, and overall has a very intimate feel to it.
The floor overlooks the lovely Palm Court, an interior courtyard with palm trees and fountains. It is flooded with natural light during the day and looks very pretty when it’s lit up at sundown.
Dining
I had lunch at The Brasserie restaurant, which is located one level below the lobby, accessible by an elegant, curving staircase. The restaurant offers an extensive buffet with Indian and international dishes, live stations, occasional festive menus, and a fabulous dessert spread. The Executive Lounge on the fourth floor is perfect for a pre-dinner drink and some snacks in a chilled out atmosphere.
The ground-floor Lounge Bar is also a cosy space with dark wood accents, fine paintings, and antiques spread about.
The hotel also has a Deli Shop in the Crystal Lounge for cakes, pastries, tea, coffee, etc.
I had dinner in the elegant ambience of Imperial China where I sampled some delicious Szechwan fare.
The next morning, I was feeling rather lazy to head down to The Brasserie for the breakfast buffet. Also, it was Sunday, which called for an indulgent breakfast in bed!
Some pancakes, juice, and a double shot of espresso, and I was a happy girl indeed.
Spa & Fitness
I spent a blissful 90 minutes at the Esprit Spa where my experienced therapist Vaishali undid all the knots in my shoulders.
She used orange oil, which was rather refreshing and relaxing. The hotel has an outdoor pool as well as a 24X7 well-equipped fitness centre at your disposal.
The hotel also has a big business centre as well as plenty of meeting spaces, and a couple of banquet halls.
Whether you’re travelling to Mumbai for business or leisure, or are simply looking for a staycation, the Hilton Mumbai International Airport is a great stay option. Its proximity to the international airport makes it a convenient base from which to explore the city. So book your stay at the Hilton Mumbai International Airport; find great deals on their website.
