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.
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.
- Boutique Hotel
- 14 rooms
- Restaurant (open daily)
- Over 16s only
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
The rooms at Le Sutra are spread across 3 floors, each themed according to the 3 gunas of Hindu philosophy - Tamas, Rajas and Sattva. Gunas are a person's personality traits and these have been translated by the hotel’s designers into every feature of the room, from colour palette to painting. And each room has a unique carved wooden chair; perhaps a swan or a yoga pose.
Every room tells a story and art is everywhere, from the inlaid flooring to the door handles, even the bathroom mirrors. And look out for surprise design features such as a pair of brightly coloured fibreglass parrots on the tree outside your window.
Tamas is associated with opulence and excessiveness, so the rooms on this floor are elaborate. Maya (illusion) is the only single; a heavily mirrored room with a low sunken bed. Vaasna (sensuality) is designed for romance with erotic art and a see-through bathroom.
The Rajas floor is centred on action and passion, and the rooms here are more 'Indian' with their colourful kitsch. Kathak, named for the classical Indian dance form, is decorated in rich blues and reds, and has a lovely window seat. Shrinagar (adornment) has a funky mirror installation representing self love.
Sattva implies austerity and the rooms on this floor are my favourite, for their relative minimalism. Shuddhi (purity) is a haven of cool whites and blues, with a fascinating floor inlay that represents an ancient water purification system. The Nirvan (ultimate consciousness) room comes with a stunning frescoed wall depicting Buddha’s journey to self actualisation.
Contemporary bathrooms are more basic in design, but still swanky with hairdryers and toiletries from all-natural Indian brand Khadi. Bathtubs are found in Maya, Vaasna, Taal and Ashoka; other rooms are shower only.
All rooms have plasma TVs, cupboards and minibars (sadly with no alcohol, although it can be ordered in). The beds are queensized and comfortable. A pillow menu was promised but none was made available.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Urban legend (happily perpetuated by the hotel’s owners) has it that any couple who comes to Out of the Blue on their first dinner date, ends up getting married. But that’s not the only reason the restaurant attached to Le Sutra is so popular. With its alfresco dining and the happy marriage of Indian and western flavours, it is packed most nights. Famous for its Indianised fondues and well-priced cocktails, the atmosphere is always convivial.
Breakfast (included) is also served at the restaurant. It is a simple affair, with fresh fruit, cereal, breads, cold cuts and a small à la carte menu of omelettes and French toast. The all-day room service menu is identical to that of Out of the Blue so if you’d prefer to eat in your room, order away.
If you feel like something more extravagant, try Olive next door. Its Ibiza-style setting and Mediterranean fare has always drawn in the crowds and Thursday nights are when the neighbourhood’s best lookers come out to play. Adjoining Out of the Blue is Deliciae, an all-day semi-outdoor dessert cafe where any time of day you will find groups of men and women grabbing a quick coffee or a pick-me-up tiramisu. Also available is standard bakery fare like breads, cakes and buns.
For a little local flavour, the choices are almost confusing. Street food is available aplenty down the road on the Carter Road Promenade, which also houses a creperie, frozen yoghurt bar and several coffee shops. But if you want something special try Pali Village café, a charming bistro that’s a 10-minute taxi away. Escobar, a terrace bar and restaurant (it has a 77-foot bar) is also a 10-minute taxi, as is Salt Water café, an all-day delicatessen.
Features include:
- Bar
- Coffee maker
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Pop into Angdai Day Spa on the first floor for a quick pick-me-up; it specialises in body massages, foot and hand care, including manicures and pedicures
- Order a yoga teacher in. There’s a gallery on the rooftop where you can practice your suryanamaskaras (headstands)
- Get the concierge to supply you with a list of the neighbourhood’s best restaurants and bars. Consult the TimeOut magazine in your room for current entertainment options, including plays and concerts
- Head downtown to South Mumbai, with its highly visible British influence. Check out the Victoria Terminus station, an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Stroll through the Prince of Wales Museum then up to The Gateway of India. Go bargain hunting in the street shops on high-energy Colaba Causeway and end the day with a cold beer at the ever-popular (and raucous) Café Leopold
- For an authentic flavour of the city, get a more personalised introduction. For heritage walks around Bandra, or across town in the older parts of South Mumbai, contact Beyond Bombay or Bombay Heritage Walks
- Hop on a boat and head to Elephanta Caves across the harbour from the Gateway of India. They date back to at least the 8th century and contain some of the most striking collections of rock art in India. Our advice is to take the air-conditioned boat, the price of which includes an English-speaking guide
- Jet-lagged? Curl up in bed with a movie. The concierge has DVDs available
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Yoga
Kids
Le Sutra doesn’t profess to be child friendly and it isn’t. There are no cots or extra beds, this is definitely a hotel for adults.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Le Sutra is in the Mumbai coastal suburb of Khar, which is adjacent to cosmopolitan and sought-after Bandra, known as 'Queen of the Suburbs'.
By Air
Fly into Mumbai's international or domestic airport. The hotel is about 12km (30 minutes) from the former, and 8km (15-20 minutes) from the latter by road. Click on the links below for a list of airlines which serve the airport.
From the Airport
You can take a Cool Cab (which should cost around INR400 from the domestic and INR500 from the international airports). Direct them to the Cafe Coffee Day on Carter Road and Khar Union Park. The hotel can also organise a transfer, see Rates.
By Train
Bandra and Khar railway stations (2 and 0.5km away respectively) are well connected to local train services, if you'd prefer to travel by rail. Take a tuk-tuk from the local station, about 2km away, a 10-minute ride.
By Car
Car hire around Mumbai is recommended as public transport can get quite tricky for an outsider to manoeuvre. The hotel can organise that for you. Taxis and autorickshaws (tuk tuks) are in abundance. However, always ask for the meter card to check the price quoted by the taxi or auto driver.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mumbai and getting around
Airports:
- Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport aka Sahar Airport 12.0 km BOM
Other:
- Beach 4.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
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