Fort, Colaba and Churchgate
Fort, Colaba and Churchgate comprise the city centre of Mumbai. It is known for tourist spots like the 
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai. Most of the city's famous landmarks, including the iconic Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) are found here. This district also connects to another nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elephanta. Ferries are available from Gateway of India to the island.
Understand
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This district contains some of the oldest parts of the city. For a long time, this was the city, or rather one of the seven islands that were joined to form Mumbai, then called Bombay. This is where the British started on their long quest to build the docks and the city. They built Fort St. George, which no longer exists, but the area is still called "Fort". The Fort area contains many corporate offices and most of the administrative offices of the city and Maharashtra state governments.
Paradoxically, this district contains one of the newest areas of the city, Nariman Point, which was built on land reclaimed between the 1940s and the 1970s. The offices of India's topmost corporate houses are here. The city centre serves as the business capital of the country. Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have their headquarters in this location. Major banks from all over the world operate from this area of Mumbai. Most of these buildings follow different architectural styles including Victorian Gothic, Art Deco and last of all, modern-day skyscrapers.
Altamount Road is an affluent area in this district that features the residences of Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani, amongst others, the latter of which is the most expensive residence in the world. The other famous location is Colaba, which was an island until it was connected to Bombay by a causeway. This area contains a naval base.
Fort, Colaba and Churchgate were the centres of terrorist attacks between the evening of 26 November to 29 November 2008.
Get in
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Map of Fort, Colaba and Churchgate
By train
[edit]All three lines of the Mumbai Suburban Railway terminate here. The Central and Harbour lines end at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The Western line ends at Churchgate. Most tourist areas can be reached most easily from CSMT and Churchgate stations. The best way to get here from the airport is to make your way to Vile Parle Western and take a southbound train to Churchgate, though this method is not recommended during peak hours, especially if you have luggage, as trains become crowded.
By car
[edit]It is best to avoid getting your car here, especially on a weekday. While all highways terminate here and traffic discipline is better than almost anywhere else in India, the extraordinary amount of traffic and the near impossibility of finding parking close to your destination make this a bad option to take. Even if you drive down, it is a good idea to park your car at one of the paid parking areas run by the Municipal Corporation (look for "BMC" or "MCGM" on the streets) and then take other means of transport to your destination.
On foot
[edit]Since the district is not very spread out, walking is a good option. This allows the opportunity of admiring the architecture, interacting with locals and tasting street food.
See
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The area houses several colonial buildings which can be best explored on foot. Today the buildings serve as railway stations, office buildings, departmental stores, museums and libraries. The Interior of office buildings and libraries are usually out of reach of ordinary tourists but the museums do allow visitors. Although the colonial buildings are scattered all over the district, they can be classified under certain geographical areas, like Around Oval Maidan, Mumbai Harbour and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk.
- 1 Esplanade Mansion (formerly Watson's Hotel), Library Marg, Mantralaya (suburban: Churchgate Western 0.8 km (0.50 mi) south). Esplanade Mansion was one of the most posh hotels in the area until Jehangir Tata was refused entry and he went on to build the Taj Mahal Hotel which went on to become the most popular hotel in Mumbai. The building is in a pathetic condition, due to negligence but has been listed in the "World's 100 Most Endangered Monuments" list and hopefully shall be restored soon.
- 2 Flora Fountain, Hutatma Chowk (Martyr's Square). Flora Fountain is an ornamental fountain dedicated to the Roman Goddess Flora. The walls of the Bombay Fort were demolished in 1862 and the gate leading to the church was replaced by the Flora Fountain in 1864. It was built at a cost of ₹64,000 or £9,000. The Flora Fountain is surrounded by several Victorian-era buildings. From 1860 to 1960 the chowk was known as the "Piccadilly Circus of Mumbai". In 1960 the chowk was renamed Hutatma Chowk (Martyr's Square) in memory of the people who laid their lives during the birth of the state of Maharashtra. Next to the Flora Fountain stands a stone statue in memory of the martyrs. The statue consists of a pair of martyrs holding a torch.
- 3 Fort George ruins (to the east on the site of the former Dongri Fort). This was an extension to the fortified walls of Bombay (Mumbai) built in 1769. The hill on which the Dongri Fort stood was razed, and in its place Fort George was built. In 1862, the fort was demolished. A part is visible near St. George Hospital. The fort was 1 mi (1.6 km) long and about a third of a mile in breadth (500 m). Its length was from NNE to SSW, and it was named in honour of George III of the United Kingdom.
- 4 General Post Office. 14 hours daily. General Post Office (GPO) is the central post office for the city of Mumbai. The building was designed by John Begg and was completed in 1913. It is modelled on the lines of Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Karnataka. The building is complete with domes and turrets and follows the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.
- 5 Horniman Circle Gardens. A circular open space covering an area of 12,081 square yards (10,101 m²) at the heart of Mumbai's Fort area. Construction of the garden started in 1921 and was completed after 12 years. After 1942 the garden lost its glory and was used as a dumping area of coconut shells. In 1872 the park was given a new lease of life by the then governor Lord Elphinstone, Trees were planted and walkways were laid out. The garden came to be known as Bombay Greens and the circle surrounding it came to be known as Elphinstone Circle. After independence, the park was renamed in honour of Benjamin Horniman, editor of The Bombay Chronicle. An ornamental fountain was placed in the centre, but it was replaced by a modern art deco iron pipes design. Today the park is surrounded by an office complex, including some offices of premium banks. The office of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai and the St. Thomas Cathedral are in the circle surrounding the park.
- 6 Municipal Corporation Building, 5, Mahapalika Marg, Dhobi Talao (southwest corner of CSMT). The V-shaped building built in Victorian Gothic style houses the office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), also known as the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), the civic body that governs the city of Mumbai. BMC was formed in 1865, the building came up in 1893 and ever since it serves as the headquarters of BMC. The building was designed by the civic body that governs the city of Mumbai, and is classed as grade IIA heritage. The building is dominated by a 255 ft (78 m) tall tower, which is crowned with a massive dome. The pediment of the building is crowned with a statue of a Winged allegorical figure representing the urbs prima in Indis. The pediment also houses the coat of arms of Mumbai.
