Abode Bombay

Abode Bombay, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property in Mumbai, offers a unique blend of colonial charm, contemporary design, and exceptional hospitality, making it a highly-rated boutique hotel in the bustling heart of Colaba.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Abode Bombay consistently receives exceptional reviews, with an impressive overall rating of 8.8 on Agoda and 8.9 on Booking.com. Guests frequently describe their stay as "unforgettable" and "a true gem." The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the hotel's distinctive character and the dedicated service provided by its staff. Its selection for the Michelin Key further solidifies its reputation for outstanding hospitality, design, comfort, and guest experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise Abode Bombay for several standout features:

• Exceptional Location: Situated in the heart of Colaba, it offers unparalleled access to major attractions.
• Outstanding Service & Staff: The team is repeatedly lauded for being incredibly friendly, helpful, and attentive, often going above and beyond for guests.
• Unique Design & Ambiance: The hotel's visual appeal, characterized by beautifully styled shared spaces with antique Bombay decor and a colonial-Indian-boho hybrid vibe, creates a warm and tranquil atmosphere.
• Delicious Breakfast: The breakfast, featuring a mix of Indian cuisine and continental options, receives high marks for quality and taste.

3. Room Quality

Abode Bombay's 20 rooms are thoughtfully designed, blending cosmopolitan sensibilities with warm nostalgia for Mumbai's past. Rooms are described as spacious, clean, well-maintained, and comfortable, ensuring a relaxing retreat. Design elements include teak floorboards from demolished buildings, hand-laid intricate floor tiles, silk pillow cushions crafted from old saris, and Art Deco antiques sourced locally. Some rooms feature unique touches like roll-top baths, Ayurvedic copper water jugs, and ceramic tiffin pots. Guests appreciate amenities such as earplugs and eye masks, provided due to potential street noise. While most rooms are elegant and air-conditioned with private bathrooms, some "Basic Double Rooms" come with shared toilets, which guests note are surprisingly well-maintained and clean.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's dining experience primarily revolves around its well-regarded breakfast, served until a "civilized 12pm". Guests frequently commend the delightful breakfast for its variety of delicious Indian dishes and continental options, often described as having a "home-cooked" feel. Plant-based milk options are also available. While there is an on-site cafe with a good atmosphere that is open to the public during the day, the hotel does not offer lunch or dinner service beyond breakfast, requiring guests to seek other dining options for those meals. However, room service for other meals is mentioned as an option with a menu of Indian and international cuisine, showcasing traditional Mumbai street food to gourmet delicacies.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Abode Bombay are consistently highlighted as a major strength, receiving a remarkable rating of 9.4 for staff performance. The dedicated and attentive team is known for being incredibly supportive, friendly, and genuinely helpful, going "above and beyond" to ensure guests have a pleasant and personalized stay. Guests have praised staff for assisting with travel arrangements, providing invaluable local insights, accommodating special requests, and even caring for guests during illness. The front desk team, in particular, has garnered praise for their helpfulness.

6. Location & Accessibility

Abode Bombay boasts an "exceptional location" with a rating of 9.5 and 9.7, situated right in the heart of Colaba, Mumbai's most popular tourist and business district. It's conveniently located near major attractions:

• Gateway of India: A 5-minute walk away.
• Taj Palace Hotel: A 5-minute walk away.
• Regal Cinema and Café Mondegar: Even closer landmarks.
• Marine Drive: A short stroll, offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST): Approximately 1.4 km away and easily accessible by taxi or train.

While Mumbai's public transport links are not extensive, the hotel is close to several major railway stations and offers airport transfer services, including a socially conscious option of female drivers for airport pickups.

7. Value & Pricing

Abode Bombay is considered to offer "exceptional value for money." With an average room price around $86 (or €55-€64), it is competitively priced compared to the average hotel room in Mumbai, which stands at approximately $76. Guests often feel it is well worth the cost, especially considering its prime location, unique ambiance, and high level of service.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms or minor issues have been noted by guests:

• Room Size: Some reviews mention that certain room categories, particularly those with shared bathrooms, can be small.
• Shared Bathrooms: While consistently clean, the concept of shared bathrooms for specific room types is a point of consideration for some guests.
• Street Noise: Due to its central location, rooms facing the street can experience noise from cars and honking throughout the night, although the hotel provides earplugs.
• Limited Breakfast Options: A few guests have expressed that while delicious, the breakfast menu offered limited choices compared to larger hotels.
• Building Exterior/Stairwell: The ground floor and stairwell of the colonial building, while not entirely part of the hotel, have been noted by some as needing maintenance and polishing, potentially creating a less inviting first impression upon arrival.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. booking.com
4. freepressjournal.in
5. wheree.com
6. booking.com
7. thehotelguru.com
8. michelin.com
9. ahotellife.com
10. hotelsofmumbai.com
11. agoda.com
12. abodeboutiquehotels.com
13. kayak.com
14. kayak.ie