The Telegraph

Telegraph Review/ Shoba Narayan/ Travel writer 

This modern hotel flanked by financial companies, craft breweries, and restaurants is located in the heart of the Bandra-Kurla business district. The spa, swimming pool, three great restaurants, fitness centre, club-level rooms and brisk service make it a compelling option for travellers.

Location

8/10

Bandra-Kurla, once a swampland, is now a buzzing business district. Its clean wide roads would be great for jogging were it not for Mumbai’s humid weather. All around the hotel are newly built high-rise residential complexes, two of Mumbai’s best schools – the American School and the Ambani School – and a gargantuan Reliance Convention Centre, touted to be a game-changer with its bullet-proof rooms and auditoriums suited for heads of state. There are a number of restaurants and craft breweries in the area.

Style & character

8 / 10

Contemporary, modern and minimalist with Indian touches. The hotel has multi-floor hanging glass sculptures reminiscent of Dale Chihuly at the entrance; metal sculptures by Bangalore-based artist Dimpy Menon adorn the corners. Minimalist white marble, geometric lines and splashes of red from the abstract paintings give the hotel an attractive functional character. There are spots of sumptuousness: the Indian restaurant, Maya, has an entire wall with hand-painted gold leaf layered over a red finish.

Service & facilities

9/ 10

The service is exceptional. The wait staff at all three restaurants quickly discern culinary preferences. Housekeeping delights with extra touches including fragrant bath salts, nail polish remover, and towels that are transformed into elephant sculptures.

An outdoor swimming pool overlooks the high-rises nearby. The spa has excellent therapists from the Northeast (ask for Sydney) who can feel and ease knots on the shoulders with a sure touch. Modern takes on ayurvedic therapies, are also available, along with aromatherapy massages, wraps, and scrubs.

The fitness centre, open 24 hours, has weights and a good range of equipment. Parking available.

  • Wi-Fi

  • Fitness centre

  • Laundry

  • Parking

  • Bar

  • Pool

  • Restaurant

  • Room service

  • Sauna

  • Spa

  • Steam room/hammam

Shoba's Notes

The staff, mostly in their early twenties, are enthusiastic about what they do and have been trained to offer options rather than be obsequious.

Club level rooms get their own butlers – a great luxury.

They provide customised service ranging from unpacking suitcases to booking a car.

Rooms

8/ 10

The sun-drenched pie-shaped standard rooms follow the same beige-and-red colour palette that permeates the hotel. The views are distinctly urban, given the high-rises all around.  Blinds go up and down at the touch of a button. Rooms have safes, televisions, a minibar, coffee and tea, and complimentary high-speed internet. Bathrooms are well appointed with a bathtub, separate shower cubicle, and citrus-scented toiletries. Club Level rooms are spacious with an adjoining sitting area and large bathrooms.

Food & drink

9 / 10
Three restaurants and a pastry shop service the hotel.

Botticino, named after the veined Italian marble that is used in the hotel, serves excellent modern Italian food with a good selection of wine and grappa. Standouts include poached lobster salad, mushroom espuma, their 21-day aged duck breast and most seafood dishes.

Maya serves light Indian food (not an oxymoron with this restaurant), served by course or in a round thali-plate with a variety of dishes arranged in a circle in small containers.

022 (Mumbai’s area code) serves Mumbai street food such as the classic Bombay sandwich with coriander chutney. The breakfast buffet features omelettes, Indian dishes including dosa-crepes, idli-dumplings and excellent coffee.

Adjacent to 022 is the bar. Try the Transatlantic cocktail with Indian spices, Chinese green tea, American acacia honey and Scotch whiskey.

Value for money

8/ 10

Double rooms from 13,440 Rupees (£162) in low season; and from 22,400 Rupees (£270) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Two rooms are equipped for disabled guests with low beds and railings. Public areas are wheelchair accessible.

Family-Friendly?

This is a business hotel without a kids’ club. That said, as at most Indian luxury hotels, the youthful staff are happy to entertain children with stuffed toys, comics, and personalised amenities including Spongebob T-shirts. Babysitters and baby-cots are available on request.  Interconnecting rooms are available.

Address details

C 56, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400098, India.

00 91 22 6672 7777

tridenthotels.com

© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2017

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