- 7 Nariman Point (नरीमन पॉईंट Narīman Pôīṇṭ; Manhattan of Mumbai) (at the southern end of Marine Drive). The area is on land reclaimed from the sea. Nariman Point is the business hub of Mumbai. However, with the change in economic conditions, many companies have shifted to other areas of Mumbai, like Parel, Worli, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Andheri-Kurla Road and Powai. There are many airline offices and luxury hotels here. Don't miss out on the Air India building. It is widely regarded as the "Manhattan of Mumbai" and it boasts of a spectacular skyline and pricey residential condos. It is also the main financial district of Mumbai and houses most of the financial services and brokerage companies—both Indian and international. It is also the location for the Vidhan Bhavan which is the political headquarters of the state of Maharashtra.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
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- 8 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Central Harbour (CSMT, previously Victoria Terminus (VT)), Dadabhai Naoroji Rd, Azad Maidan, Fort.
It is one of the main disembarking stations for suburban and long-distance trains. The road goes further up to Ballard Estate where a lot of corporate offices and Mumbai Port are situated. The station building is designed in the High Victorian Gothic style of architecture. The building exhibits a fusion of influences from Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Indian architecture. The skyline, turrets, pointed arches, and eccentric ground plan is close to traditional Indian palace architecture.
The wood carving, tiles, ornamental iron and brass railings, grills for the ticket offices, the balustrades for the grand staircases and other ornaments were the work of students at the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy School of Art. The station stands as an example of 19th-century railway architectural marvels for its advanced structural and technical solutions. The station was constructed using a high level of engineering both in terms of railway engineering and civil engineering. It is one of the first and is considered one of the finest products of the use of industrial revolution technology merged with the revival of the Gothic Revival style in India. The centrally domed office structure has a 150 m (490 ft) long platform connected to a 500 m (1,600 ft) long train shed, and its outline provides the skeleton plan for the building. Its dome of dovetailed ribs, built without centring, was considered as a novel achievement of the era. It has a C-shaped plan which is symmetrical on an east-west axis. All the sides of the building are given equal value in the design. It is crowned by a high central dome, which acts as the focal point. The dome is an octagonal ribbed structure with a colossal female figure symbolising progress, holding a torch pointing upwards in her right hand and a spoked wheel in her left hand. The side wings enclose the courtyard, which opens onto the street. The wings are anchored by monumental turrets at each of their four corners, which balance and frame the central dome. The façades present the appearance of well-proportioned rows of windows and arches. The ornamentation in the form of statuary, bas-reliefs, and friezes is exuberant yet well-controlled. The columns of the entrance gates are crowned with figures of a lion (representing Great Britain) and a tiger (representing India). The main structure is built from a blend of Indian sandstone and limestone, while high-quality Italian marble was used for the key decorative elements.
The interior of the building was conceived as a series of large rooms with high ceilings. It is a utilitarian building and has had various changes required by the users, not always sympathetic. The main interiors are also decorated: the ground floor of the North Wing, known as the Star Chamber, which is still used as the booking office, is embellished with Italian marble and polished Indian blue stone. The stone arches are covered with carved foliage and grotesques. Internally, the ceiling of the booking hall was originally painted blue, gold and strong red on a ground of rich blue with gold stars. Its walls were lined with glazed tiles made by Maw & Co of Britain. Outside, there are statues representing commerce, agriculture, engineering and science, with a statue representing progress on the central dome of the station. A statue of Queen Victoria beneath the central dome has been removed. CSMT has 18 platforms, 7 for suburban trains and 11 for long-distance trains.
Around Oval Maidan
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Oval Maidan is a large open space in the heart of Mumbai (for details, see the Parks section). It is flanked on all sides by a series of Colonial buildings, all of which are accessible from Churchgate Western .
- 9 Rajabai Clock Tower, Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Marg, Fort (in Mumbai University, close to Flora Fountain; Churchgate station 0.6 km S). Similar to the Big Ben of London, the tower was built in a fusion of Venetian and Gothic styles. It is built out of the locally available buff-coloured Kurla stone. The tower has one of the best-stained glass windows in the city. The ground floor has two side rooms, each measuring 140 m². The tower forms a carriage porch 2.4 m², and a spiral staircase vestibule of 2.6 m². The tower, over the carriage porch, has a square form up to the gallery at the top of the first level which is at a height of 20.7 m from the ground. The form changes from a square to an octagon and the height from this gallery to the top of the tower is 36m and the third stage to the top of the finial is 28.7m, thus making a total height of 85m. Chimes every 15 minutes. The Rajabai Clock Tower is best viewed and photographed from the Oval Maidan.
- 10 Bombay High Court. The massive building of Bombay High Court lies on the northeastern side of the Oval Maidan. It follows the Victorian Neo-Gothic style of architecture and was constructed by Col. James A. Fuller of the Royal Engineers. The building was completed in 1878 and is 562 feet (171 m) long and 187 feet (57 m) wide. The central part of the western side is an elevated section flanked by two octagonal towers. The towers are crowned with the statues of Justice and Mercy. The Bombay High Court is best viewed and photographed from the Oval Maidan.
- 11 Western Railway Headquarters. The massive grey and white sandstone building stands opposite Churchgate station and on the northwest corner of the Oval Maidan. The building was constructed in 1899. Although the Gothic architecture building dominates Mumbai's skyline on account of its location at a busy intersection it is often passed by unnoticed in the waves of humanity.
Mumbai Harbour
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- 12 Gateway of India (भारतीय प्रवेशद्वार Bhāratiya Praveśdvār), Shivaji Marg. 24 hours daily. The landmark gateway was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, the foundation stone for the Gateway of India was laid on 31 March 1911. The final design of George Wittet was sanctioned in 1914 and the construction of the monument was completed in 1924. This arch is the most recognisable symbol of the city. The structure is a basalt arch, 26m high, and it lies at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg at the water's edge in Mumbai Harbour. It was a crude jetty used by the fishing community which was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other prominent people. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat in Mumbai would have seen. Ferries to Elephanta are available from the Gateway of India. Free.
- 13 Sassoon Docks. One of the oldest docks in Mumbai and was the first wet dock constructed in the city. It is also one of the largest fish markets in the city. In 2017, street art transformed the fishing dock into an exhibition space.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk
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This road crossing consists of a series of colonial buildings centred around the Wellington Fountain. The area also includes the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and National Gallery of Modern Art (see details in the Museums and galleries section). It also houses Regal Cinema (see details in the Do section).
- 14 Wellington Fountain. A small elegant marble fountain dating back to the 1860s..
