Renovated avatar of the 114-year-old Landsowne House, Abode is a blend of Bombay’s tradition with Mumbai’s modernity
The adage “don’t judge a book by its cover” could never have been truer. The restored wooden and iron entrance belied its reputation of being Mumbai’s first luxury boutique hotel, even as the double-storeyed building standing in bustling Colaba exuded an old world charm.
Hotel Abode is the renovated avatar of the 114-year-old Landsowne House. The Sham family had purchased this residence of David Sassoon, once Bombay’s most influential entrepreneurs, in 1982 and turned it into a budget lodge called Regency Inn. In 2013 inspiration stuck Abedin Sham, son of the owner Essa Sham, who transformed the inn into an abode of luxury housing a blend of Bombay’s tradition with Mumbai’s modernity.
Sitting on the vintage furniture purchased from local antique sellers you can connect with the world using the latest technology. A pillar with two clocks on opposite sides, one saying Bombay and the other Mumbai aptly symbolises this marriage. The Sham family’s masterstroke, which today is USP of this hotel, was to provide hospitality in the true sense of the word.
In the words of the owner Essa Sham: “What makes Abode a truly luxury experience is its unique touch of personalised services. A lot of five-star hotels offer every possible amenity but miss out on this simple but crucial one.”
The pampering starts at the check-in counter where you are served the hotel’s special tea along with glucose biscuits. You can complete the formalities from the comfort of your room. Keeping up with times, each room has a cell phone instead of the usual fixed line phone for calling up room service, concierge and other service staff. If the cell phone provides the modern touch then the good old days when maps and not Google helped travelers are recreated through a cute, customised Abode Map of South Bombay detailing the area and its eating joints.
Australian architect and interior designer Sian Pascale has succeeded in engraining Indianness in the décor and design. From the restored vintage teakwood furnishings to the unusual picture of Mumbadevi, the deity after whom the city is named, the décor is enchanting. The ivory white walls are brought alive by some amazing photographs of Mumbai. Frames containing vintage books in Bengali, Marathi and other Indian languages with signed covers add class to the surroundings.
The floors are laid with hand-made cement tiles, using a 100-year-old technique and reclaimed Burma teak, salvaged from demolished houses.
The mirror wall and the 19th century chandelier in the lobby add to the grandeur. Deft use of lighting multiplies the beauty and charm of this heritage building and leaves you enchanted.
As I bid adieu to Essa Sham, I meet an Australian who has made the hotel his abode for almost 4 months now. “This place is awesome, mate!” he chirps in a typical Aussie drawl. I couldn’t agree less and, leave the hotel feeling like a tourist who makes a promise to himself to return to complete the adventure.
