image

Posts Tagged ‘four seasons’

I arrived in Mumbai around midnight.  Our flight arrived early, but no gates were opened so we ended up sitting 30 minutes on the tarmac waiting for a gate to open up.

Straight through customs and out to my waiting car, the Mumbai adventure began anew.  My driver decided to do his best impression of a F1 driver, and we raced through the heavy Mumbai traffic and to the hotel.  I haven’t figured it out – maybe we’re all just too polite to complain – but seemingly all the chauffeurs in Asia think that driving like a maniac is what we’re after, and the fastest car will get the biggest tip.

Fresh flowers at the Mumbai Four Seasons

Fruit platter and ice tea at Mumbai Four Seasons 

The hotel is getting better. I’m still not a big fan of the Four Seasons here in Mumbai (it’s overpriced and the service isn’t up-to-scratch), but they made an effort this time.  I was greeted by name out of the car, my key was waiting and handed to me by the doorman (no check-in formalities, a blessing at midnight), and I arrived in the room to find fresh flowers, fruit, iced tea, and a note from the manager of the hotel, welcoming me back.  They’re trying to win my business, which is something.

Steaming wrinkled clothes in the hotel shower 

I still refuse to pay their extortionate prices for ironing / pressing, more out of principle than anything.  My colleague tells me that he pays 3 rupees (about $0.10 each) to have his shirts pressed.  The hotel wants 600 rupees ($13 each) to do the same thing.  That would be on the expensive end in Switzerland, where labour costs about $25/hour.  But here, where wages are measured in single dollars a day, there’s no excuse.  So I resorted to the old traveler’s trick: I stuck them in the shower.

A very jetlagged Matt

A very jetlagged Matt

 

Jetlag kicked in big time.  I managed to get a few hours sleep on the plane, which was a mistake as it meant I couldn’t fall asleep.  I finally drifted off at about 7am, just in time for my alarm to go off at 8am.  Monday was a long day in the office.

Workshops all day Tuesday and Wednesday, then off to Sydney on Wednesday night.  Stay tuned.

Hotel room at the Four Seasons, Mumbai
Hotel room at the Four Seasons, Mumbai

 

Bathroom at the Four Seasons, Mumbai
Bathroom at the Four Seasons, Mumbai

 

Soaking tub
Soaking tub looking out over the city

 

Another city, another hotel room. In this case, it’s the Four Seasons in Mumbai. The room was nice enough, on the top floor of the hotel, with a view overlooking Mumbai. The bathroom was lovely, with a big soaking tub that looked out over the city. I imagine it would have been nice to use, if only I’d had the time to use it.

View of Mumbai from the hotel room
View of Mumbai from the hotel room

 

View of Mumbai from the hotel room
View of Mumbai from the hotel room

 

The view out the window wasn’t as picturesque as some other places I’ve stayed. But this is pretty much the extent of what I’ve seen in Mumbai. (I suppose I could add some pictures of the office to give a totally comprehensive report, but you get the idea).

Anyone who thinks corporate travel is grand, or a great way to see the world, hasn’t done much of it. I’ve seen an awful lot of hotels in my career (particularly recently), but not much of the rest of what the cities have to offer!