- 15 Majestic Guest House. Once the majestic hotel it was designed by W.A. Chambers, who was also the designer of Mumbai's iconic Taj Mahal Hotel, Completed in 1909 it follows the Indo-Saracenic architectural style complete with domed minarets. Today it is known as Majestic Guest House and houses a government co-operative store and a hostel for Members of Legislative Assembly.
- 16 Waterloo Mansion. An Indo-Gothic style residential apartment. The ground floor houses several stores including cafes and restaurants.
- 17 Maharashtra Police Headquarters. The grand building dates back to 1876 and was built as a home for the seamen and was known as Royal Alfred Sailors Home. Built in Gothic style it was designed by Frederick William Stevens. The giant pediment at the centre of the building contains a statue of Neptune, the guardian of the seas. The sculptures on the other face of the building were designed by the students of J J School of Art under the guidance of John Lockwood Kipling, father of well-known writer Rudyard Kipling. In 1928 the building was acquired by the government and in 1930 it served as the office of the Legislative Council. In 1982 the building was handed over to the Maharashtra Police for setting up its headquarters. In 2019 the building underwent an extensive renovation and restoration.
- 18 Elphinstone College. Eliphinstone College is affiliated with Dr Homi Bhabha State University since 2019. The college was established in 1856 and was part of Mumbai University till 2019. The grand building housing the college came up in 1888. The building was designed by Trubshaw, and supervised by Khan Bahadur Muncherjee Murzban. It follows Gothic architecture and is a Grade I heritage building.
Libraries and societies
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- 19 Asiatic Library at Asiatic Society, Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd (Next to Horniman Circle, Hutatma Chowk), ☏ +91 22 22611994. The Asiatic Society of Mumbai is a learned society in the field of Asian studies. The library of the Society has over 100,000 books out of which 15,000 are classified as rare and valuable. It also has priceless artefacts and over 3,000 ancient manuscripts in Persian, Sanskrit and Prakrit, mostly on paper but some on palm leaf. The numismatic collection of 11,829 coins includes a gold coin of Kumaragupta I, a rare gold mohur of Akbar and coins issued by Shivaji. Its map collection comprises 1300 maps. The Town Hall (colloquially called "Tondal" in the 19th century) that houses the Asiatic Society of Mumbai was not built in 1804, the year in which the Literary Society of Bombay was formed. Though Sir James Mackintosh mooted the proposal for a grand edifice, it was not completed until 1830 (year to be confirmed with tablet on the entrance) after many fits and starts, when the Bombay Government agreed to make up for the shortfall in funds in return for office space. The after-effects of this compromise can still be seen in the unseemly crowds gathered at the Stamp Office and other government departments in the Town Hall. It is now classified as a heritage structure. Heavily influenced by Greek and Roman architecture, it has a portico with eight Doric columns. A flight of 30 steps lead up to the town hall and a wrought iron divided Regency staircase leads to the vestibule. In 1830 Sir John Malcolm, governor of Bombay stated: "It is the most magnificent structure that taste and munificence combined have as yet erected in India.".
- 20 Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS, Hornbill House), Shaheed Bhagat Singh Rd, Fort (opposite Lion Gate, Eastern Wing of CSMVS; suburban: Churchgate Western 1 km south), ☏ +91 22 2282 1811, fax: +91 22 22837615, info@bnhs.org. This is a massive source of information for those interested in flora and fauna. Houses collections of beetles and butterflies. There is another floor which has embalmed reptiles, birds, and animal pelts. It's the natural history section of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS). The Bombay Natural History Society aided the Museum Trust in creating the natural history section. The museum's natural history section illustrates Indian wildlife, including flamingoes, Great Hornbill, Indian bison, and the tiger. For entry, you need to buy a general ticket for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Separate entry to the natural history section is not possible. ₹650 for foreigners (refer to tickets for CSMVS).
- 21 David Sasoon Library, 152 Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Kala Ghoda (Opposite Kala Ghoda statue), ☏ +91 22843703. This is a famous library and heritage structure. The idea for a library to be built in the centre of the city was the brainchild of Albert Sassoon, son of the famous Baghdadi Jewish philanthropist, David Sassoon. The building was designed by architects J. Campbell and G. E. Gosling, for Scott McClelland and Company, at a cost of ₹125,000. David Sassoon donated ₹60,000, while the rest was borne by the Government of Bombay Presidency. The building, completed in 1870, is built using yellow Malad stone, much like the abutting Elphinstone College, Army and Navy Buildings and Watson's Hotel. Above the entrance portico is a white stone bust of David Sassoon.
Museums and galleries
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- 22 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS; छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज वस्तुसंग्रहालय Chatrapatī Śivājī Mahārāj Vastusaṅgrahālay; formerly Prince of Wales Museum of Western India), 159-161, MG Rd, Fort (next to Jehangir Art Gallery, near Regal Cinema), ☏ +91 22 2284-4484, +91 22-2284-4519, fax: +91 22-2204-5430, crescent@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in. Tu-Su 10:15AM-5:45PM. Housed in a wonderful example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, the museum was established in 1904. The building, built of basalt and kurla stone, is a three-storied rectangular structure, capped by a dome set upon a base, which adds an additional storey in the centre of the building. The building accommodates a central entrance porch, above which rises a dome, "tiled in white and blue flecks, supported on a lotus-petal base". A cluster of pinnacles, topped with miniature domes surround the central dome. The building incorporates features like an Islamic dome with a finial along with protruding balconies and inlaid floors, inspired by Mughal palace architecture. The architect, George Wittet, modelled the dome on that of Golconda Fort and the inner vaulting arches on those at the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur. The interior of the museum combines the columns, railings and balcony of an 18th-century Wada (a Maratha mansion) with Jain-style interior columns, which form the main body of the central pavilion below the Maratha balcony. The ground floor contains a small, but representative collection of sculptures from ancient and medieval India. A mezzanine floor has exhibits on the Indus Valley civilization that is not particularly well organized but worth a stop, especially if your visit to India does not include the National Museum in Delhi. The first floor has an impressive collection of Buddhist (Nepal and Tibet) thangkas and bronzes and a smorgasbord of medieval Indian court and religious paintings. The third floor houses an indifferent collection of European art and medieval weaponry that is best skipped. Opened new galleries: Krishna Art Gallery, Indian Miniature Painting Gallery, Textile or Indian costume gallery. The excellent audio guide and the building itself make this museum a must on any visit to Mumbai. ₹40 for Indians, ₹650 for foreigners Audio guide worth ₹150 complimentary with the price for foreigners.
