BACKGROUND

Opened last April, this airport hotel covers almost seven hectares, and has several outdoor areas for banqueting. There are now seven JW Marriott hotels in India, the others being in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Mumbai (Juhu), New Delhi, Pune and Mussoorie.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Monolithic from the outside, elegant on the inside. Security is strict, with boot and bonnet checks before your car is allowed on to the property. Another X-ray machine for your belongings and person is compulsory before entering the grand lobby, where a large crystal chandelier descends into an oversized marble bowl. When I stayed in October, there was construction work taking place on the adjacent shopping mall, which will be connected to the hotel and is expected to open some time this year.

WHERE IS IT?

In Andheri East, less than ten minutes’ drive (traffic permitting) from both the domestic and international airport terminals – the latter has a paging board system allowing you to arrange a transfer (no shuttle buses serve the area’s hotels).

ROOM FACILITIES

The 585 rooms start on level ten and, missing out level 13, rise to the building’s top floor (19), offering a variety of views. Entry-level Deluxe rooms (38 sqm) have lattice-work sliding doors to divide off the bathrooms, and feature generic, modern five-star design with neutral colours and black-out curtains, DVD players and iPod docks. Deluxe Pool rooms are the same size but are on higher levels, providing a side view of the airport (good for plane spotting).

Deluxe Balcony rooms are on the tenth floor; Concierge rooms are on the 17th and 18th levels and provide access to the club lounge – a modern, relaxing space with free breakfast and evening food and drink. Deluxe, Executive and Premium suites (from 77 to 87 sqm) have separate living rooms. Smoking rooms can be found on the 15th floor.

Wifi is free for all Marriott Rewards members; other guests pay ₹950 (£9.50) for 24 hours’ basic access or ₹1,200 (£12) for high-speed.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

The huge all-day JW Café serves international food and has outdoor seating. Romano’s is an extremely impressive fine-dining Italian restaurant with a mezzanine bar that it calls the “Lab”, owing to the creations it conjures up – smoked cocktails, for example. There’s also the lobby-level JW Lounge and the JW Baking Company for pastries.

MEETING FACILITIES

Almost 5,200 sqm of indoor and outdoor event space, including two ballrooms, the largest hosting 1,200 guests for a reception.

LEISURE FACILITIES

These are very impressive, and include a 24-hour gym, a yoga studio, a heated pool with cabanas, and the brand’s Spa by JW concept – only the second worldwide after the JW Marriott Houston – which offers ayurvedic treatments using fresh and natural ingredients.

VERDICT 

There’s no doubt that this is an airport hotel, yet it is also a top five-star property with enough leisure facilities to make it a pleasant place to enjoy Mumbai, along with excellent spaces for large corporate events.

PRICE

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in April started from ₹12,700 (£130) for a Deluxe room.

CONTACT

IA Project Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport; tel +91 22 2853 8888; marriott.co.uk