India- Mumbai *ITC Maratha Mumbai*love life

Mumbai - Bombay *updated 23Oct2012
GMT +0530

Mumbai - Bombay
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*Latest News! From 1st Nov2012, crew will be moving about 15km down south from the airport,
nearer to city center and attractions. Click here for where Crew Currently Stay The Four Seasons

Where crew stays:ITC Maratha Mumbai,Sahar, Mumbai India 400099

ITC Maratha Mumbai,Sahar, Mumbai India 400099
Click here for ABBA location of Hotel
Located a U-Turn and several horns away from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, this hotel shouts grandeur, opulent décor and service. Surrounded by active construction, the hotel barricades itself from the shanty towns which lie a little beyond its walls. High security checks for the hotel, with baggage x-rays as well as metal detector walk-through to boot.

Around the hotel, there is nothing. Only construction and other hotels. For longer operating patterns or high-stamina-ed individuals, a trip to the city can be easily arranged with at the concierge desk. Scroll down to Can Do: for tour arrangment options and details.

The hotel offers Free Wi-Fi for multiple devices, however, it requires hotel staff to configure.

ABBA Tip: Internet Connection: You can go up to your room and call, at your convenience, for hotel staff to either give you a password or request they come to the room to configure your devices for free internet.

Gym and Pool access are also available.

ABBA Tip: Bring headsets. Treadmills have TV! There are also staff, on-hand who can be your personal trainer for the duration.

Free Lounge Access on the 15^thfloor (1800hrs-2000hrs) as well as free breakfast buffet at the lobby from (0600hrs onwards). Look further down for details on these
ABBA eats.

Additional ABBA Tips: - You are only allowed in/out INR 600 *Yes this is no typo, INR SIX HUNDRED* into the country as a crew. Sometimes random searches may result in confiscation of excess dollars. Up to 5000USD or equivalent in order currencies is allowed. All currency must be declared.- Drink bottled water as much as possible. Crew have fallen sick from tap water. In India, even bottled water are repackaged. So take care.

ABBA Buys:
"Indian Alphonso Mangoes"

“Indian Alphonso Mangoes” are seasonal and cost SGD10 a box. *They accept payment in SGD. Upon check in, hotel staff will ask if you’d like to purchase some. Collection is done upon checkout at the Bell Hop counter.
Review:*Mangoes have a different dimension of sweetness to them and its flesh, a deep orange, same as packaging. About 12 mangoes in the box, well packed as seen, and are ready to be consumed.*
ABBATIP: Even if the more famous Alphonso Mangoes are sold out, their other varieties of mangoes are available.

ABBA EATS
<TAKEOUT menu options from Concierge>

All takeout menus maybe obtained from the bell desk and ordered from the Concierge. It takes approximately 1hr to arrive. Meal orders are paid in cash and maybe collected from the main lobby, or have them delivered to the room. There is NO minimal order.

ABBAtip: Different take outs have different lunch/dinner operating hours. Ask for which is able to deliver earlier to meet your COP.

Option 1: NH-1 Kitchen & Bar

A higher premium than Cafe Marol, more hygienically prepared and reported, tastier.

What was Ordered:

*Pictured from Top to Btm, left to right*
Tandori Roti INR18Goshi (Chicken) Seekh Kabab INR165
*Good char flavor and succulent meats*

Murg (Lamb) Biriyani INR200*very flavorful rice, good amount of meat

and a little on the spicy side
Murg Bhunria Hari Mirch INR210*Good spice and flavor. Very tender. Leaves a

residual heat down in the belly.
Stuffed Paratha INR35*Nicely insulated for take away

and good to taste on arrival

Total INR661
*10%discount on take away orders

Feeds 2
Overall 7/10

Option 2: "Cafe Marol China -Town"
For the weak wallet and strong stomach.

*Caveat: Buyer beware, cleanliness of food not guaranteed. Crew have fallen sick before!