- 23 Jehangir Art Gallery, 161 Kalaghoda, ☏ +91 22 22843989. Free. The building has been designed by Durga Bajpai and is one of the early concrete structures in the city. The gallery has been turned inwards due to a combined function of an auditorium and an art gallery. Daily 11AM-7PM.
- 24 National Gallery of Modern Art. Tu-Su 11AM-6PM. The gallery came up in 1996 but the building housing it dates back to 1911. The building housed an auditorium known as the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall (popularly known as Sir C J Hall). The interior is centred around a central stairway with semi-circular galleries at different levels. The gallery was an initiative of art connoisseur Kekoo Gandhy and sculptor Piloo Pochkhanawala. The gallery exhibits modern art from the last 150 years. It exhibits works of famous contemporary artists like S H Raza and M F Husain. ₹20 for Indians.
- 25 RBI Monetary Museum (मुद्रा संग्रहालय Mudrā Saṅgrahālay; मैद्रिक संग्रहालय Maudrik Saṅgrahālay), GF, Amar Bldg, Sir Phirozshah Mehta Rd, Fort, museum@rbi.org.in. 10AM–5PM (closed M). One of the museums in India that covers the evolution of money in the country, from the earliest barter system and the use of cowries to paper money, coins, stock markets and modern-day electronic transactions. ₹10.
Places of worship
[edit]Churches
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- 26 Afghan Church (अफ़ग़ान चर्च Afġān Carc; St. John's Church), Bakery Ln, Navy Nagar, Colaba (take Bus 153 from Churchgate Western and get off at
Afghan Church), ☏ +91. Daily dawn-dusk; the verger who lives next to the church will open the door if it is locked. This is an Anglican Church in Colaba, built by the British to commemorate the dead of the disastrous defeat in the First Afghan War of 1838. This church is believed to have hosted members of the White Brotherhood who believe that Lord Jesus visits them from the Cave of Light in the Dauladhar Mountains even today. The imposing edifice was constructed using locally available buff-coloured basalt and limestone. Inside it is known for its wide gothic arches and beautiful stained glass windows. The chapel has a nave and aisle with a chancel 15 m in length and 7 m in width. Butterfield's tiles used for the geometric floor pattern were imported from England. The east and west windows were designed by William Wailes, a nineteenth-century stained glass expert. The stained glass used is superior to that in the Rajabai Tower and CSMT. Eight large bells in the bell tower came from the Taylor bell foundry of England in 1904, and are acknowledged to be the best in Western India. The tower and spire are 60 m high. Free. - 27 St. Thomas Cathedral, 3 Veer Nariman Rd, Fort (W of Horniman Circle Gardens), ☏ +91 22 2202 4482. Daily 7AM-6PM. Completed in 1718, it is the first Anglican church in Mumbai, to improve the "moral standards" of the growing British settlement. One of the gates in the Fort which the East India Company had built to protect their settlement was the entrance to the St. Thomas Church. It was called Churchgate. That is why the whole area towards the West of the Church is called “Churchgate” even today. The church was consecrated a cathedral in July 1837. The tower and the clock at the western end were added in 1838. About 25 years later a major renovation scheme was launched to enlarge the chancel. This was completed by 1865. The cathedral marks colonial Bombay's point zero, the exact centre of the city. Today a plaque at the entrance of the cathedral narrates the history of zero point. Free entry.
- 28 Cathedral of the Holy Name, 19, Nathalal Parikh Marg. Cathedral of the Holy Name is the Catholic Cathedral of Mumbai. It is the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Mumbai. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Mumbai. The Mumbai (then Bombay) Catholic Christian life was centred around the Fort Chapel in Medows Street, which was constructed in 1767. At the beginning of the 20th century, the little Chapel was unable to accommodate the large congregation during the Sunday Masses. The foundation stone of the church was laid on 9 July 1902 by the then archbishop Dalhoff and it was opened to the public on 15 January 1905. The church was designed and constructed by W.A. Chambers, an established architect of the firm of Messrs. Gostling, Chambers and Fritchley. The complex consisted of three similar-styled buildings. At the centre was the church, the school on the north side and the residence for the clergy on the south side. On 3 March 1964, it was granted the status of a Cathedral. The cathedral follows the gothic style of architecture, with two towers containing the belfries surmounted by octagonal spires which, like the main roof are covered with Mangalore tiles. The interiors are well laid with ceilings and the walls are covered with frescoes and geometrical designs. The beautifully carved marble altar is surrounded by intricately designed stained glass windows. In 1998 the cathedral received the status of a heritage building.
Synagogues
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- 29 Chabad Nariman House (בית חבד מומבאי), Azad Nagar, Colaba (suburban: Churchgate Western 2.3 km (1.4 mi)), ☏ +91 97 69060840. Chabad Nariman Center at the site of the 26/11 terror attack, is home to the one-of-a-kind Jewish tour of tolerance and hope. Through visceral footage and displays, visitors witness the heart-wrenching story of the Murder of Rabbi and Mrs Holtzberg, the founders of the centre. The visitor faces the stark reality of modern-day terror and is challenged to assume personal responsibility for positive change. The centre is the vibrant heart of the Jewish community of Mumbai and provides support for tourists and backpackers. At the premises is a kosher restaurant, a coffee corner with Wi-Fi, a library and a synagogue.
- 30 Kenesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue (בית הכנסת אליהו), 55, Dr. V.B. Gandhi Marg, Kala Ghoda precinct, Fort (behind the Kala Ghoda statue), ☏ +91 22 831502 22 839617. M–Th 10AM–4PM. Synagogue built in 1884 by Jacob Elias Sassoon and his brother Albert Sassoon in memory of their father Eliyahoo David Sassoon, who was the son of David Sassoon. It was designed by the British architectural firm Gostling & Morris. The exteriors are a combination of blue and white and it is known as Mumbai's Blue Synagogue. The synagogue is a combination of Neo-Classical and Gothic-Victorian architecture. The exterior faces contain Corinthian columns and triangular pediments. The interior contains beautiful stained glass windows with floral motifs. The floor is laid out with beautiful tiles and there are ornamental pillars. The women's gallery is on the first floor. The central platform has metal ornamental railings. The Ark facing Jerusalem has a beautiful ornate wooden door and inside there are several Torah scrolls. ₹300 entry, ₹500 entry + photo, ₹1000 entry + video.
