Posts
Here at Ubiquity, we pride ourseleves on giving options, as we firmly believe that we are a mere facilitating partner and not the desicion makers when it comes to choosing what and which accommodation one should book.
Independent Traveller here has an excellent article on tips in choosing the right place to stay. On the other hand I find the article a bit generalised, as in the last 4 years of helping IP's choose and select hotels I have realised that the hotel choice is also largely dependent on the reason for travel and is not alsways limited to the cheapest choice, or the most convinient location.
For the purpose of Reproductive Tourism I am further dividing this writeup in 2 parts, this article deals with hotel choices for the first visit, i.e. for the start of the cycle. Before moving on to the choices the below writeup lists reasons for their appearance on our preffered hotels list
When
As the heading says, when should one book a hotel ? Ideally this should be the first task that I would suggest, as a confirmed hotel booking is a pre requisite for applying for a Visa.(Please note this is not the only requirement for a visa application, and all prospective travellers should contact the local Indian Embassy for the list of requirements). Also another When to consider is the season in Mumbai, From October to May its is advisable that hotel are booked a minimum of 5 weeks prior to arrival, where as for the other months the same can be done even 15 days in advance.
Where
For us at Ubiquity this is the most important aspect to consider when suggesting a place to stay. As most places in India Mumbai is blessed with over crowding, poor street signs and narrow roads and this is directly proportional to the traffic in the city. A google map traffic view for peak hour traffic in Mumbai will reveal that there is absolutely no remaining area that has free flowing traffic. Sometimes even paint can dry faster in the amount of time it takes to travel from one end of the city to the other.
Why
The question why is to do more with a particular hotel itself, wherein the factors mentioned above become accomplices. This is the most difficult aspect for the team to consider when suggesting a hotel, as its important for us that we suggest places which are upto a good standard, are guest specific and primararily are places where our guests feel safe.
Based on the above Ubiquity has a list of hotels that we recommend
Three Star Accommodations
1. Rodas Mumbai
2. Marigold Residency
Four Star Accommodations
1. Courtyard Marriott Mumbai
2. Novotel Juhu Beach
3. Fern Meluha
Five Star Accommodations
1. J W Marriott Mumbai
2. The Renaissance Mumbai
3. The Leela Mumbai
Each of the hotel on the list above are places where we have had numerous guests stay over the last couple of years, also these are places where the hotel management has in cordinaton with us developed menus and services which are specific to the demands that an IP would have.
Part II of the article will deal with specifics on CHoosing a hotel for a Baby Pick up.
Please feel free to comment on this and all further posts, also any suggestions can be sent to ubqt@ubiquityhospitality.com
