Contributor/ Woody Anderson
Best Known For
The Taj Lands End is the sister hotel to the iconic Taj Palace. Whilst the Taj Palace is a tourist attraction in its own right, the Taj Lands End is a calm oasis in the sprawling Mumbai metropolis. Situated in Bandra, a coastal playground for the rich and famous, the hotel boasts breathtaking views of the Arabian sea and is a hangout for Bollywood’s movers and shakers.
The Good Stuff
The hotel is guarded from the outside world by lines of palm trees that shelter guests from prying eyes. Marry this with its beautifully maintained lawns and jasmine scented hallways; you are transported from the real Mumbai into a relaxed tropical paradise. The staff are uber attentive, knowledgable and passionate about what they do; determined to cater to your every need. The lobby is spacious, bright and tastefully decorated and houses a small selection of shops including Louis Vuitton and the Taj’s own brand Khazana.
The Vibe
Visiting Mumbai to attend the T20 Cricket World Cup, we wanted to stay somewhere we could relax and unwind, somewhere to retreat from the hectic streets of one of the most densely populated cities in the world. A holiday resort of sorts, but also somewhere centrally located. We found that haven in the Taj Lands End. Perched on a small peninsular, the surrounding area has minimal traffic but direct access to downtown Mumbai via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, a new landmark bridge.
Inside the Hotel – 8/10
The pool area is a refreshing welcome and hosts an array of sun-seekers from pilots to holidaying Indian families. There is a diverse variety of global cuisine on offer; The Maritime by San Lorenzo is the savour of the famous Knightsbridge establishment, delivering a true authentic Italian experience. The Dim Sum from Ming Yang was a lunchtime highlight, and if it’s good enough for Fawad Khan the Bollywood megastar who was sitting a table away, then it’s good enough for me.
Outside the Hotel – 7/10
Bandra – the “Queen of Suburbs” is a creative hub which has been compared to Shoreditch or Williamsburg. There is the Bombay Art Society housed within a spectacular new architectural delight, Chapel Road which is famed for its street art, and the graphic design hub Kulture Shop. In addition, the area buzzes with a multitude of trendy bars and restaurants. Local residents include Bollywood royalty Shahrukh Khan who lives just 50 meters away from the hotel, and Aamir Khan who’s a member of the hotel gym and was checking into the Jiva Spa at the same time as we were. If his experience was anything like ours, then he must of floated all the way back to his mansion.
taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-lands-end-mumbai
Image courtesy of Taj Hotels
