If you were given the chance to visit just one city in India, you would probably get the best all-around 'Indian' experience in Mumbai. It is the financial, commercial, and entertainment capital of India, and the country's most populous city.
As Muslim travelers, it is preferable that we travel to countries that cater well to our faith. This means finding mosques, prayer facilities, and Halal restaurants. With Mumbai, you can put all your worries at rest! Just like almost all other regions in India, Mumbai is home to a large number of Muslims (the second largest religion in the city after Hinduism). Therefore, traveling in Mumbai as a Muslim traveler is definitely a breeze.
Here are some of the best Halal-friendly hotels in Mumbai for your stay in the city:
Picture Credit: Taj Mahal Tower
The Taj Mahal Tower is one of the most famous hotels in Mumbai, giving you a taste of the luxury. It is situated in the heart of the city, across from the iconic Gateway of India. The Taj Mahal Tower was a later addition to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel – a heritage 5-star hotel that was opened in 1903. The older wing has had many high profile guests from all around the world.
The Taj Mahal Tower hotel comes with all kinds of amenities like free Wi-Fi, a 24/7 gym, babysitting and concierge services, full-service spa and hair salons, an outdoor pool, cafes and even wedding services (complete with a limo and all)!
Calling itself by the name of the famous Taj Mahal, built by Islamic emperor Shah Jahn, one would expect the hotel to cater to all the needs of its Muslim guests – and they do! From providing the direction of the Qibla in all rooms to providing prayer amenities upon request, you won't be made to feel out of place. They also have several Halal restaurants on site, including an entirely Halal buffet spread. Furthermore, you can also request to remove alcohol from the minibar when booking a room.
Step outside the hotel, and you'll find plenty of Halal (and/or purely vegetarian) restaurants run by locals that are cheap and satisfying. There are also several mosques in the surrounding area.
Address: Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
Contact: +91 22 6665 3000
Website: taj.tajhotels.com
Picture Credit: Suba International Mumbai
Hotel Suba is another great place to stay at on your Halal trip to Mumbai. Not only do they have all the amenities that any traveler would need for a comfortable stay, they also have friendly staff. The hotel maintains a clean image on the outside and inside. The hotel is situated just 5-10 minutes drive away from the airport, which is a big deal considering Mumbai's congested traffic. The hotel even has free airport transfers for arrival and departure for guests!
As for Muslim-friendly amenities, Hotel Suba offers a Halal breakfast buffet spread (which comes complimentary with the room on most bookings). Not only do they have the Qibla direction in every room, they also have a dedicated prayer room that is fully equipped. There are many restaurants outside the hotel, and a short walk should bring you across several that are either Halal or vegetarian-only.
Address: Plot No. 211, Chakala, Sahar Road, Opposite Cigarette Factory, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099.
Phone: +91 22 6707 6707
Website: www.subahotels.com
Picture Credit: Milan International
If you're not interested in the luxury and are willing to give up some of the more high-end amenities, then Hotel Milan is a good mid-range hotel that you can stay at on your Halal holiday in Mumbai. The hotel is also situated close to the airport, and a 5-minute walk to the Santacruz station. But they still provide all the basic facilities one would expect of a hotel - free internet, concierge services, breakfast buffet, express check-in/out, a billiards/pool room – although you might have to pay extra for some of them.
They also provide Muslim-friendly amenities like prayer mats and Qibla direction in rooms. The hotel also serves Halal food and does not stock on their mini bar with alcohol. You should also be able to find Halal and Halal-friendly restaurants in Mumbai near the hotel.
Address: 1st Road, Near Milan Subway, Santacruz West, Kothwadi Area, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054, India
Phone: +91 22 6560 8943
Website: www.milanintl.com
Picture Credit: Lucky Hotel
Another budget-friendly and Muslim-friendly hotel in Mumbai is the Lucky Hotel. Officially known as “Lucky Hotels & Restaurants”, their restaurant is perhaps more popular than the hotel itself. The restaurant is known for its delicious food, especially non-vegetarian dishes that are rich and indulgent variety. And “lucky” for us, they serve Halal food!
