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MUST try Gateway to

Visiting on business? You could do worse than staying in one of India’s most suite’s dining area; the paneer being conveniently located directly next to famous hotels, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, says Laurel Munshower. some of the best we have ever tasted the popular tourist spot, the Gateway of with a perfectly creamy texture. India, and sandwiched in the midst of ith trade between India and we’ve ever lounged at. Neighborhood? It we could only have been more thrilled As far as food goes, you’ll not be for innumerable cafes, shops and museums, the UAE growing to an all-time would be difficult to call boring. had we been upgraded into the Palace want of anything within the Taj. The all within easy walking distance. The Whigh, the chances are that This neighborhood in is wing. Alas, another time, perhaps. fine dining establishments specializing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu you’re likely to be heading to Mumbai in an unceasing mix of people, sights and The room proved to be extraordi- in cuisine from Japanese to French and Sangrahalaya, formerly known as The the not-too-distant future. Many execu- sounds. Finally, the Taj Mahal Palace and narily spacious and very comfortable everything in between include Wasabi by Prince of Wales Museum, features collec- tives who use India’s business capital as Tower even ticks the optional “luxury” with a living area, dining area, kitch- Morimoto, Masala Kraft, Souk, Zodiac tions of art, archaeology and natural a hub tend to use the hotels around the box. The iconic hotel is eponymous with enette, bedroom, walk-in closet and Grill and Golden Dragon to name just a history, although the most impressive airport, but if you’re in the market for opulence, and its peaceful interiors laden foyer that were filled with heritage few. While our stay at the Taj was short, bit may be the building itself, which, something more central, with a bit more with sumptuous décor fit for a Maha- décor. Not spacious? The bathroom. as a huge fan of Chef Masaharu Morimoto, built in the same Indo-Saracenic style history and culture, you would do well rajah. The staff are there to please and all For as large as the suite was, we really we had to try his restaurant, Wasabi. After as the Taj, is nothing short of gorgeous. to consider the Taj Mahal Palace and of our requests were dealt with promptly felt that the bath area definitely could years of multiple dining experiences at his Walking further south from the hotel Tower, located in Apollo Bunder, Colaba. and cheerfully. have been more indulgent, especially American restaurants, we found Wasabi to into Colaba you’ll find busy streets filled Character? Check. The Palace, or Outside of rush hour traffic, the Taj is considering all of the space used for be predictably tasty although perhaps not with vendors and cafes such as Leopold “Heritage”, wing of the hotel opened a 60-90 minute drive from Chhatrapati the walk-in closet and kitchenette, both quite up to par with his American coun- Café, made famous in Gregory David in 1903 and today the grand building’s Shivaji International Airport (the hotel areas we felt were unnecessary. The terparts; additionally, the atmosphere was Robert’s novel Shantaram. Indo-Saracenic architecture still bril- does offer airport transfer for an added sights from the room were wonderful, somewhat lacking, although to be fair it We were particularly impressed by liantly recalls an era long gone. The fee if you’re staying in the Tower wing; including an uninterrupted view of the was rather early in the evening. As usual, a delicatessen called Indigo (Pheroze newer extension, the Tower wing, was it’s complimentary for guests in the — certainly worth the rock shrimp tempura was a spicy, Building, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maha- built in 1973 and while its exterior may Palace wing). While the drive is likely paying the extra money for if deciding tangy treat to the taste buds and it’s hard rishi Marg), serving up a selection of not look as impressive as the Palace wing, to be a bit chaotic due to the roads, once between the city or sea view rooms. to go wrong with a few slices of Oh toro inventive sandwiches, ultra-thin pizzas the dignified interior is still nothing to inside the hotel you are surrounded by Starving from the journey in, the next (fatty tuna) — the king of sashimi. While and magnificent pastries. If you have the be scoffed at. Amenities? Absolutely. a welcome calm that quickly soothes. natural step at 1:00am was to order these were old, familiar friends, we also time and an exploratory nature, a trip The hotel offers up a tempting mix of Check-in was efficiently handled and some room service. Without a doubt, tried three new dishes. to Elephanta Island, a UNESCO World fine dining in a wide variety of cuisines we were delighted with a compli- this was the fanciest curry delivery First up, an appetiser of salmon Heritage Site filled with cave temples, and designer shopping opportunities such mentary room upgrade to one of the we’ve had ever experienced. Served by a avocado tacos where the crunch of would be recommended. Due to the as Louis Vuitton and Dior. There’s also Tower wing’s one-bedroom suites with waiter in dinner jacket and white gloves, the lightly salted crispy taco worked hour-long ferry journeys to and from, the Jiva Spa, a fitness centre, a business views of the sea. Having originally supper consisted of delicious paneer in perfect contrast with the rich and and the size of the site, a day should centre and one of the most relaxing pools booked a standard room facing the city, makhani and aloo gosht curries in the creamy avocado and salmon. For the be set aside for the trip (the ferries are entrée, we decided to indulge on the located in the harbor just outside of the panko-crusted lobster entrée, which Taj, next to the Gateway of India). was good - no more, no less. The lobster After a day — or even a busy morning itself was perfectly fine, but the prepa- — of exploring Mumbai, returning to ration was a bit more blasé than we were the Taj is like being enveloped in a Wasabi prices hoping for. The panko, which we are tranquil oasis. The grounds are beau- Salmon avocado tacos AED125 generally huge fans of, did not work very tiful, especially the pretty poolside Oh toro AED45 well with the lobster, as the dry, grainy veranda (serving decidedly average Rock Shrimp tempura AED85 Panko lobster AED175 texture seemed to overwhelm the meat coffee, sadly), the rooms comfortable room service at times. Stuffed though we were, we and luxurious, and the dining options Paneer Makhani AED55 couldn’t resist dessert and soon found a offer something for all tastes so that Aloo Gosht AED75 chocolate tart with mango passion sauce you really don’t ever need to leave the Jeera Pulao AED35 on the table. The tart was extremely hotel if you’d rather not. We’ll admit to Taj Mahal Tower rooms start from rich, but you’ll find no complaints from one complaint, however, and that would AED1,785 (based on double occupancy); us about that, with a velvety texture be that the hotel’s wifi was not comple- Taj Mahal Palace rooms start from accompanied by the fruit sauce. mentary. It is somewhat staggering that AED2,390 (based on double occupancy). The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Apollo If you’re keen to explore the in this day and age, you will still find Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai – 400 001, Ma- surrounding area, there’s certainly some hotels where its guests must pay harashtra, India. T: +91 22 6665 3366. enough to keep you busy. The Taj is for wifi usage on top of the room rates.

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