The Oberoi, Mumbai

Set on the exclusive Marine Drive on the shores of Back Bay, the Oberoi Mumbai is a stone’s throw away from Chowpatty Beach and Colaba’s top attractions, including the Gateway of India and the Cathedral of the Holy Name.

The rooms and suites are understatedly elegant and stylish, with dark oak flooring and large windows with views of bustling Nariman Point or the Arabian Sea. The sterling service, synonymous with the prestigious Oberoi brand, includes 24-hour in-room dining, personalised butler service and concierge laundry. The remote-controlled blackout blinds mean that you can enjoy quality sleep and wake up refreshed for a full day of exploring.

When it comes to dining, choose from Indian cuisine at the contemporary Ziya restaurant, fine Italian at Vetro with its attached wine library, and international fare at Enoteca, where all-day dining is offered. Indulge in an extensive selection of champagnes and teas at the Fenix champagne lounge, or listen to some smooth jazz tunes at the Eau Bar, where a live band performs six nights a week. Children can join the Junior Chef programme and bake cookies with the hotel’s chefs.

Work out at the fitness centre, where a full range of equipment is complemented by spectacular ocean views, or take it a little easier and head to the spa to enjoy a revitalising body therapy or beauty treatment. In between sightseeing and shopping, you can also relax at the blue-tiled outdoor swimming pool or enjoy a special candlelit poolside dinner.

There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained, from meandering down the Marine Drive seaside promenade and seeing the famous Gateway of India to catching a Bollywood movie at the Eros Cinema, which is housed in a distinctive Art Deco-style building.