Do
[edit]- Harbour cruise — If money is no object, rent Taj's private yacht (which has two sun decks and three bedrooms) for a cruise around the Mumbai harbour, US$300/hour (including drinks and meals).
Clubs and stadiums
[edit]- 1 Bombay Gymkhana, Fort. One of the premiere gentlemen's clubs in the city. It was originally a British-only club, designed by architect Claude Batley. The Gymkhana's Grounds offers its members various sporting facilities like rugby, football, cricket, swimming, tennis, badminton and squash and also has a fitness centre.
- 2 Brabourne Stadium.
- Cricket: 3 Wankhede Stadium, Churchgate, ☏ +91 22 2279 5500. Opened in 1975, this is the city's main cricket ground, and is the headquarters for the BCCI national governing body, for the Indian Premier League, and Mumbai Cricket Association. With a capacity of 32,000, it hosts Mumbai Indians in IPL.
Parks
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- 4 Azad Maidan. A triangular urban open space in the heart of Mumbai. The Azad along with Cooperage Maidan, Cross Maidan and Oval Maidan once from the Esplanade, an open area that lay beyond the ramparts of the fort. After the demolition of the fort, several streets were constructed across the Esplanade, fragmenting it into several separate patches of green. Azad Maidan is known for its cricket pitches, protest meetings and political rallies.
- 5 Colaba Woods (30 min drive from CSMT. The best means to reach from any part of South Mumbai is by BEST buses). 7AM–10AM and 4:30PM–8:00PM. The garden has several facilities like a joggers' track, an amphitheatre, a readers' corner for street children, basketball courts, children's play areas and areas for relaxation. Photography and collection of plants and flowers are not allowed in the garden.
- 6 Cross Maidan. Another large open place in South Mumbai. An old stone cross (crucifix) was built in the ground during Portuguese rule in the 16th century, hence the name. The ground is used for cricket in the dry season and association football during the monsoons. Near the southern end, the Mahindra United Club, a national-level club, has undertaken a lease of a small portion of the ground.
- 7 Oval Maidan (suburban: Churchgate Western ). A large urban open space in the heart of Mumbai. It covers an area of 22 acres (8.9 hectares) and is oval in shape and hence the name Oval Maidan. It is a recreational ground with cricket and football being the most popular sports. The ground is also used by morning and evening walkers. The park is maintained by the Oval-Cooperage Residents Association, and all sorts of functions, picnics and political rallies are banned in the park. The park has been fenced off and a jogging track added along the inner periphery. A paved lane cut through the diameter of the ground to facilitate a smoother thoroughfare. On the northern side of the Oval Maidan lies the Western Railway Office. The eastern side is flanked by the Old Secretariat Building, Rajabai Clock Tower of Mumbai University and the Bombay High Court. The eastern side of the Oval Maidan is lined with a series of Art Deco buildings.
Cinema halls and theatres
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- 8 Capitol Cinema (opposite CSMT). A cinema hall built in 1879 by Kunvarji Paghtivala as a theatre. It was converted into a cinema hall by 1928.
- 9 Eros Cinema, Cambata Bldg, 42, Maharshi Karve Rd, Churchgate. A defunct cinema hall built in Art Deco style. The hall started functioning in 1938 and had a sitting capacity of 1204. It closed down in 2016 but the Cambata Family, who owns the hall have some plans for adaptive reuse without harming the heritage status of the building.
- 10 Metro INOX Cinemas (previously Metro Big Cinema), Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Dhobitalao, Marine Lines. An Art Deco multiplex opened on 5 June 1938.
- 11 Regal Cinema, Colaba Causeway. This Art Deco cinema hall at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk dates back to 1933. Today, it is a multi-use building combining a cinema with shops at street level.
Buy
[edit]- 1 CR2 Mall, Barrister Rajni Patel Marg, Nariman Point (Bus 5, 19LTD, 25LTD, 45, 87LTD, 111 to stop Mantralaya). Houses the INOX multiplex.
Bookshops
[edit]- 2 Art & Design Book Store, 104 Ramnimi, Mandlik Rd, Colaba (off Colaba Causeway), ☏ +91 22822211. M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 1-8PM. Moderate choice of books from international publishers on various art topics. Some magazines.
- 3 Oxford Bookstore, Apeejay House, 3, Dinsha Waccha Road, Churchgate, ☏ +91 56339309, fax: +91 22 2202 9967, oxfordmum@apeejaygroup.com. 10AM-8PM.
- 4 Search Word, Metro House, S.B. Singh Rd, Apollo Bandar, Colaba Causeway, ☏ +91 22852521.
- 5 Strand Book Stall, Sayed Abdullah Brevil Rd, Borabazar Precinct, Ballard Estate, ☏ +91 22661994, info@strandbookstall.com. Daily? 10AM-8PM. Many books of all types, reliable bookseller. Warning: not to be confused with the (poor) Modern Book Stall, on Sir Pheroze Shah Mehta Road just nearby, with has very few books, mainly second-hand.
- 6 Mozeb Books, Podar Chambers, S.A. Brevli Rd, Fort, ☏ +91 22822660273, mozeb.books@gmail.com. Wide choice of books on architecture, interior designing, and stained glass. Amazing place with qualified booksellers. Categories: architectural monographs, architectural rendering & competition, architectural theory, architecture, architecture & interiors of commercial spaces, design books and so on. Publishers from Actar to Wiley, including Arquitectos Mexicanos, Dover, El Croquis, Rizzoli, Shotenkenchiku Sha, Schiffer and many others.
- 7 Wayword & Wise, Strategic House, 44 Mint Rd, Fort, ☏ +91 2266349946, virat@waywordandwise.com. Very good bookseller; has new releases and classics. Literature, non-fiction, crime, gardening, arts and so on. Could be located in any English-speaking country. But offers a good choice of local literature.
- 8 Sterling Book House, 181, Dr. Dadabai Naoroji Rd, Fort (In front of D Sukhadwala Road), ☏ +91 22-22612521, admin@sterlingbookhouse.com. Many scientific books in this little shop. All disciplines covered. Reliable vendors, the catalogue is displayed on the website, updated daily.
- 9 Computer Bookshop, Dr. Dadabai Naoroji Rd, Fort (close to the corner of D Sukhadwala Road). Reliable bookseller for computing. All aspects of computing are covered, many publishers here, Packt and O'Reilly being the prominent ones.
- 10 Kitab Khana, Somaiya Bhavan, Ground Floor, 45/47 Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Fort, ☏ +91 22 61702276, enquire@kitabkhana.in. Very good bookshop with a large selection of Indian and international literature in English. Some Hindi books. Non-fiction also, plus a children's corner.
Markets
[edit]
- 11 Bungalow eight, Inside Wankhede Stadium, North Stand, E & F Block, D Road, Churchgate (on D road, go to the stadium through Vinoo Mankad Gate, it is free to access except on match days; walk straight ahead, the shop under the stands. Its entrance is between staircases 9 & 10 to the Sachin Tendulkar Stand, just after the real estate developers Ameya Properties), ☏ +91 22 22819880, contact@bungaloweight.com. Daily 10:30AM to 7:30PM. Very nice fashion shop, creative women's clothing from young Indian designers (Abraham & Thakore, for example); Bungalow Eight is a (very elegant) brand but also sells clothes from other designers. Furniture is also sold here. Prices are quite high.
- 12 Colaba Causeway, Lala Nigam Rd (very close to the Gateway of India, about 1 km (0.62 mi) south). is filled with tourists and locals. It is a place where you will be able to find many authentic Indian souvenirs, antiques, carpets and chandeliers. But foreigners will have to be very careful, as all these stores are roadside stalls. What may seem a good price that the person has quoted to you, it will actually be a rip-off. Do not settle for anything more than one-fourth of the quoted price. If they refuse a price just walk away and they will call you back quoting a lower price. Normally, the more you buy, the less you will have to pay for each individual item.
- 13 Crawford Market (क्रॉफर्ड मार्केट Krôpharḍ Markeṭ; officially Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Market (महात्मा ज्योतिबा फुले मंडई Mahātmā Jyotibā Phule Maṇḍaī)), Central Line? Lokmanya Tilak Marg, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area (within 10 minutes walking distance north from CSMT, west of the J.J. flyover at a busy intersection.). Earlier it was the major wholesale trading market for fruits & vegetables. Now it houses shops selling imported items such as food, cosmetics, household and gift items. The market was designed by British architect William Emerson, in Norman and Flemish architectural styles. The friezes on the outside entrance depicting Indian farmers, and the stone fountains inside, were designed by Lockwood Kipling, father of novelist Rudyard Kipling. The market covers an area of 22,471 m², of which 5,515 m² is occupied by the building itself. The structure was built using coarse buff-coloured Kurla stone, with Redstone from Bassein. It has a 15 m high skylight awning designed to allow the sunlight to brighten up the marketplace.
- 14 Fashion Street, MG Rd, Fort (walk towards Flora Fountain from suburban: Churchgate Western , make a left turn and its a block down). Popular place to buy cheap clothes. Bargaining/haggling skills are a must. Offer to pay 1/4 of the asking price or less and then work upwards. These are street shops lined alongside the road starting from the VSNL building. Decent stuff at good prices, bargains for clothes and accessories. Best place in Mumbai to buy cheap clothes. Bargaining/haggling skills are a must if you want to shop here! Offer to pay 1/4 of the asking price or less and then work your way upwards. Look around the first few shops and try to estimate the going price. If you decide to walk away (during a negotiation), sometimes the vendor will try to hail you back. Don't go back to the same vendor, he will not discount it to the price you asked and might try to humiliate you. Just walk away, and you will find another shop with the same merchandise down the street.
- 15 Kashmir Oriental Carpet Showroom, 20 Crush Hall, the World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, ☏ +91 22-22183284, fax: +91 22-22188851, contact@carpetsofkashmir.com. One of the finest places where you can get exquisite hand-knotted carpets and rugs from Kashmir with genuine certification of authenticity. This store has an amazing range of breath-taking carpets in wool and silk with very reasonable prices and personalized service.
- 16 King's, Florence House, Mereweather Rd, Colaba (very small shop under the archway, behind the Taj Mahal Hotel, on the other side of the street), ☏ +91 98333 13658, +91 98203 60610, kingfabric@gmail.com. High-quality tailors at affordable prices. The place to get a bespoke suit in Mumbai - no ready-to-wear clothes here! Sunil and Gopal, the two brothers that own the place, have good taste and commit themselves to fit your tailor-made suit perfectly. King's is also a shirtmaker and does sell some accessories like cufflinks, ties, and pocket squares. These are under the desk and you have to ask for them. King's suits are elegant, and their owners are very efficient also: urgent jobs undertaken. If you really are in a hurry, your shirt can be made in a few hours and your suit for the next day.
- 17 Manish Market, Ramabai Ambedkar Marg, (ahead of Crawford Market on the other side of JJ flyover). Very famous for its electronic goods, especially cell phones. Shops usually deal in grey goods though.
- 18 Musafir Khana, Musafir Khana Rd.? (ahead of Crawford Market on the other side of JJ flyover, next to Manish Market). Shops here deal in imported goods and electronics.
Eat
[edit]Budget
[edit]
- Ayubs (near Horniman Circle). Very similar to Bademiyan. Great kababs, especially the Tangri Kabab. Open until late and extremely popular among clubbers. It's a street joint and the only place to sit down and eat is your car.
- Bademiya Kebab Restaurant, ☏ +91 22 22655657. Eat on the road or in your car. Open until the early hours of the morning. The rolls are a favourite
- 1 Horniman Circle, 7,8 & 9, Botawala Building, Horniman Circle, Kala Ghoda, ☏ +91 22 22655657.
- 2 Behind Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Tulloch Rd, Apollo Bandar, Colaba.
- 3 Baghdadi, Tulloch Rd (Behind the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel), ☏ +91 22 22028027. Food is a mix of Indian and Mughlai. Simple decor.
- 4 Britannia and Co, Sprott Road, Ballard Estate, Fort (next to New Custom House.), ☏ +91 22-2261-5264. 10AM-3:30PM. This rundown restaurant, run by a partnership of geriatric brothers (by the name Kohinoor), is a South Mumbai institution, having been in existence since 1923. The signature dish is berry pulav, the recipe for which the late Mrs. Kohinoor found in Teheran while she was working with Iranian Airways. The Parsi favourite dhansak is of course available and tastes great. Try the caramel custard for dessert. The waiter may con you into trying the Raspberry soda. The first sip is sweet, but the whole bottle is cloying. ₹400 will buy you a good lunch.
