For those of you who would need to stay in Bombay for a short while and have no wish to stay with relatives or splurge on accommodation that you would use merely for sleeping at nights, I would recommend St. Bridget's Enclave in Vakola, a eastern suburb of Bombay just off the highway on the other side of the tracks of Santacruz.
The nuns who run the place are simple and friendly and I had no complaints. With only breakfast included, since I opted out of lunch and dinner, the tab came to a mere Rs 650 per person per day. For Rs 1,300 my wife and I got a furnished 3 bedroom flat of which we were allocated one bedroom. The other two were unoccupied since the place was new and it was quite comfortable. For Bombay city accommodations, these prices are a real bargain. St Bridget's Enclave is a 6 storied newly constructed building that consists of shops for rental on the ground and a single 3 bedroom apartment on each floor. The nuns occupy the first and second floors and let out the rest to out-of-town and overseas visitors. It is located in a dense residential area but is only a 15 minutes drive from the airport and 500 meters away from the Western Express Highway flyovers that take you direct to Bandra or downtown Bombay where all the action is. Autorickshaws and taxis are within hailing distance. The last time I was in Bombay, I stayed at YMCA International at Bombay Central, a full service, well kept, clean facility almost in the heart of town (they have a website) that is popular with out-of-towners. This time I needed for personal reasons to be located in the suburbs, so St Bridgets was convenient. The Y though, costs more than double St. Bridgets, if that matters to you. I was told about it by Fr Basilio Monteiro of Long Island NY who has been availing of St Bridget's accommodations whenever in Bombay. But I think he has not been to this new place. You may contact Sr Ann or Sr Lillian at landline +91 22 2669-1088 or mobile +91 982 139 4367, say hello from me and make sure you get their delectable Mangalore/Kerala style of sannas, sambhar and chicken curry for breakfast along with their delicious Nigiris coffee. -- Roland Francis 416-453-3371
