Taj Lands End Mumbai

Live piano music accompanies the buzz in Taj Lands End's ever-popular lobby. The airy, three-story atrium is topped with a handsome, wood-beam ceiling, and has sleek, high-gloss floors. Clustered seating on area rugs are splashed with a hint of magenta for a pop of color. The lobby bar occupies half the space, with a common lounge on the other side, and up above, the mezzanine houses a few upscale shops. The atmosphere is always lively with a steady stream of business travelers, who are the majority of the hotel's clientele, but property also draws couples and families with kids.

The Taj Lands End is located on the southern tip of the seaside suburb of Bandra, overlooking the Arabian Sea and Mahim Bay. There isn't much within walking distance aside from a few attractions along the waterfront, but it's a convenient central location for business travelers given its proximity to several commercial districts. The Bandra Kurla Complex, a huge commercial development that's home to numerous financial institutions and corporate offices, is about a 20-minute drive away. Just outside, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link spans the bay, connecting to the office district of Worli in less than 30 minutes by car. Expect a 22- to 30-minute drive to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

The hotel's guest rooms and suites have two distinct decorative styles -- one is bland and traditional verging on dated, and the other is more contemporary and fresh. Most are the former, and could use an update, as they showed some wear. They have a pale, almost pastel palette, with classic wood furniture, and seating areas with upholstered chairs and glass-topped desks. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles with free tea, safes, irons and ironing boards, and shoeshine kits, but the free Wi-Fi isn't high-speed. Bathrooms could use a refresh as well, with granite sinks tiled in pink stone, but they're equipped with bidets, walk-in showers, and separate soaking tubs, and have hairdryers and toiletries. Suites, Grand Luxury Rooms, and Taj Club Rooms have contemporary decor with hardwood floors, and massive, tufted headboards in jet black, or patterned with exotic colors. Seating areas have purple loveseats, work tables paired with ergonomic chairs, and built-in storage that runs the length of a wall. The bathrooms are covered in polished stone, with walk-in rainfall showers, and separate soaking tubs. Taj Club Rooms and suites also have access to the club lounge and butler service. Guests should note that smoking is allowed on some floors. 

Taj Lands End is chock full of amenities for a posh stay. The hotel's outdoor pool has a hot tub and rock waterfall, with a bridge that spans the middle of the pool to link brick sundecks on either side. The sundeck opens up into a huge pool bar terrace, with wicker tables and chairs between umbrellas, and there's more sunbathing space on a large lawn overlooking the sea. Wellness features include a full-service spa with several treatment rooms, men's and women's lockers, and a hair salon. A large 24-hour fitness center has rows of modern cardio machines, weight trainers, and free weights. For dining, Vista is open 24-hours with an international buffet, and there are two fine-dining restaurants; Masala Bay does contemporary and traditional Indian cuisine, while Ming-Yang serves Szechuan in a stylish dining room. The sprawling Atrium Lounge serves cocktails, coffee, and an extensive tea menu along with light bites. There's also 24-hour room service. Business facilities include several meeting rooms and a 24-hour business center with separate work stations.  There's a concierge, laundry services, and the hotel has a kids' program and offers babysitting for an additional fee. On-site parking is free, and so is Wi-Fi throughout, but it isn't high-speed.