Mumbai manages to captivate all your senses and is a high energy city filled with aspirations. Nestled within the luxurious High Street Phoenix, in the heart of the Maximum city, The St.Regis Mumbai exudes style and a vibrant energy. Jyoti Balani takes a tour of the plush ambience, warmth and luxurious hotel that manages to enchant everyone who visits.
The St.Regis Mumbai is Mumbai’s most sought-after lifestyle destinations what with its buzzing night clubs, stylish bars, plush lounges and exceptional restaurants. Starwood’s ultra luxury brand with its refined elegance and Signature Butler service threw opened it’s doors last year to welcome guests. I visited this stylish hotel last week and came back impressed with the ambiance, food and service.
Approximately 50 minutes away from the international airport, this hotel sits proudly between the city’s two main commercial areas – Nariman Point and Bandra Kurla Complex. Located in the financial and technological hub of the city, where all the actions happens, The St. Regis is definitely a prestigious address where everyone in the city aspires to be. The hotel’s design captures an urban aristocratic style, complemented by warm tones and specially commissioned artworks which lend an elegant and stylish touch to the guest rooms and public spaces. With 386 well appointed guest rooms including 27 suites and 33 residential suites for extended stays which feature a kitchen, a spacious living room and the option of one or two bedrooms, St. Regis is very well equipped to handle the well heeled traveler. The hotel often plays host to the most prestigious and glamourous events that take place in the country.
After a hassle free check-in, we were escorted to a luxurious residential suite on the 31st floor of the hotel. An eclectic mix of classic and contemporary décor, designed with Indian tikri work specially commissioned from master craftsmen of Rajasthan, makes all the rooms at The St.Regis Mumbai a treat for the eyes. A hand-written note by the Area General Manager for Starwood India, Anuraag Bhatnagar, a box of fine chocolates and other goodies made us feel even more welcome. The windows offered a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea what with The St.Regis Mumbai being located in the tallest hotel tower of the city.
The stylish hotel houses four award winning restaurants and elegant nightlife destinations. The legendary St. Regis afternoon tea ritual comes alive in the Drawing Room where local Indian teas are also served along with delectable food. The St. Regis bar also serves its own signature version of the iconic cocktail Bloody Mary which was created in the iconic King Cole Bar. Called the Mumbai Mary, the cocktail embodies the bold spirit of the city by including spices like cinnamon and coriander to create a soulful Indian version of the classic. While one is sipping the Mumbai Mary sitting in the plush St. Regis bar, one can’t help but notice the beautiful mural in the bar that occupies a place of pride. A mural is an integral part of St.Regis hotels all over the world each depicting the local theme. The mural in The St.Regis Mumbai captures how colourful and busy the Maximum City is and depicts a lot of aspects such as dabbawallas, Bollywood shootings which are particular of the city. A walk around the drawing room is like taking a walk of a museum as it is filled with interesting pieces of art which blend seamlessly into the décor of the lobby, an absolute delight for lovers of art like me.
Given the number of food and beverage outlets in the hotel, it was definitely tough to do justice to all of them in a span of two days. Seven Kitchens with its natural light, vast interiors, international cuisine and popular Sunday brunches is popular for family outings, I visited this expansive restaurant for breakfast one of the days. The Sahib Room & Kipling Bar inspired by the colonial era is renowned for its robust Indian flavours and delicacies. Inspired by the lives and times of the ‘Sahibs’ in the colonial era, an empty seat is always reserved for the literary genius Rudyard Kipling in the bar that takes its name from this prolific writer. A unique menu that showcases specialties from Hyderabad, Awadh and Kashmir, this restaurant is an ode to regal Indian food and is a great place to stop by for an elaborate lunch which is what I did. A meal at By the Mekong is a gastronomic journey through China, Vietnam and Thailand. I tried their authentic variety of dim sums here on a Sunday afternoon; the views of the racecourse and the Arabian Sea from the windows are fantastic as it is located on Level 37. Yuuka also located on Level 37 is a 50-seater Japanese-inspired space that houses soaring ceiling-height and eternity-edged window frames which afford fabulous views of the city’s skyline. Elegant raw silk chairs and solid wooden and slate block tables draw inspiration from the traditional Japanese Tatami seating. Yuuka showcases plenty of innovations specially created for this restaurant along with some signature dishes from the brilliant Chef Ting Yen’s Boston menu. We started a meal with the unique Avocado Tartare (Crispy Carrot Chips, Corn Dashi, Beurre Monte Served on ice) followed by a sushi platter and the innovative Salmon on Fire. The meal ended with beautifully styled desserts such as the Coconut Sphere with Coffee Mousse and Yuzu Sorbet and Green Tea Layer Cake with Matcha Dust and Aged Rum Soaked Raisins.
An entire floor spanning 22,000 square feet is dedicated to wellness at the sprawling hotel, where the gym, Iridium spa and an outdoor infinity pool are located. The Iridium spa consists of nine therapy rooms that include a couple suite and is done up in muted shades of beige and brown and decorated with modern oriental accents. Therapists at the spa specialize in incorporating natural botanical extracts which rejuvenate and rebalance the mind and body.
The St. Regis Mumbai is not just a hotel but a luxurious destination for those who enjoy the fine things in life! The hotel manages to cater to local and international sensibilities and is a perfect place to unwind for both the business traveler as well as a tourist. Combining traditional Indian hospitality with modern touches to facilitate convenience for guests, it definitely is one of the finest hotels in the country currently and one worth visiting!
Address: 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013, India / +91 22 6162 8000
