Hotel Elphinstone Annexe, Mumbai, India

When you step out of your taxi and look at the outside of this hotel I wouldn't blame you if, on first impression, you jump right back in the taxi and find an alternative place to stay! The outside of the hotel looks terrible and, as you enter the door and go up the flight of stairs, your view of the hotel is only going to get worse and you will - as I did - wonder what on earth you've let yourself in for. However, when you enter the hotel itself on the first floor it's like you enter a tranquil alternative universe. A lot of money has obviously been spent on the place - it's well appointed, clean, well looked after and very inviting. The staff are extremely professional and make you feel like you're in a much grander location than the one outside the hotel. Just one niggle - the hot water tanks are ridiculously small so remember to turn the water off in the shower as you lather up!!! Top tip - the café underneath the restaurant looks rather dark and intimidating but give it a go - it serves the best lassi I've ever tasted in India, and the food is extremely tasty and almost ridiculously cheap. Officers from the neighbouring police station regularly eat there so don't worry about your safety, despite the look of the place. As for the hotel itself, it doesn't have a restaurant, but the staff are more than happy to place an order for you with a nearby restaurant. If you're a shopaholic Crawford Market is only 10 minutes' walk away where you can buy just about anything.

Had a good stay at Hotel Elphinstone. All the staff were brilliant and friendly, some great recommendations for local cheap restaurants and take outs. Free breakfast in the morning was nice and chai in the afternoon great after a long day sight seeing. Overall great value for money

My stay at HEA was superb. On the outside this place does not look like much but inside this is an immaculate hotel with a great lounge area. The room was great and the air-conditioning was excellent. Water dispenser in the lounge is always a massive bonus. When I arrived the guy on reception was really keen to advise me on the surrounding areas and give me advice and what I wanted to see in Mumbai. Whilst I was a little disappointed that I did not get a double bed instead of two singles I was aware that there was no guarantee of my request being granted and this did nothing to take away from what my stay and I would not hesitate to recommend this place.

I enjoyed the service and professionalism of the staff - when I arrived, I was greeted with a drink and a snack. The staff were very polite, and helped with tips about nearby restaurants, and wifi is available, and the breakfast was pretty yummy. Mumbai is expensive - so I figured it was important to keep my expectations in check - and the hotel was clean, very centrally located, and the staff did an overall amazing job.

I recommend this hotel. The people running it are very professional and very helpful. I liked the complimentary back massage mat installed in the lobby.