Garden Hotel

Mr. Girish made our stay memorable. We’d booked a standard room, but when he saw we were travelling with our young daughter, he upgraded us to a deluxe room at no extra charge. The facilities were excellent, and the whole staff was warm, attentive, and professional. One of the best hotels in Colaba for comfort and genuine hospitality. Highly recommended.

The location was a real plus for exploring the Colaba seafront and nearby flea markets, and the room service and main gate staff were polite and helpful. But the high room rate is hard to justify. The hotel dates to around 1978, and the age shows in the dated furniture, bathroom fittings, and interiors. The room and bathroom were clean, though the sheets looked worn, and there was a strange smell throughout my stay. The basic bathroom amenities were also insufficient, and the room intercom didn’t work, making it difficult to reach room service or the front desk. I stayed one night. The place needs renovation and better upkeep.

Breakfast was next door, and there was plenty of it. The waiters were friendly if you tipped, though I didn’t like being asked for tips repeatedly, especially when leaving. We stayed on the second floor, and someone was outside our window at night. There are bars in front, but you can reach in and take things from the bedside table, so keep the windows shut. The room and bedding were clean, hot water was always available, and the washing facilities were very good. It’s on a quiet, peaceful side street with beautiful houses next door, yet close to the attractions and Elephant Island trips.

We liked having a meal in the open garden seating, with all the greenery and a refreshing feel that’s unusual for a city restaurant. It’s a calm place to unwind after walking around the busy Fort area, tucked behind the Gateway of India and near the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The food was good, especially for vegetarians, the service was decent, and the place was well maintained. A nice spot for a quiet meal near the Gateway.