Trident Nariman Point
Mumbai

If Mumbai is a city that never stops moving, then Trident Nariman Point is where it pauses to catch its breath. Perched at the very tip of the city's most iconic boulevard, Marine Drive, with uninterrupted views across the bay, this polished modernist landmark has long been considered one of the city’s best hotels, a beacon of calm in the metropolitan swirl. It consistently receives glowing feedback from guests who appreciate its exceptional location, high standards, and serenity amidst the city’s edge.

Built during the city’s post-independence building boom, Trident is part of the Oberoi Group and shares a sleek modernist structure with its more opulent sister, The Oberoi Mumbai. But don’t mistake Trident for second fiddle. With its art deco echoes, floor-to-ceiling windows and endless sea views, it offers the same prime location with a slightly more pared-back elegance; stylish but never showy.

Inside, the mood is crisp and contemporary; glossy marble floors, fresh flowers in oversized vases and staff who anticipate needs before you even realise them. The rooms - particularly the ocean-facing suites - are soothing and streamlined, all cool woods, soft whites and those showstopper views. Waking up to the arc of the Queen’s Necklace glittering below feels cinematic; the early-morning walkers and palm-fringed promenade giving Mumbai its signature pulse.

The dining here is quietly excellent. Frangipani offers clean, Mediterranean fare with a lightness of touch, while India Jones is a love letter to pan-Asian cuisine, all fragrant bowls and perfectly lacquered bites. The Verandah Lounge is an excellent place for tea or a late-evening cocktail, looking out at the sea as the city slips into night.

There’s also a palm-shaded outdoor pool (a rare and welcome luxury in this part of town) and a well-equipped fitness centre and spa for those who wish to reset after the city’s endless buzz. But the real luxury here is the location; right on Nariman Point, a short hop to the Kala Ghoda art district, the Gateway of India, Colaba and all the layered chaos and beauty that makes Mumbai magnetic.

One of the hotel’s most underrated assets is the shopping arcade that links it with its more opulent sibling, The Oberoi. Here you’ll find an excellent range of boutiques, offering everything from carpets to fine jewellery to ready-to-wear from local Indian designers. It's the kind of shopping that feels like discovery, rather than duty!

Trident Nariman Point is for travellers who like their hotels refined but unpretentious, modern but not cold, and who understand that in Mumbai, proximity is everything. It’s a bolt-hole for those who want to experience the city at its most iconic, with the sea at their feet and the skyline on the horizon.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller