The Gordon House Hotel - Mumbai, India 

This is a pleasant down-town boutique hotel walking distance from the Taj but with rooms at 1/3rd the price - a reaslistic option for business and pleasure travellers on a budget in a city very short of decent rooms. Rooms are basic but comfortable. Service is friendly. The hotel is nearly always full and you need to book well in advance - and don't count on extending your stay. Downside (1) as noted by many visitors is the blasted disco which pumps a throbbing beat into every room until 2.30 am. However, I believe this is to be closed shortly and converted into additional rooms, which will be a significant improvement. Downside (2) skip the buffet breakfast which is unappealing and gave this correspondent a rare dose of the old Bombay-belly. Very inconvenient on a business trip.

We stayed at the Gordon House for one night at the end of a two week tour which was a great trip in all other respects. We simply could not have stayed another night, because of the noise. It is virtually impossible to sleep, mainly because of the nightclub (it's like having a disco in your room). However they also have external wall mounted air conditioning units which are also incredibly noisy. As for the rooms, they are distinctly average, and the bathrooms are tiny. Breakfast was the poorest that we experienced during our trip, and the staff were the least friendly. In summary, I would go as far as to say that this is the most unpleasant and uncomfortable night that I have spent in any hotel.