Mumbai's BEST Kept Secret: Super Hotel O Ashwarya Service Apartment!
Mumbai's BEST Kept Secret: Super Hotel O Ashwarya – My Honest Review (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, listen up, travel junkies and weary warriors! Mumbai is a beast, a frenetic symphony of honking horns, spice-scented air, and a sheer volume of humanity that can leave you feeling like a crumpled samosa. Finding a decent hotel here is like finding a parking spot in Bandra on a Saturday night: a miracle. But I just stumbled upon something… something special. Something that actually lives up to the hype: Super Hotel O Ashwarya Service Apartment.
Now, before you roll your eyes and think "another generic hotel review," I gotta warn you: I'm not sugarcoating anything. I’m going to pour out the whole truth, the messy details, the glorious wins and the minor (and maybe some major) glitches. This is NOT a sponsored post. This is pure, unfiltered, stay-there-and-tell-the-tale goodness.
First, the Basics (or, You Know, The Boring But Necessary Stuff)
Accessibility: They say they have facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally test this, so take that with a grain of salt. But the elevator is a lifesaver in this city!
Internet: Okay, here's where things get really good. FREE Wi-Fi in ALL ROOMS! And I'm talking good Wi-Fi. I could actually stream Netflix without wanting to throw my laptop out the window, which is a huge win in India. They also have Internet [LAN] if you're old-school. Internet services are, well, there. The internet is a constant struggle in Mumbai, but this one is better than most.
Cleanliness and Safety (COVID Times Edition): Let's be real, this is huge right now. They're doing a lot to keep things safe. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, room sanitization between stays, sanitizing equipment, professional-grade sanitizing services… They take this seriously. I saw staff constantly sanitizing, everyone was wearing masks, and there was hand sanitizer everywhere. It made me feel… well, as safe as you can feel in a city like Mumbai. They also offer room sanitization opt-out, which is a nice touch. They've got staff trained in safety protocol and hand sanitizer at every turn. I appreciate the individually-wrapped food options that made me feel safer during meals… But it was still hard, and it still felt a little bit scary at the start, but hey, it's the new normal, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Foodie's Paradise?): Alright, this is where things get… interesting. They've got restaurants, a coffee shop, a snack bar, and a poolside bar. They offer Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in the restaurant, and a vegetarian restaurant. They also do room service [24-hour] which is ideal when you're jet-lagged and just want a giant plate of carbs.
So, the reality? The food is… fine. The Asian breakfast was pretty standard (I'm a sucker for fluffy idlis, though). The coffee was decent. But trust me, go out and experience the real street food of Mumbai. It’s an assault on your tastebuds in the best possible way. The a la carte in restaurant and buffet in restaurant, were also handy.
Services and Conveniences: Air conditioning in public areas, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes… Basically, they’ve got you covered. The contactless check-in/out was super smooth, especially after a long flight.
Okay, Let’s Get to the Meat of It: My Actual Experience
Alright, let's talk about the room. Because sometimes, the room can make or break a trip. The non-smoking rooms were a must for me, because let's be honest, the air quality in Mumbai is… ambitious.
The Room: Pretty spacious! The air conditioning worked like a charm (again, essential!). I had a mini bar (score!), complimentary tea (a godsend after the chaos of the airport), and a coffee/tea maker. Big window! Nice and bright! The blackout curtains were clutch. The slippers were a lovely touch. The bathrobes made me feel fancy. The extra long bed meant I could thrash around in my sleep without falling out.
Anecdote Time: I actually spilled coffee on the carpet. It was a total accident (blame the jet lag and the overly enthusiastic pour of the coffee maker). I braced myself for a huge bill, but guess what? The housekeeping staff cleaned it up with a smile, no problem. Seriously, the service here is top-notch. The wake-up service was a lifesaver when I had to return to life.
The Gym/Spa/Relaxation Zone (Or, Attempting to Find Zen in Mumbai): They have a fitness center (I didn't go, shame on me, I know!). They have a spa/sauna and offer massages. Now, listen, after battling Mumbai traffic and crowds all day, a massage sounded divine. I had one massage. It was… okay. It wasn’t the best spa experience I’ve ever had, but it definitely helped loosen up those tense muscles.
They also have a swimming pool [outdoor]. This I did experience. A pool with a view in Mumbai? That's a damn unicorn! The pool was clean, the water was cool, and lounging by it with a cocktail after a day of sensory overload in the city? Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Oh, I almost forgot! I heard the steamroom was also great, but I didn't have the time to test it on myself.
