Where is the best area / hotel to stay in in Mumbai?

• I'm visiting Mumbai soon from the UK and wondered where the best place to stay is for a tourist? Gate of India, Juhu, somewhere else? I'm planning just on sightseeing and shopping so no need to be near business district or aitport. And what are good hotels to stay in - I hear the Taj Mahal is not as good in reality as its reputation? Any advice appreciated!

• Answer:

  If your plan is sightseeing and shopping ... then my suggestion is the Taj. Stay in the 'old wing' and enjoy 'colonial era' luxury. It is across the raod from gateway of India and boat trips to Elephanta caves. It is a short distance to the things about Bombay that a tourist may want to see such as Dhobi Ghats, Hanging Gardens, Crawford markets, Chor Bazar and Chowpatty Beach. There are also lots of great places to eat. Shops with all the local handicrafts etc are in the vicinity. Juhu is great for more of a beachy place, but less things to see and do there. More shopping malls there but will see nothing that you can't buy from shops anywhere else in the world.