Sun  Screened

There’s a window at Mereweather Road, in Mumbai's hip Colaba district, that offers a glimpse of a vacation, a moving picture on the art of doing nothing. It looks out on to the lush pool – so close you can almost dive in - at The Taj Mahal Hotel, where beautiful people lounging around in swimwear make ennui exquisite.

This is the deliciously indulgent view from Sunny House, a new bed and breakfast where a century-old one-bedroom flat comes with cable TV, Wi-fi and air conditioning. Two resident fat cats, Kali and India, are optional. Sunny House is run by half Indian-half French Roxan Sabatier, who moved to Mumbai just six months ago from Paris, where she sold sail boats. She’s been anchored to this 80 square metre flat ever since, but only just turned it into a B&B.

Sleep Inn

True to its moniker, the apartment is all windows, allowing colonial furniture collected by Roxan’s mother over the years, to sun bathe in the living room. The bedroom is cozy but what we really love is the bathroom that comes with a gorgeous blue and red stained glass window. Despite the beautiful old building and antique furniture, Sunny House has just the right amount of contemporary fixtures (lights and fancy faucets) to reassure you the place won’t come apart on a bad day. Next door neighbours include quiet art works from the Galerie Mirchandani Steinruecke downstairs that has a store room on the same level as this B&B.

At approximately Rs 7,500 per night for two, the stay includes a caretaker who’ll clean and a cook who’ll do continental breakfast. Parsi, French, Indian and Italian meals can also be ordered in advance at an additional cost. But that may not be a great idea seeing as how the neighbourhood is full of dining options to fill your stomach – Busaba, Indigo, The Table, LPQ – and stores like Bombay Electric, Attic and Bungalow 8, to help lighten the load.

Considering its price, pretty furnishings and prime location, Sunny House is a great option for the next time you're visiting Mumbai.

Getting there: Sunny House Bed and Breakfast, 2nd floor, Mereweather Road, Colaba, call 9930353363 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , view the Facebook page here, 120 euros per night for two people, includes breakfast and caretaker.