Fariyas Hotel Mumbai , Colaba

This hotel is highly regarded for its prime location in the heart of Colaba, offering unparalleled access to Mumbai's iconic landmarks. Guests consistently praise the attentive staff and the excellent breakfast and dining options. While some rooms are noted for their comfortable beds and cleanliness, others suggest areas for improvement in maintenance and size. The hotel is an ideal fit for sightseers and families looking to explore the city's historical attractions, couples seeking a convenient base, and business travelers due to its central accessibility. To ensure a comfortable stay, guests sensitive to smoke should explicitly request a non-smoking room, and it is advisable to manage expectations regarding room dimensions, as some can be compact.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a swimming pool, though many guests note it is small, lacks sufficient seating and shade, and may not be inviting for extended relaxation, with some expressing concerns about water quality despite its comfortable temperature. The fitness center or gym is available but often described as small and not well-equipped. Wi-Fi connectivity can be inconsistent, with guests reporting weak or unreliable signals. While the air conditioning generally functions well, some units are noted for being loud. The elevators are typically fast and clean, though some guests experienced long waits during peak times. Rooms are equipped with a mini-bar where items are chargeable, and free bottled water is provided in rooms and at the restaurant.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on room condition is mixed; many guests find their rooms clean, well-appointed, and well-maintained, especially those that have been recently renovated. However, a significant number of reviews highlight issues with overall cleanliness, including dirty bathrooms, the presence of mold, dust under beds, and persistent humid or tobacco smells. Some rooms are described as small, tired, or outdated, indicating a need for maintenance. Bed comfort varies widely, with some guests praising comfortable beds and pillows, while others found mattresses either too soft or too hard, and bedsheets thin or stained. Bathrooms are frequently cited for being small, dirty, having mold, broken toilet seats, bad smells, and poor ventilation. Showers can have slippery floors or flood the adjacent area, and water pressure or hot water can be inconsistent. Noise levels are a concern for some, as rooms are not always soundproof, leading to audible conversations from corridors, noise from adjacent rooms, and loud AC units. Towels and linens are occasionally described as old, unkept, thin, stained, or not smelling fresh.

Dining & Food Quality
Most guests find the breakfast to be very good, delicious, and varied, offering a wide selection of Indian buffet options, including vegetarian choices, and fresh omelette stations. However, some describe the spread as not very diverse, limited, or ordinary. Service can be slow, especially at live counters, and the dining area can become crowded, leading to long waits for tables or orders. A few guests noted unhygienic plates or cutlery. The restaurant food for dinner is generally praised as delicious, varied, and of good quality, with a good selection for vegetarians. Conversely, some reviews mention average or poor quality food, and a few found the dining room to be uncomfortably cold due to air conditioning. Service in the restaurant, particularly for à la carte orders, can be slow and disorganized, leading to long waits. Room service is generally reported as high-class and good. The hotel has a limited communal bar area, with guests often needing to sit in the main restaurant area.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location in Colaba is consistently highlighted as its strongest asset, placing guests in the heart of Mumbai's historical area. It offers unparalleled proximity to major tourist attractions like the Gateway of India, which is often just a few minutes' walk away, and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Guests appreciate being within easy walking distance to the Colaba Causeway market and various shopping streets and restaurants. The hotel is well-situated for easy access to public transportation and cabs, making it convenient to explore other parts of Mumbai. While some guests note parking can be a problem due to congestion, the hotel's valet service is generally efficient in managing vehicles. The immediate area is described as relatively quiet and safe, offering a pleasant environment for strolling, though some reviews mention it being near less desirable areas or a side street that might feel less secure for solo female travelers at night.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receive high praise for being polite, kind, friendly, helpful, accommodating, and attentive. Many guests highlight their professionalism and warm welcome, noting that staff go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay, assisting with queries, transport, and special requests. Experiences with check-in and check-out are mixed; some report easy and quick processes, while others describe it as slow, requiring significant waiting time, or having issues with booking discrepancies. Housekeeping generally performs an excellent job of cleaning rooms and providing supplies. However, some guests reported issues with ignored "clean room" signs, noisy staff, or staff entering rooms without knocking. Restaurant staff feedback is varied; some find them lovely and friendly, while others describe them as unfocused, uninterested, or providing slow and disorganized service, particularly during busy periods. Despite some isolated incidents of rude or unprofessional behavior, the overwhelming majority of reviews commend the staff's dedication to providing excellent service.

Additional Information
The hotel is frequently described as an old building that, while generally well-maintained, shows signs of being aged and in need of a complete revamp or urgent upgrade. Some guests noted ongoing renovation work which could lead to noise or obstructed views. Many guests feel the hotel is overpriced for the amenities and room quality offered, suggesting it might be a 3-star experience at a 5-star price, primarily due to its location. A notable point of contention for some guests is the "no outside food" rule, which restricts bringing in or ordering food from external sources, though exceptions were sometimes made by management. There were also instances of guests being placed on smoking floors without prior consent, causing discomfort. Some guests experienced double bookings or discrepancies between online bookings and hotel records, leading to frustration. The hotel is noted for its accommodations for observant members of the Jewish religion, proactively assisting with their needs.