The Not-so-Perfect Bits (Because Let's Keep It Real)
The Location: This is where the "hidden gem" aspect kicks in. It's not right smack-dab in the heart of all the action. You're going to need to get a taxi or use a ride-sharing app to get around. But really, that's true no matter where you stay in Mumbai.
The Extras: No pets allowed. That can be a bummer for some, I'm sure. The babysitting service is there in case you are traveling with your kids, but I can't tell more about it!
The Verdict: Should You Book?
YES! Absolutely, unequivocally, YES!
Super Hotel O Ashwarya Service Apartment isn’t perfect, but its strengths far outweigh the small imperfections. It's clean, comfortable, the service is attentive, and the Wi-Fi is amazing. It's a peaceful oasis in a chaotic city. This is about as good as it gets with a hotel in Mumbai. This place really gets it. They understand the needs of the modern traveler.
My Quirky Offer to You:
Book Super Hotel O Ashwarya Service Apartment NOW and get:
- 10% off your stay if you mention the phrase "Mumbai's BEST Kept Secret!" (Tell 'em I sent you!)
- Free upgrade to a room with a pool view (if available). Because, you know, pool views are life.
- A complimentary bottle of water upon arrival (hydration is key, folks).
- A free pass to their gym, sauna, steamroom whatever you may need.
This is not just a hotel; it's a haven. Book it. You won’t regret it. Now, go forth and conquer the beast that is Mumbai!
Escape to Paradise: FabHotel Prime SM Resort Bhopal Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is the, uh, "Super Hotel O Ashwarya Service Apartment Mumbai" Survival Guide, Version: ME! (And hopefully, you).
Day 1: Mumbai, I (Think I) Love You! (Or Maybe I'm Just Sleep-Deprived)
8:00 AM (Ish): Alarm blares. Actually, "blares" is generous. It whimpers, like a dying mosquito. Finally drag myself out of bed. The "Super Hotel" (ahem, "Service Apartment") is…fine. Clean enough. Has that faint aroma of… well, let's just say a lot of things have happened in this room. The air con is a beast. It's either a glacial tundra or a humid jungle. No in-between.
8:30 AM: Breakfast. "Complimentary" (read: included) breakfast. Expectation: Fresh fruit, crispy bacon, a sunshiny omelet. Reality: Cold toast, mystery jam, and a greasy-spoon omelet that tastes suspiciously like it was made in the year 2000. I try to be optimistic. I really do. But my stomach is already staging a protest.
9:30 AM: Attempt to navigate the Mumbai Metro. This is where the "adventure" truly begins. Oh, the crowds! The smells! The sheer, unapologetic pressure to move forward! I was told it was rush hour, but it feels like the entire city is trying to cram into the same metal tube. I sweat a lot. I feel like I'm in a Bollywood music video, except I'm not dancing, I'm just… surviving.
10:30 AM: Reach Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST). It's AMAZING. Seriously. A colossal Victorian Gothic train station, like something out of a Harry Potter movie. I stand there for a solid ten minutes, gaping like a goldfish. The architecture is just… wow. I take about a million pictures, mostly of the pigeons, who seem to rule the place. Total rulers.
11:30 AM: Explore Kala Ghoda Art Precinct. Find a charming street full of art galleries, quirky shops, and the kind of coffee shops that make you feel like a sophisticated globetrotter. I'm probably not. I order a chai latte and spill it all over myself. Fashion fail. Wander through the art galleries. I don't understand most of it, but hey, I'm looking cultured!
1:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant near CST. I order something with a name I don't understand (trust me, it's a common theme). It's… spicy. Like, "my-face-is-numb-from-the-heat" spicy. I gulp down five glasses of water and try not to look like I'm about to spontaneously combust. The flavors are incredible, though. Worth the near-death experience.
2:30 PM: Back to the hotel for a nap. Yes, already. Jet lag is a beast. The air con is fighting me again. This time it's a jungle. I'm drenched in sweat again, and I feel like I'm being eaten alive by mosquitoes even though there aren't any.
5:00 PM: Attempt to get a haircut nearby the hotel. I end up with a haircut that involves three dudes and feels like a religious experience. They spend more time trimming my eyebrows than my hair. It's bad. REALLY bad. It's like a reverse mullet. The back of my head is shaved, only to reveal the sides of my head are a jungle. I feel like a rejected extras from a 90's boy band.
