Mumbai stretches some 40 km from Colaba in the south to Borivali in the north, and a cross-town journey can take ninety minutes at the wrong hour. So choose the area first and the hotel second.
For a first visit of two or three days, stay in South Mumbai — Colaba, Fort or Marine Drive — where most of the sights are. If you are in town for food, nightlife and a younger scene, look at Bandra or the mid-town towers of Worli and Lower Parel. For business, BKC; for a beach sunset, Juhu; for a late arrival or an early flight, the airport hotels. Mumbai hotel prices are high by Indian standards, so book early for November to February.