- 5 Cafe Samovar, Inside Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda near Colaba Causeway. A favourite with the Mumbai art community, serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian food.
- 6 Kailash Parbat, Sheila Mahal, 5, 1st Pasta Ln, Colaba (Colaba Causeway), ☏ +91 22 22841972. This is a basic restaurant, serving excellent vegetarian Indian food.
- Kelkar Vishranti Gruha, D.N.Road (near CSMT). One of the oldest restaurants in Mumbai, with authentic Marathi cuisine.
- Martin's, Strand, Colaba. Great Goan food. Order a drink quickly before your food is delivered to your table. Not for vegetarians.
- 7 Pancham Puriwala (opposite GPO or CSMT). Serve the best puris as the same implies with some side dishes. Not the greatest in ambience, but a very good hole-in-the-wall restaurant around here.
- 8 Aram Vada Pav, Capital Cinema Building, 126, Dr Dadabhai Naoroji Rd (Across road from CSMT). M-Sa 8:30AM-9:30PM. This hole in the wall is likely Mumbai's most famous purveyor of vada pav, the classic Mumbai snack of a deep-fried potato croquette in a fluffy bun. There's a small restaurant as well, but most people opt for takeaway.
Mid-range
[edit]- 9 Cafe Basilico. off Colaba Causeway, near Strand cinema ☏ +91 22 5634 5670. This is not a budget restaurant, but it's not expensive either. Very popular with white immigrants who live in the city. Offers non-alcoholic drinks and coolers, Mediterranean-inspired food, and great dessert. Open all day. The rawas (local kind of fish) and the cheesecake is recommended.
- 10 Cafe Churchill, East West Court Building, Colaba Causeway, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, ☏ +91 22 22042604. 11AM - midnight. Serves a mix of world foods (sandwiches, burgers, pasta, soups) in a very cramped location. The food is pretty good, especially the pasta. The desserts here are the best and one should not miss the Irish Baileys Chocolate Cake, which is highly recommended.
- 11 Chetana Vegetarian Restaurant, Kala Ghoda, K Dubash Marg, ☏ +91 22 2288 1159. A great Gujarati and Rajasthani food restaurant. Service is ok, the atmosphere is decent. They also serve cocktails and beer. ₹450 for two.
- Cafe Mocha, Churchgate. It is a relaxed Sheesha restaurant serving heavy snacks. Very popular for dessert and coffee.
- 12 Cafe Royal (CR) (across from the Regal Cinema). Bill Clinton chose to eat here on his visit to India. Famous for sizzlers and other continental food.
- 13 Chetana Vegetarian Restaurant, Kala Ghoda, K Dubash Marg, ☏ +91 22 2288 1159. A great Gujarati and Rajasthani food restaurant. Service is OK, the atmosphere is decent. They also serve cocktails and beer. ₹450 for two.
- Food Inn (opposite Colaba Police Station).
- 14 Fountain Sizzlers, 57, Mahatma Gandhi Road (Near Flora Fountain), ☏ +91 22 40647777. As the name suggests, it is famous for its sizzlers, especially among the office crowd.
- 15 Gable's, Colaba Causeway. A restaurant that serves a good array of Goan food besides delicious Legs of Ham, Pork Chops and Steaks. Frequented by travellers, has a good British breakfast of ham, sausage, eggs and bacon.
- Indigo Deli, Colaba (off Colaba Causeway, on the way to Gateway of India). Excellent food by the Indigo people at cheaper-than-Indigo prices. Very popular with locals and ex-pats for lunch and brunch on all days, so there can be quite a wait.
- 16 Leopold Cafe, Colaba Causeway. This place requires no introduction and is a favourite with travellers and locals alike. Serves a mix of Indian, Chinese, Persian, and Continental Food. Also serves great breakfast round the clock; it is renowned for fresh fruit juices.
- Moshe's, Cuffe Parade. Mediterranean food. Extremely popular with locals, and a good, classy mid-range option.
- Paradise, Colaba Causeway. Serves Parsi food and is extremely popular amongst locals, especially those who have been eating here since they were kids. The place is family owned and one must try the chicken steak, the chicken dhansak, and a really nice chicken salad.
- 17 Pizza by the Bay, Soona Mahal, 143, Marine Dr, Churchgate (On the junction of Churchgate Road and Marine Drive). Serves a popular soup and salad buffet lunch. Frequented by locals, both families and young adults, in the evening. Decorated in Art Deco style.
- Rajdhani (near Crawford Market). Serves excellent unlimited thalis. Strictly vegetarian. It has been rated one of the best places to eat in Mumbai. ₹250.
- Royal China (near CSMT). Good Chinese food and a special Dim-sum menu.
- 18 Status, 208 Regent Chambers, Nariman Point, ☏ +91 22 40318722. Very good vegetarian restaurant with a nice atmosphere. No meat nor alcohol here, but you won't miss it: the food is exquisite.
- Thrishna, Kala Ghoda. Damous for its seafood and patronised by locals, as well as expats.
Splurge
[edit]- Fenix, The Oberoi, Marine Drive. Located in the lobby of The Oberoi hotel, it serves a selection of pan-Asian cuisine. Excellent breakfast standards both Indian and Western with brunch served on the weekend. Breakfast: ₹1500 pp, Dinner: ₹4000 for two
- Golden Dragon, Hotel Taj Mahal, Colaba. The upscale Chinese choice for locals and expats.
- Indigo, located in a bylane of Colaba behind the Taj hotel. This is an upscale restaurant serving global food. It also has a bar that gets lively after 9PM. Fantastic Sunday brunch (food+drinks+live music) at about ₹2000.
- Khyber, Kala Ghoda. Nice Indian food at steep prices.
- Lings Pavilion, Colaba behind Taj Hotel. High-end Chinese.
- The Sassy Spoon, Express Towers behind Air India building. A mix of cuisine including Indian, Asian, and Continental dishes. Eclectic decor. Bakery associated with the restaurant next door. Dinner: ₹4000 for two with drinks
- Tendulkar's, in Colaba, near the Royal Bombay Yacht Club. Cricket player Sachin Tendulkar's restaurant. A mix of continental and Indian cuisine including Sachin's favourite dishes.