Lucky hotel is available in 2 locations in Mumbai, in Bandra and Goregaon. As for the Bandra hotel, it is located conveniently so you can travel to places like Hill Road and Linking road by tuk-tuk easily. The Bandra Railway Station and the airports are also situated close by. The Goregaon hotel is situated very close to the nearest railway station and not too far from the airport.
The rooms are clean and well-maintained, the staff is friendly, and most bookings come with free breakfast as well. Other amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, and air-conditioning are also available.
Lucky Hotels and Restaurants Bandra
Address: Bld no-9 Bandra Junction of S.V. Road & Hill Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050, India
Phone: +91 22 2644 2973
Website: www.luckyhotels.in
Lucky Hotels and Restaurants Goregoan
Address: Near Durian Estate, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400097, India
Phone: +91 22 2876 5599
Website: www.luckyhotels.in
Picture Credit: Hotel City Palace
For those who do not want to spend much on accommodation or hotel ratings, Hotel City Palace is just the right place. The hotel offers some of the cheapest rates for rooms, given that it is still family-friendly and conveniently located. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station can be reached on foot, and landmarks like The Gateway of India are just a short tuk-tuk ride away.
Even though the prices are cheap, the hotel still offers plenty of amenities. The rooms are air-conditioned and kept clean. They provide free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast for most bookings. They provide Halal food, but given the hotel's location in the heart of the city, you're sure to find plenty of restaurants around it that serve Halal food. The hotel also provides a prayer mat upon request and has the direction of Qibla in all rooms. There are also several mosques within a short distance from the hotel.
Address: 121, City Terrace, Opp. C.S.T. Station Main Gate, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India
Phone: +91 99303 59336
Website: www.hotelcitypalace.net
Picture Credit: The Retreat Hotel & Convention Centre Facebook
The Retreat Hotel is a mid-to-high range hotel located in the western suburbs of Mumbai. As the name suggests, this hotel is a great place a 'retreat' away from the chaos, madness, and noise of the city center. It is located just across Madh island and the popular Aksa beach, which gives the feeling of peacefulness and serenity – something that's hard-pressed to come by in a city like Mumbai.
You can reach the city center and popular landmarks in about 1-2 hours of a drive, but this location would be best suited for those who are looking for a place to sit back and relax.
The hotel itself is well maintained and offers plenty of amenities. If you're lucky, you might even score a room with an incredible view of the aforementioned beach. A massive outdoor pool, convention center, gym, spa, and a health club are a few of the recreational facilities you can find at The Retreat.
The hotel serves Halal food, but make sure to let the hotel know your requirements when booking. They might also be able to point you towards a few Halal restaurants outside of the hotel. In any case, you should be able to find plenty of vegetarian-only restaurants at the least.
Address: Erangal Beach, Madh Island, Marve Road, Malad (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400061, India
Contact: +91 22 2881 3500
Website: www.retreat-mumbai.com
Picture Credit: Radisson Mumbai Goregaon Facebook
Finishing things off with a more high-end affair, we've included the Radisson Blu Goregaon in our list of Halal hotels in Mumbai. It is located near the airport as well as Bombay Exhibition Centre and is best suited for business travelers or families. The hotel offers plenty of amenities like free Wi-Fi (and even work desks in premium suites), LCD TV, toiletries, etc. The hotel also hosts a spa, an outdoor pool, a rooftop pool, and other recreational facilities like the 24-hour health clinic.
The hotel has a 180-degree restaurant, which is surely a spectacular view (chat with the staff about Halal food here), and you can also opt for breakfast with your booking for an additional fee (the food here is said to be exceptional!). The staff is friendly and the hotel is well maintained. The hotel provides Halal food, as well as prayer mats and Qibla direction to cater to its Muslim guests. There are several mosques in Goregaon that you can visit.
Address: Junction of S.V. Road, Veer Savarkar Flyover, Udyog Nagar, Goregaon West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400062, India
Phone: +91 22 2871 8000
Website: www.radisson.com