What was Ordered:

2 Garlic Nann*Good flavor and generous spread
of chopped garlic. Though served cold, a chewy texture*
1 Tandori Nann*nothing tandori about it*
Half Tandori Chicken *A little on the salty side,
but balances nicely with nann and spiced pack and onions*
Total IRP152
Feeds 1.5
Overall 6/10 *Nothing to scream about,
but its really much cheaper then in hotel dining.*

Upper Crass
15^th Floor Lounge 1800hrs-2000hrs

- Free access to lounge on 15^th floor with alcoholic beverages and small bites for crew

Canapés served:
Mini-Pastry *Unknown meat*
Hummus with Biscuits *Good balance of flavors*
Tomato tomato consommé shooters
Ham wrapped vegetables
Asparagus and Cheese
Chicken Tar Tar with Egg.

Pleasant lounge experience with staff offering pop-corn and tandori chicken slices for light bites and asking for drink orders upon arrival.

Lobby Buffet

- Free Breakfast buffet available at lobby floor from 0600hrs onwards for crew.

Various Pastries, fruits, cereals, and the usual American breakfast fare.

Special mention goes out to their hot stations which deliver fresh waffles, Puri and Tosai. Nothing beats food fresh off the stove and eggs made to order.

Definite must tries are their French toast. It comes off more as a dessert cake, with its caramelized sides, raisin bits and drizzles of maple syrup, it’s a sugar heaven. Delicious.

ABBA Tip: Everyday, the dinner Buffet alternates between different flavors, ranging from Italian, to Mediterranian to regional flavors at about INR1500++. That’s before 30% crew discount that is available.

Other restaurants in the hotel

There are other places within the hotel that you can find dining, but be prepared to pay a hefty price, from IRP2000 and up or around that range (prior crew 30% discount). If you have a menu that’s hard covered with wood, and silk pages, you know it’s the good stuff. Here are some of the locations located in the hotel, for another time. Beautiful décor and ambience.

CAN DO:

Hotel Arranged City Tours

Taking a day tour of Mumbai City. All with air-conditioned transport and optional tour-guide, arranged either by ITC Hotel The Maratha or externally with Namaste City Tour agency. All pick-ups and drop-off will be at "ITC Hotel The Maratha".

Some of City Sights and attractions, though not limited to, that are available.

- Gateway of India:Entranceway to the port of Mumbai.

The gateway also holds position in the Indian history for this is the place where the

last of the British troops left Independent India by sea, marched through it's portals.

- Jehangir Art Gallery

- Prince of Wales Museum

- The Afghan Church:A tribute to the soldiers that died in the

Afghan Sindh war. The place is very old and has beautiful art works n glass and some lovely sculptures.

- Chhatrapati Shivajii Terminus - Headquarters of the central railways
in India, one of the busiest railway stations.

- Marine Drive

- Popular Shopping Malls, shopping paradise and other natural wonders

ABBA pointers on going for a tour.

- It takes Approximately 1hr20min of travel from "ITC Hotel" to Mumbai City.

- An hour's notice is required for any tour and, can be arranged with the Concierge.

- All tours are generally 8hrs. Timings maybe arranged but suggested best times to beat traffic are 9am-10am or 11am-12pm departures

- You are able to decide what time you would like to return by or other stop locations along the way.

- "Namaste City Tour" *more flexible on timing beyond 8hrs at no additional charge.

- For greater details, refer to Concierge.

$$$Rough Price Guide and Options$$$
*refer to Concierge for latest pricing and packages.*

"ITC Hotel The Maratha arranged tour"

HOTEL CAR = INR4000*can charge to room* + Tour Guide For 8hrs/80Km
*A complete city tour can be completed by stipulated distance and time.

- Additional 1hr +INR500

- Additional ??Km +INR25

- Additional Guide + INR2500 (Cash)

- Additional Museum Entry + INR300 (Cash)

- For parking Parking&Tolls +INR200

=>Total: Approximately INR7300.

Up to 3Pax max with no additional charge for added passengers. Limited by car space

"Namaste City Tour"

*more flexible on tour timings beyond 8hrs at no additional charge.

Air Conditioned Car + Tour Guide + Lunch + Entry Charge to Museum

INR5500 (Cash)

Additional Pax + INR1400