The concept of a hotel staycation has always fascinated me. Relaxing at a property in the same city without the hassle of a long journey, change in weather or other complications of a conventional trip... The idea seemed especially enticing when I heard about the chance to experience it at one of Mumbai's newest openings: ICONIQA. Driving to the location, I did feel like it was the start of a regular vacation - my route took me almost all the way to T2 before making a detour towards the hotel. Its proximity to the airport was thrilling because of the views it offered from vantage points on the property. It also meant we could technically not convince ourselves we were away from the bustle of the city - but it did allow us to discover a new side of it.
Photo Credit: ICONIQA
ICONIQA is part of the Royal Orchid Hotels group, and the Mumbai location is its first and flagship property. Rather than strictly leisure or business, ICONIQA describes its niche as "upscale lifestyle", with a distinctive "Un-Hoteling" philosophy. It aims to challenge certain conventional notions about hotel stays, whether in terms of layout, services, and facilities. In practical terms, this translated to a unique set of experiences that, for us, was characterised by both a sense of comfort and discovery. Read our full review below:
KADAK
One of the best parts of our staycation was relishing varied dishes at Kadak, the hotel's progressive Indian dining restaurant. Helmed by Chef Ritabrata Biswas, it spotlights well-known flavours from across the country with signature twists. Parts of iconic dishes, from soups and chaats to kebabs and gravies, are reimagined with creative flair. The menu's approach is not about trendy fusion or mere theatrics. The robust aromas of the original delicacies, diverse as they may be, are respectfully retained. Some textures are unexpected... but at the end of the bite, one cannot deny that the taste is grounded and delicious.
Hass Avocado Chaat. Photo Credit: ICONIQA
Take, for instance, the Sponge Dahi Bhalla with Aerated Yoghurt. The consistency of the elements is decidedly unconventional. But two spoons in, you'll realise it still provides flavourful satisfaction - albeit in a new way. Another chaat item we loved was the Hass Avocado Chaat. Served in a hollowed-out avocado, it was a mix of crisp, cool and comforting. The contrast of the smoothness of the fruit, the crispiness of the sev and the crunch of peanuts was uncomplicated and yummy.
Ulta Tawa Tacos with Kashmiri Rajma. Photo Credit: Toshita Sahni
Craving a spicy delight? You cannot afford to miss the chance to taste the Ulta Tawa Tacos with Kashmiri Rajma. We loved it so much, we ordered it twice! The bean filling was beautifully juicy and bursting with flavour. We also called for the Ratatouille Khurchan a second time during our stay. The creamy gravy was given a fun cheesy upgrade, and its pairing with garlic naan was nothing short of heavenly. Another main showcased the chef's inventive approach: in the Coorg Chicken Curry, the appam was not served on the side - it arrived as a steamy, spongy layer covering the dish!
Coorg Chicken Curry with appam. Photo Credit: Toshita Sahni
Among the non-veg appetisers, we highly recommend the Seabass Fry enhanced with the brightness of the lime and the punchiness of chilli. It's a tangy, hearty snack that feels perfect after a swim (or a particularly long meeting). Some of the other scrumptious highlights from our meals were the Black Chickpea Rasam, the Cream Cheese Tikki, the Smoked Paprika Chicken Tikka and the Reconstructed Serradura. As you can see, the menu here is impressively expansive.
The hotel's buffet breakfast is also served at KADAK. In the mornings, its food focuses on meeting the common expectations of guests. We were curious about this move away from experimentation (which seemed to be in stark contrast to the rest of the hotel's offerings), and the chef explained that it was a strategic call taken after many weeks of observation of feedback. Nevertheless, what stood out to us was the interesting range of "healthy" dishes available. Alongside buttery baked treats and hot waffles, we started our days with cool takes on quinoa, millets and other nourishing ingredients. For instance, the Maggi-flavoured barley kept us fuelled for the rest of the morning.
Bombay Swim Club And The Aviator
The Aviator. Photo Credit: ICONIQA
The other major dining destinations at the hotel are The Aviator (the bar bang opposite the entry at the lobby level) and the Bombay Swim Club (a poolside club by day, a restobar by night). At the former, the bar team served us some impressive drinks. We especially recommend the Yama Fizz (whiskey highball with apple cinnamon syrup, topped with fizz) and Truffle Martini (truffle-infused vodka, vetiver Lillet Rose, caper brine). Among the zero-proof options, the Red Mist blew us away (mixed berry Compote, Gochujang, jalapeno, and pineapple juice). The Picante 2.0 was also a fun sip (featuring green apple pickle brine, apple juice).
Bombay Swim Club. Photo Credit: ICONIQA
For a more dramatic setting, head up to Bombay Swim Club. Located beside the hotel's long rooftop pool, it offers unparalleled views of Mumbai Airport's T2. The noise of engines and other activities doesn't travel much. Being so close to the runway also means your views are virtually uninterrupted - unlike other parts of the city, there are no shiny skyscrapers dwarfing the building you're in. Open skies are something of a luxury in Mumbai, and we were immediately charmed by the rooftop location of the hotel. We watched a stunning sunset from the cool waters of the pool and later savoured a hearty dinner at the restobar. The food menu here centres around Japanese and Mexican flavours. There are delicious tacos and sushi options, but also other niche, hearty creations.
Apart from these, there's a chic Dessert Lab that serves sandwiches, burgers, and simple snacks alongside coffees, teas and other staple beverages. It is open throughout the day, unlike the other restaurants at ICONIQA.
ICONIQA: Rooms And Amenities
Photo Credit: Toshita Sahni
Ours was truly a foodie staycation at ICONIQA, as we kept snacking even in our suite. Each of the hotel's rooms has a free non-alcoholic minibar stocked with packaged fruit juices, soda cans and some nibbles. The contents are restocked daily, and you can also request extra if needed. If you're someone who loves something crunchy at midnight or even mid-morning (like us), it is highly convenient. Another unique feature of the rooms is an in-built Smart Laundry Closet. All you have to do is hang up your clothes inside the device and use the touchscreen interface to choose whether you wish to dry, refresh or clean them. The processes are completely automated and range from around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the one chosen.
The hotel has another tech-forward offering it takes pride in: its gym has AI-enabled interfaces where one can select the type of training/exercises of their choice and receive virtual guidance sessions. They are pre-programmed into the device, but still customisable to a certain extent. The gym also has a pilates and yoga studio, a boxing stand, and other state-of-the-art amenities to meet the changing needs of fitness enthusiasts in today's world.
The hotel is bound to attract both business travellers and leisure guests, and ensures it has the spaces both require. Alongside multiple conference rooms of varying sizes (and outfitted with good tech), there are also sections dedicated to relaxation, such as its spa and wellness centre providing a wide range of treatments, as well as a nail & beauty bar.
We had a fantastic time staying at ICONIQA and were left quite impressed with its F&B offerings, especially. We'd return to Kadak for the creative dishes and Bombay Swim Club for drinks with fabulous views.
Address: ICONIQA Hotel Mumbai International Airport, opp. Terminal 2, Navpada, Marol Village, Andheri (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400099.