Hotel Of The Week: The Park Hotel in Navi Mumbai

It takes a fraction of a second, walking into the Park Hotel at Navi Mumbai on India's west coast, to register that the place is chic. Only later do you realise that it has seduced all five senses, so subtly is it done.

A group of six boutique hotels, the Park has made its name by fusing Indian essences with the best of international design. In 2003, it commissioned Terence Conran to refit its Delhi site. For its latest avatar, which opened in February, it again turned to Britain, to the cutting-edge Project Orange. The result is a visual delight: a play of textures, and clean profiles; simplicity blended with the ornate. The Pauls, who own the hotel, also run one of Delhi's leading art galleries.

The location

Based in Mumbai's new-town mainland twin, the five-storey Park is metropolitan and modernist. The grounds are small - a stylish terrace with dip pool.

The comfort factor

Your least relaxed moment at the Park will be on one of the more minimalist seats in Dust, the bar - but you'll be looking good. Otherwise style comes with comfort: firm, large beds, soft pillows, inviting sofas, ultra quiet air-conditioning, LCD TVs, broadband, daily papers and a library of books and DVDs.

Eighty bedrooms are arranged around a large atrium on the upper three floors. In the public areas below, hymns and chants feed the soul in the morning, shifting to cool ambient and lounge music as the day develops. There is a small, well-equipped gym and spa to minister to the body.

The bathroom

All rooms have attractive en suite bathrooms with walk-in showers. Ayurvedic soaps and shampoo, toothbrush, razor, bath robes and slippers await. One criticism: those applying make-up will curse the lighting.

The food and drink

Another strong point. Choose between Indian, international or Chinese in three eating areas, Zest, Aqua and Bamboo. Sharad Dewan, the executive chef, produces a superb mushroom risotto with as much ease as he does a Keralan fish moilee. Go for his tangy chilli lime sorbet to sample a melding of east and west. Excellent breads are home-baked. Three courses without wine cost £20 a head or less. The all-hours room service is extensive, the minibar well-stocked. Breakfast is another round of decisions. Try carrot and beetroot juice with your paneer paratha and Danish pastry.

The people

Young, hip and prosperous locals are already soaking up Navi Mumbai's first five-star hotel. India's jet-setting business class will gravitate here (there are good conference facilities), but tourists wanting an alternative to Mumbai will not feel out of place.

The area

The Konkan coast is known for its low-lying hills and creeks, and welcoming community. Three decades after Navi Mumbai was first conceived, these provide an attractive backdrop to what is fast becoming a high-rise city. Head south for an hour and you will discover Lonawala, the hill-station haunt of the Bollywood crowd; and if you follow the bay north you'll hit Maximum City itself.

The access

The hotel is fully accessible for those with limited mobility and has a room fitted for guests with wheelchairs. Children are welcome and baby-sitting can be arranged. Pets are not allowed.

The damage

A standard double room costs £124, including buffet breakfast.

The address

The Park Navi Mumbai No 1, Sector 10, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai 400614, India (00 91 22 2758 9000; navimumbai.theparkhotels. com).

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