Look out for this little hotel or you might miss it altogether. However, once you’re past its unassuming frontage there’s plenty to capture your attention. Conceived as an 'art hotel', this little suburban sanctuary is a great entry point for first-time travellers to India who want a rapid initiation into its art, philosophy and culture. Small enough to be a guesthouse but with the conveniences of a large hotel, including a spa and concierge services, Le Sutra packs quite a punch with its 14 original and immaculate themed rooms.
From the minute you enter, there’s plenty to look at - amorphous sculptures, installations tucked into niches, literary quotations scribbled on walls and intricately inlaid flooring. The owners mobilised over 150 artists, designers and visualisers from across the country to help with the design, which was spearheaded by Mitali Bajaj of Dr. Art + Design, the Mumbai design studio. But don’t expect expensive, auction-worthy pieces; many of the artists were art students.
Set in the lively northern suburb of Khar (adjacent to Bandra), Le Sutra has fantastic access to some of the city's most popular restaurants and vibrant bars. A hop, skip and jump away is Carter Road, a waterfront promenade that comes alive at dusk thanks to its long strip of street-style eateries. It’s also perfect for that early morning jog. In a city filled with either pricey signature chains or indistinctive mid-range hotels, Le Sutra is a cool addition to the pack.
From the minute you enter, there’s plenty to look at - amorphous sculptures, installations tucked into niches, literary quotations scribbled on walls and intricately inlaid flooring. The owners mobilised over 150 artists, designers and visualisers from across the country to help with the design, which was spearheaded by Mitali Bajaj of Dr. Art + Design, the Mumbai design studio. But don’t expect expensive, auction-worthy pieces; many of the artists were art students.
Set in the lively northern suburb of Khar (adjacent to Bandra), Le Sutra has fantastic access to some of the city's most popular restaurants and vibrant bars. A hop, skip and jump away is Carter Road, a waterfront promenade that comes alive at dusk thanks to its long strip of street-style eateries. It’s also perfect for that early morning jog. In a city filled with either pricey signature chains or indistinctive mid-range hotels, Le Sutra is a cool addition to the pack.
Highs
- Close to Mumbai’s most popular suburb, Bandra, which has a thriving nightlife, cosmopolitan feel and great shopping
- The design concept makes for an interesting stay. Ask for a guided tour of the rooms, each a one-off, with a unique carved chair
- Two restaurants, serving excellent food: Out of the Blue offers Indian fare, and is super popular with locals; Olive has Mediterranean meals in a cool Ibiza setting
- The themed rooms, based around the 3 gunas of Hindu philosophy, are full of beautiful detail: Buddha frescoes, horse-head beds, mirror sculptures, lotus-pond showers. Great value for money too
- Books on Indian art, philosophy and yoga in your room
Lows
- You might be disappointed by the lack of facilities: there is no swimming pool or gym
- Not child friendly; best suited to single travellers or couples
- It can get noisy during the day, and we've heard that the next door bar plays loud music until after midnight on Thursday-Saturday nights
- No inspiring views from the bedrooms, despite the hotel’s proximity to the sea
- Service can be laid-back but overall is very friendly and helpful
Best time to go
The period between November and February is the most pleasant time to visit Mumbai. Although there isn't a trace of winter here, the temperature drops, the skies are blue and the humidity is low. The rest of the year is split between heat and rain. The months leading up to the Monsoon (March to June) are particularly hot and humid with temperature averaging the late 30s (degrees Celsius) and humidity in the oppressive 80s and 90s. Between June and October rains lash the city, and on days of heavy rain (of which there are many) the city's infrastructure can often struggle to cope, making it rather inconvenient for visitors to get around.
Our top tips
Even though it may seem like a bustling metropolis, many of Mumbai’s neighbourhoods have a lot of individual character, so make sure you explore. Bandra, for instance, contains quaint East Indian villages with their Catholic churches, picturesque cottages and local bakeries that are increasingly threatened by modernisation.