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The Leela Kempinski

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  • ANDHERI KURLA ROAD SAHAR
     Mumbai, India
    91-2256911234
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EriksA1
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
4
Reviews
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Editor Pick

The Lovely Leela

  • September 24, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by koshkha from Northampton, United Kingdom
The Leela Kempinski could so easily be 'just another airport hotel' but it's not. Instead, the hotel offers such a pleasant experience that it's worth visiting even if you don't need to be near the airport. I've stayed there twice on business trips to Mumbai and loved it both times although I must admit it's a few years ago now since I was there (probably about 7 years) and looking at their website, I suspect it may have been upgraded since my last visit as the rooms look even nicer now.

Arriving at Mumbai airport in the early hours of the morning it was a relief to see a smartly dressed hotel representative with my name on a board. Mumbai airport can be a shock to the senses and leaving the relative comfort of the airport and walking slap bang into a heaving mass of humanity, can be unnerving. The hotel guy led me to the kerbside where a driver met me and took me to a large white hotel car. Driving from the airport to the Leela took just a few minutes and all along the way I saw signs on the road verges and on the fencing to either side of the road advertising the fact that the 'beautification' has been paid for by the Leela - I thought that was a lovely touch. It's good to know that they don't just focus on making the hotel lovely, they give something back to the neighbourhood as well.

Arriving the first time I was taken up to a club floor and checked in by a neatly dressed lady in a sari. On my second visit I hadn't been booked for one of the exec rooms but was still given a special welcome. The hotel had checked their records, realised I was on a second visit, and I got the whole 'incense and red mark on the forehead' treatment as a 'valued returning guest'.

The lobby is beautiful - lots of light marble and high ceilings, and a beautiful smell of incense. Heading into the hotel there's a set of wide steps with bronze gods on either side, decorated with garlands and burning incense. The steps lead down to a seating area and a parade of shops where I spent quite a lot of time and money buying silks and some diamond earrings which were (much to my amazement) valued recently at about 5 times what I paid for them.

My rooms on both occasions were large, well equipped and beautifully decorated in a fine blend of international and local styles. On my first visit I had a lot of free time that I spent curled up in a big armchair, listening to the TV and reading novels about Mumbai and keeping an eye on the comings and goings of a small shanty community that was visible from my windows. It might sound voyeuristic to be sitting in air-conditioned luxury with anything you need just a phone call to the 'floor butler' away whilst watching rag pickers bringing their bundles of rubbish to be sorted on the ground just a few hundred feet away, but it's not at all unusual to find the juxtaposition of wealth and poverty around Indian hotels. On my first visit I also had access to the executive lounge which meant I didn't have to go down to the main restaurant for breakfast, was able to get free happy hour drinks and snacks and could sit quietly reading papers and magazines whenever I had some free time.

There are about half a dozen restaurants at the Leela and I've eaten in the Indian and Chinese restaurants and in each case the food and service were outstanding. I mentioned the pool and there's also a gym but at that time I didn't feel confident about going into the gym as a woman on my own (and to be honest, I was happier knocking back the drinks and eating the nibbles in the exec lounge).

On my second visit we asked the hotel to arrange a car and driver for the day because we needed to go into Mumbai to get some flight tickets changed. Considering it was a swanky 5-star hotel, the car they sent was remarkably scruffy and down at heel although any driver who can survive Mumbai traffic deserves a healthy dose of respect.

It's worth knowing that traffic in Mumbai is dreadful and if you want to get into the tourist areas of the city - for example around the Gate of India - it could easily take one and a half hours to get there. Therefore if you need to be in the city I recommend to book a city hotel, and if you need to be by the airport for an early or late flight, the Leela is a good choice.

From journal A Handful of Memorable Indian Hotels

Editor Pick

The Leela Kempinski

The Leela is one of the older hotels near the Bombay International Airport. It is truly a nice experience to stay at this hotel.

We have stayed at this hotel many times, and once for an extended period of time. The hotel is bit on the expensive side, so make sure that you ask for their best rates when you book the rooms. During the monsoon season, you might be able to get a good package that includes breakfast. And their breakfast is a fantastic spread that can tide you over until dinner.

One time, we were assigned a room right above the discotheque, and the staff mercifully have us a different room for the next day.

The hotel has a nice foyer that opens out into a big lounge on the left side. They have a duo that plays music most nights, but the music is sub par. I have spent many a day furiously typing away on my laptop while enjoying pots of green tea or cups of cappuccino and looking out at the pool side. If you lounge around long enough, you are bound to recognize some famous faces.

The single room comes equipped with a bed, fridge, cable TV, and complimentary fresh fruits. Watch out, though, as you have to pay for using the Internet, and there is a flat rate of about $10 per day.

If you are like me and like to read newspapers, you can find the latest copy of the Wall Street and International Herald Tribune in their business center. The nice folks at the center may just allow you to borrow the paper for a few minutes.

From journal Mumbai aka Bombay

The Leela

  • March 27, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by aquavelva from mumbai, Illinois, India
Very beautiful Hotel just next to the International Airport with excellent service and superb food. The hotel has a wonderful landscaped garden surrounding the 24-hour coffee shop and a waterfall flows through it creating a lovely atmosphere.

From journal Travel Info on India's Commercial Hub

The Leela Kempinski

  • January 26, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by EriksA1 from East Amherst, New York
This is an oasis is the dismal scenes that plague India! It is nothing but luxury, luxury, luxury. The hotel people are very friendly and polite; they convince you that they love to serve you. They all speak English, so there is no strain and confusion. There are some great restaurants in there too like the waterfall cafe, which has some great Indian food, and there is also a Chinese restaurant. There is a great pool that looks like a lagoon, and you can even eat by the pool.

From journal India..the land of opposites

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