Hotel Elphinstone Annexe

I feel one of the good hotels in Mumbai. The cleanliness is top notch. The staff is exceptionally good.

When you step out of your taxi and look at the outside of this hotel I wouldn't blame you if, on first impression, you jump right back in the taxi and find an alternative place to stay! The outside of the hotel looks terrible and, as you enter the door and go up the flight of stairs, your view of the hotel is only going to get worse and you will - as I did - wonder what on earth you've let yourself in for. However, when you enter the hotel itself on the first floor it's like you enter a tranquil alternative universe. A lot of money has obviously been spent on the place - it's well appointed, clean, well looked after and very inviting. The staff are extremely professional and make you feel like you're in a much grander location than the one outside the hotel. Just one niggle - the hot water tanks are ridiculously small so remember to turn the water off in the shower as you lather up!!! Top tip - the café underneath the restaurant looks rather dark and intimidating but give it a go - it serves the best lassi I've ever tasted in India, and the food is extremely tasty and almost ridiculously cheap. Officers from the neighbouring police station regularly eat there so don't worry about your safety, despite the look of the place. As for the hotel itself, it doesn't have a restaurant, but the staff are more than happy to place an order for you with a nearby restaurant. If you're a shopaholic Crawford Market is only 10 minutes' walk away where you can buy just about anything.