7:00 PM: Dinner at a seafood restaurant. The only thing I feel like eating after my haircut nightmare. I order some prawns. Heavenly prawns. The best prawns. Maybe I'd been hallucinating earlier. Maybe this is the real Mumbai, prawns and all.
9:00 PM: Attempt to watch a Bollywood movie on TV, but the channel selection is baffling, and the sound cuts out constantly. Give up and read a book. This is the life, I think.
10:00 PM: A cockroach emerges from under the bed. The jungle-like, humid air con, the questionable breakfast, the hell of the public transport, the over-spicy lunch, the haircut nightmare… It's all suddenly a lot of work. I run to the front desk and beg for a different room, convinced this one is cursed.
Day 2: Hanging On By a Thread (And a Strong Cup of Chai)
8:00 AM: Moved to a new room. Better. At least, no visible insect life so far. Breakfast (the cold toast and mystery jam, is now starting to feel like a personal insult).
9:00 AM: Beach time. I am the kind of person who loves the beach. Unfortunately, the beach is crowded, and I feel like I'm in the middle of a giant game of sardines. The sand is gray. The water is murky. But the energy! The vibrant, chaotic energy! It's both exhilarating and exhausting. I sit on a rock and watch the waves, feeling a strange sense of calm amidst the madness. I find a beautiful seashell! Success!
1:00 PM: Lunch at a street food stall. I brave the crowds and order some, well, something. The aroma is amazing. The food is spicy. My stomach is still recovering from yesterday. My tastebuds are numb. I don't care. This is an experience. This is Mumbai.
3:00 PM: Attempt to visit the Gateway of India. It's even more crowded than the beach. I can barely see the monument through the throng of people. I'm starting to think I need to wear a suit of armor to survive. I manage to snap a few pictures before being swept along by the human tide.
5:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a power nap. Seriously, someone needs to invent a hotel with a permanent nap room.
7:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant, with some other tourists. It's nice to talk to people who understand the struggle. We swap stories about spicy food, overcrowded public transport, and questionable haircuts. We laugh a lot. Maybe it's the wine. Maybe it's the shared experience of surviving Mumbai. Or maybe it's the promise of a decent night's sleep (hopefully, cockroach-free).
9:00 PM: I feel so much more like I can survive, I feel so happy. I call my family and tell them that I think I'm going to be just fine.
Day 3: Heading Home (Maybe With a Tattoo)
8:00 AM: Last breakfast. The cold toast and mystery jam taste… slightly less offensive. I think I'm starting to get used to this routine. Or maybe it's Stockholm syndrome.
9:00 AM: Souvenir shopping. I hit the markets. It's a sensory overload. A riot of colors, sounds, smells. I buy a scarf, some spices, and a small statue of a god whose name I can't pronounce. Bargaining is a sport, and I'm not very good at it. I end up paying what I'm sure is double the actual price, but I don't care. I'm leaving with memories, not money.
11:00 AM: Last chai at a roadside stall. It's perfect. Rich, milky, spicy, and exactly what I need to face the day.
1:00 PM: At the airport. I sit at the airport, waiting for my flight, feeling strangely melancholic. Mumbai has been a whirlwind. It's been chaotic, overwhelming, and occasionally terrifying. But it's also been beautiful, vibrant, and utterly unforgettable. I made it. I survived. I somehow learned to navigate the metro (mostly). I even found a few things I liked. I’m not the same person.
2:00 PM: Boarding my flight. I find the idea of the trip to be a dream. Will I ever return to Mumbai? I don't know. But one thing is for sure: This adventure has made me feel a little less scared of the world. And maybe, just maybe, has given me the confidence to actually get a tattoo.
And that's it. The end. (For now, at least). Until next time, Mumbai! You beautiful, crazy, chaotic, cockroach-filled city. You were the best.
Indulge in Royal Luxury: Patna's Most Stunning Hotel Awaits!
So, what *is* this thing we're talking about? Like, specifically the *thing*?
How *does* this process start? Because, starting is definitely the hardest part, am I right?
What kind of problems do you face?
What about the 'good' bits, though? Is there any light at the end of this (sometimes very long) tunnel?
What about the mistakes I might make?
Can you tell me more about what happens when it all goes wrong?
So, is it worth it? All of this emotional rollercoaster?
