Don't have much info for you except get a taxi from the 'office' outside the airport, it is safer, the number of the taxi is taken, and it is pre-paid.
There is a great little bar called New York New York which is a rare drinking place, on the junction and the chicken drumsticks (called lollipop) and the singapore noodles are amazing. It is rough and ready, eaten there many times and never had upset stomach and it is really cheap. NOT frequented by foreigners usually !
If you fancy any shopping for Salwar Kamize go to Sheetal in Grant Road (it's an area).
Hotels in my honest opinion, vary so much in that less than 4-5* can be very dodgy ! We went to one last March just for a few days, and I ended up with a dreadful ear infection. It was 3* government approved as well. I usually manage to get a deal, sometimes by mailing the hotel direct, sometimes using asiarooms or someone on the net. In my opinion the best hotel in main Mumbai HAS to be the Taj Mahal. I have got a double there in April for $260 and yes, it is a lot but the pool is to die for and it is RIGHT NEXT to the Gateway to India. Behind the hotel is a lovely shop for leather goods called Adamji and also a genuine Chemise Lacoste which is much cheaper than over here. Near to the Taj is also a massage place where the massages are heaps cheaper. There are cheaper hotels along Juhu Beach, but it is well away from the centre of Mumbai. The best location has to be Marine Drive Mumbai for location in my opinion.
Have stayed in the HIlton Tower which is OK but not much of a pool. There is another Taj Hotel the President which is fairly central and you can get it for around £100 a night. The Oberoi is very friendly, not so snobby as the Taj Mahal but expensive.
Another lovely hotel is the Leela Kempinski by the airports - beware the pool is COLD. This is some distance from town though - a good hour by taxi. Have also stayed at the Orchid, and if you do, and get a taxi there, be sure to pronounce it or-chid - as in the ch, say as child because the locals call it that !
I am flying with my husband from Mumbai to Goa via Jet Airways and the fare is currently around £102 each return. There are many cheaper airlines such as Kingfisher, Spice etc. but I have heard some dodgy things about their pilots. Jet has a VERY good reputation and I have flown with them several times before and find them very good. My husband is dying to take me on an Indian train, but I don't fancy it! Have been on suburban trains but the thought of spending 12 hours or something on a train doesn't fill me with enthusiasm.
You may want to try Demfer dot com for a villa - we are going there in April and another member* here is going there March. South Goa is much quieter by repute than north Goa but I have never been to North Goa. The Goa forums will have heaps of info - indeed I have been led here by another member* whose knowledge of Goa is vast !
Goa seems to be the haunt of Russians these days. I have heard elswehwere that a very recommended hotel, Marinha Dourada, has extensive building works right next to it which is why we changed our mind and have booked a villa instead at Luisa by the Sea Cavelossim in Goa.
