mumbai stopover

[pipsqueak]

we have a 24 hour stopover in mumbai and am trying to book a hotel to get the most out of the stopover . anyone have any v iews on where to stay - we have foudn a few hotels by the gate of india but not sure if this is the best part of the city or should we be further north near the airport- juhu beach or somewhere else?

I have only done business hotels in Mumbai but have stayed in and had no problems in the Taj Mahal, The Trident Nariman Point and ITC Grand Central.

Taxis are very cheap if you need to get about.

thanks tefal - will have alook a t these . would you say thre is an area to aim for ?

I wouldn't say specific to areas but specific to hotels and the facilities they have on offer.

For me, I'd personally find a good hotel and then use taxis/drivers to get me where I need to be.

As i said, I have only ever been with work so haven't really done lots of the touristy bits.

Have a look through the mumbai forum on trip advisor as I think you'd get a better answer from there rather from me.

thanks tefal - good idea .thx

Either approach has merit. If you stay somewhere like Bandra then you'd be looking at around 45 minutes journey from there to get into central Mumbai (may be less now that they've opened the big new bridge), but you're relatively close to the airport. If you stay near the Gate of India you're right in the thick of things but it will take you a while to get there and back from the airport.

What do you want to actually squeeze in while you are there? If you're thinking in terms of seeing the major landmarks, wandering around soaking up atmosphere and going to markets then I'd probably go for the Gate of India area options. If you're thinking more of specific trips to specific places (museums etc.) you'd probably be taking a driver or taxis anyway so I'd be more inclined to stay north to make the airport transfers easier.

thanks prof - my instinct is to go south to gate of india area as i want to soak up and experience the city but i was concerned it would be commercial centre and a bit "shut up" in the evenings iykwim. probably wont go for museums et c as so little time. you have helped me make up my mind so thanks for your help