Mumbai city boasts of some of the biggest brands in the hotel industry. Recently I had the pleasure of being hosted by the Hilton Mumbai International Airport, a 19th century palace themed luxury boutique hotel. Hilton Mumbai International Airport is an upscale, 171-room luxury boutique hotel and offers a unique blend of colonial-era influences and contemporary design. At just a five-minute drive from the international airport, a 15-minute drive from the domestic airport and within easy access of the commercial, shopping and entertainment centres in Mumbai, the hotel has charming rooms that reflect an old world charm that is hard to replicate in modern hotels these days.
Hilton Mumbai International Airport’s architecture is a lively blend of colonial design with contemporary features, reflecting a European elegance with the ambiance of a stately home. In addition to its beautifully decorated guest rooms and tastefully designed suites accented with different hues of wood and cream and beige soft furnishings, the hotel has some interesting food and beverage outlets as well that are worth visiting.
I was welcomed during lunch by the General Manager Bhagwan Balani who has recently joined the Hilton Mumbai International Airport. Bhagwan brings with him a wealth of experience having spent twenty two years in the hotel industry including four years as a general manager. Well-known to the hotel business, Bhagwan’s career has included being in various positions in food and beverage as well as sales and marketing.
Balaji Srinivasan, the hotel’s new executive sous chef, said: “I am delighted to be a part of the wonderful Hilton family. I look forward to making impactful contributions for delighting our guests with worldwide palette and to continue the company’s focus on local fresh ingredients in food preparation.” Balaji brings 20 years of experience to his new role at Hilton Mumbai International Airport. In his former role at Whassan Nigeria Limited (Adasa Catering Services Ltd), he was responsible for food production, restaurant management, supply chain management, health and safety; and many other responsibilities. In Balaji Srinivasan’s words: “Chefs get their inspirations from everywhere; the best chefs learn every day. Food is a vast ocean with so many ingredients still waiting to be found.” Prior to Whassan Nigeria Limited, Balaji was associated with Taj group of hotels between December 2005 to April 2011. His wide experience ranges from working at Taj Tashi Bhutan, Taj Blue Diamond Pune and Taj Exotica Goa. During my stay, the talented chef curated an interesting meal for me which depicted his culinary journey spread over various parts of the world.
The Brasserie, an all-day dining restaurant which overlooks the pool, is beautifully designed with an ornate staircase leading you to it one level down from the hotel’s lobby. This eatery serves a sumptuous buffet of exotic cuisines from Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean. Imperial China serves some of the best Chinese cuisine and is adorned with cascading, shimmering Austrian crystal chandeliers and rich drapes. The Crystal Lounge, which is located at the lobby level, is ideal for informal business discussions or simply unwinding to live music. A white piano located in the lobby is the highlight of the beautiful décor and adds to the colonial charm of this venue. I felt really relaxed while sitting in the Lounge Bar which has a colonial charm and a beautiful fireplace with plush seating. The Brasserie Grill, a popular seasonal restaurant is located at the poolside and it offers the best of al fresco dining.
Hilton Mumbai International Airport is also equipped with 4,847 square feet of function space; a 2,420-square-foot ballroom and five stately halls exuding a charming European ambience. The function facilities provide flexible seating arrangements, large pre-function areas and the latest in audio-visual technology – ideal for corporate events, social functions and glamorous wedding banquets. The hotel also offers business travelers a 24-hours functional Business Centre with four meeting rooms equipped with wireless internet access. The Executive Floor Lounge provides a quick and private check-in/-out service, complimentary breakfast, refreshments served throughout the day, as well as multi-functional meeting rooms and high-speed Internet access to cater to different business needs.
For those who need to rejuvenate, the hotel houses Esprit – Spa and Fitness Centre located at the property offers two treatment rooms and a fully equipped gymnasium. There is also an expansive swimming pool for guests who are looking for a dip.
The Hilton Mumbai International Airport is a destination in itself with its old world charm, beautiful spaces, fabulous food and warm hospitality, definitely worth several visits when in Mumbai!
Address: Sahar Airport Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400 099.