- Thai Pavilion, The Taj President, Cuffe Parade near Colaba. The only legitimate Thai restaurant in the city.
- Trattoria, Taj President, Cuffe Parade. 24 hour coffee shop. Excellent pizzas. Can get extremely crowded on Sundays.
- Wasabi, Hotel Taj Mahal, Colaba. Japanese restaurant with a Nobu Chef.
Drink
[edit]- The Bayview Bar, at the lobby level of The Oberoi. Mumbai has an arresting view of the Arabian Sea and the finest range of single malts and Habanos cigars. “George and Soft Rock Revolution” perform at the bar and sooth you with their charming renditions of Jazz Classics. Open from 5PM-1AM. ☏ +91 22 6632 6220.
- 1 Bootlegger's, Colaba Causeway. A small popular pub off Causeway. Reasonable drinks, ask for Jenga or Scrabble to play as drinking games.
- 2 Cafe Mondegar, Colaba Causeway. Mondy's, as it's popularly called, serves excellent pitchers of Kingfisher, and at rock-bottom prices. Beer and wine are the only alcohols on the menu. Has a live jukebox and functions as a bar (beer and wine served) and restaurant. Food is a mix of Indian, Continental and Parsi, and the ambience is fun and low-key. Variety of TVs around showing sports games. Again extremely popular with local college kids. Suffers from a regrettable tendency to cram as many tables into a small space as possible and sports a stereo system whose power isn't flattered by the echoey acoustics.
- Gokul, behind the Taj. It is frequented by anyone who wants an inexpensive drink served quickly.
- Indigo — An exclusive lounge and bar at Colaba causeway behind Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is a not to miss destination. ☏ +91 22 56368980. On the expensive side with an average drink costing ₹250 upwards. Boasts of a large wine collection and also serves superb fusion food. Excellent alcoholic Sunday brunch.
- Sports Bar, Colaba Causeway. Come unwind at Sports Bar after haggling for trinkets on Causeway. Cheap (₹150 or so) drinks, pool table, and games on all screens.
- Tavern at Hotel Fariyas in Colaba shows music videos and is pretty packed, but don't go there if you don't like Linkin Park, etc.
- Wink, At the Taj President. A chill lounge at a nice 5-star hotel. Drinks are ₹400 up
- 3 Woodside Inn, Wodehouse Road, Colaba (Opposite Regal Cinema), ☏ +91 22 22875752. Across the road from Sports Bar, minus the sports. Cocktails are about ₹300, and the ambience is chilled. Good, reasonably priced food too.
Sleep
[edit]| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under ₹3,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 |
| Splurge | Over ₹6,000 |
Budget
[edit]- 1 Apollo Guest House, Colaba Causeway, ☏ +91 22 2204 5540.
- 2 Hotel Lawrence, ITTS House, 33 Saibaba Rd, ☏ +91 22 2284 3618. Check-out: noon. Family-owned, this hotel - the only hotel in Kala Ghoda - offers only basic amenities (no Wi-Fi, shared bathroom, and the only place to charge your phone is in the manager's secure office). The rooms are clean and in good shape, and the manager and his mother are always friendly to chat with. ₹Single, ₹1000 Double.
Mid-range
[edit]- Sheel Hotel, 23 Manohardas St (immediately south of CSMT's south exit; exit the south exit of CSMT, before you cross Walchand Hirachand Marg, look up and you should see a sign for this hotel), ☏ +91 22 22615465. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: 10AM. The is likely to be the cheapest hotel in Mumbai and offers a lot to complain about. The bathrooms are non-flush squat style, and the showers suck, but the price is right and the sheets are clean. This is a particularly good option given its extreme proximity to CSMT, saving you the hassle of a taxi ride, putting you in the spectacular Fort area, and sparing you from the lameness of Colaba. Dirty rooms, dirty sheets, mice. ₹900.
- 3 Ship Hotel, 3 Rd Floor, Bharti Bhavan (walk out CSMT's south exit, turn left until you hit PD Mello road, it's on PD Mello road's east side, immediately east of CSMT), ☏ +91 22 22617613. Check-in: 9AM, check-out: 9AM. One of the, if not "the", cheapest places in Mumbai. The cheap prices make it extremely popular with Indian businessmen and tourists. Arrive at 9AM for the best chance to bag a room, but it's extremely close to CSMT make it easy to check first when you get off the train, if it's full, the surrounding Fort area (between CST and Colaba) is a much better option to find cheap hotels instead of Colaba. ₹140 for a basic dorm bed, ₹180 for A/C Dorm Bed, ₹220 for a Single (no A/C, Shared Bathroom), and ₹330 for a double (non A/C) (non A/C) Shared Bathroom.
Splurge
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- 4 The Oberoi, Nariman Point, ☏ +91 22 6632 5757, Natasha.Mehta@oberoihotels.com. Reserved luxury hotel on the waterfront.
- 5 Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Shivaji Rd, Apollo Bunder, ☏ +91 22 6665 3366, tmhbc.bom@tajhotels.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. The landmark hotel close to the Gateway of India, along with the Oberoi is one of the oldest five-star hotels in India. The building was commissioned in the Indo-Saracenic style by Tata and first opened its doors to guests on 16 December 1903. The builder was Khansaheb Sorabji Ruttonji Contractor who also designed and built its famous central floating staircase. The cost of construction was £250,000 (£127 million today). During World War I, the hotel was converted into a 600-bed hospital. The dome of the hotel is made from steel as used in the Eiffel Tower. Jamsetji Tata imported the same steel during that time. The hotel was the first in India to install and operate a steam elevator. The hotel imported American fans, German elevators, Turkish baths and English butlers, for the first time in India. The hotel was damaged in the Mumbai bombings in 2008 but has now been reopened and fully restored. Expect five-star amenities and a hefty price coming with it. ₹23,010–25,000.
- 6 Taj Mahal Tower, Shivaji Rd, Apollo Bunder, ☏ +91 22 6665 3000. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. A wing of the Taj Hotel, this tower hotel was built on the site of the historic Green's Hotel, constructed as flats in 1890, and operated by Tata as a hotel from 1904 until its demolition to build the tower. Despite being owned by the same company that owns the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Taj Mahal Tower is relatively cheaper than the former. ₹15,000–17,000.