Recently I was invited to a press trip to 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.
Ravi Rai is the new general manager for Hilton Mumbai International Airport, the intimate, stylish hotel conveniently located near the international airport of Mumbai. Ravi is responsible for overseeing hotel operations for the 171-room hotel along with its F&B program. His last assignment was at Novotel Chennai Sipcot in the role of general manager.
Ravi brings with him a wealth of experience having 18 years in the hotel industry including three years as a general manager. Well-known to the hotel business, Ravi’s career has included being in various positions in food and beverage. His previous roles have been with Novotel Visakhapatnam, Ibis Novotel Bengaluru, Park Plaza Bengaluru, and Vivanta by Taj Kovalam.
Described as an industrious, dynamic professional by his colleagues, Ravi worked his way up the ladder in a short span of time. With his first association with Hilton, Ravi mentioned, “It is my honor to be part of the 100 years old legacy of Mr. Conrad Hilton and his vision which established the beautiful hospitality of Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Mumbai International Airport is a beautiful hotel with a robust team, who are ever dedicated to provide exceptional services to our valued guests.” Ravi is passionate about sports and fitness. In his leisure time, Ravi prefers to complete reading a new book or spend time with his wife and young son.
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 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.
The award-winning, fine-dining restaurant ‘Imperial China’ is one such symbol of culinary perfection. Chef Thomas Lai is heading the culinary team of Imperial China as a Sous Chef. Hilton Mumbai International Airport is owned by B.D. & P. Hotels (India) Private Limited.
Thomas brings over 31 years of experience in mastering Chinese and Pan-Asian food to his role at Hilton Mumbai International Airport. In his diverse course of the culinary journey, he has worked with several stand-alone Chinese restaurants and establishments in India, such as – (Gurgaon) Kingdom of Dreams, (Mumbai) Rodas an Ecotel Hotel, Chopsticks, Journey’s End to name a few. He also carries international work exposure with his stint at (Saudi Arabia) Golden Palace restaurant and (Abu Dhabi) Nanking Chinese restaurant.
“The food at Imperial China has always been authentic Chinese & Pan-Asian, which the connoisseurs of good food have appreciated. I am happy to continue the memorable dining experience that our guests enjoy and love at the restaurant. My cooking style is influenced by the knowledge passed down the generations in my Chinese family, and from the masters of Chinese and Asian kitchen who have groomed me over the years.” said Chef Thomas.
The team at Imperial China is excited to offer a new dining experience with intimate ambiance and inclusion of completely new menu selection for our guests. The Food & Beverage Manager of Hilton Mumbai International Airport – Brijesh Singh is excited with this new talent in the team and mentioned “Our guests deserve the best Chinese and pan-Asian food, that we are recognized, praised, and awarded for. However, innovation is a part of the Hilton culture and we always promise to bring you new and exciting offerings. The intimate dining experience at Imperial China is about to usher in a new and fresh menu selection, which is inventive, yet traditional.”
Chef Thomas is reenergizing the dining experience at Imperial China, with his new curated menu with the authentic taste of several Chinese and Pan-Asian delicacies. “I am particular about using only fresh and quality ingredients available in the market. I have redesigned the menu with new ingredients, which valued patrons of Imperial China have desired in their feedbacks. My new menu is all about the innovative style of presentation with precise Asian flavors.” said Chef Thomas.
Chef Thomas Lai can be identified as a friendly, guest-focused chef who loves meeting guests and gathering their feedback about the food. Chef Thomas is humbly recognized as the Chinese-by-Birth, but Indian-by-Heart. He is a second generation Chinese. His family is based in Kolkata. In his past time, Chef Thomas prefers to play his favorite game of Table Tennis.
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 & 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!
Address: Sahar Airport Rd, Ashok Nagar, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099, India
Phone: +91 22 2838 0000
Website: hilton.com
