Poolside brunch.
The Lalit, Mumbai.
A friend of mine from Australia is currently visiting Mumbai and she got a great last minute deal from Agoda.com staying at The Lalit near Mumbai international airport ($80 per night including breakfast, not bad at all!). Yesterday, she invited me over for a swim and while we were in her room, she happened to take a look at the mini bar.
"Guess how much this miniature bottle of Absolute vodka costs?' she asked me, as she held it up. "I don't know. Maybe around 600 rupees." In fact, I wasn't even close. The price was 1,330 rupees (approximately $25)! Both our jaws dropped.
The food offerings on the room service menu were just as expensive -- 850 rupees ($16) for a burger. Tax was extra. Without a doubt it was amongst the costliest room service we'd ever come across in India. It's not like The Lalit is a super luxury hotel either. It's actually quite dated. Of course, being a Mumbai airport hotel, there aren't many options for eating elsewhere (apart from at other luxury hotels in the area). And, I guess, that's the catch.
Which luxury hotels have you found to have the most expensive food and drinks in India? Do you think the prices are justifiable?
More About Mumbai Hotels:
The Park Hotel is expensive…the ice cream in the little cafe is Rs 100 a scoop (a friend bought it for us once…) and their restaurant, The Bridge, is also pricey. Almost 2k for a plate of salmon, and Rs 1500 for a shot of tequila…
Ouch! It had better be decent tequila for that price.
Yes. I have gone to the Twenty Fifth Hour restaurant @ Hotel President where they were charging Rs. 150 for a bottle of 500ml Kinley mineral water (it is around Rs. 17 otherwise). Outrageous!
It’s greatly unfair when people have no choice but to buy the water because tap water is undrinkable.
I request my dear foreign guests to kindly approach any Indian (perhaps some youngsters) before entering any hotel.
No cities in India are costly or cheap. For eg. there are hotels in mumbai of high standard and affordable rates whereas some wid unbelievable rates. Its all about finding the right one out.
Indians love to help others. So feel free to ask atleaast 3 different people before entering any restaurants.
Happy stay in the lovely country.