Hotel as art -- the Imperial Palace in Mumbai

What would Michelangelo think of the Imperial Palace hotel in Mumbai? Atop a hill in the remote suburb of Goregaon, the hotel's distinguishing feature is a series of elaborate and large paintings on the walls and ceiling that pay tribute to the Sistine Chapel's cherubs, angels and other classical figures.

The Imperial Palace hotel's design concept begins with marble and stone fountains and Italianate statues (one looks like Napoleon, another could pass for Eliza Doolittle) at the main gate and in the lobby. Artistic surprises await around nearly every corner, with more classically themed statuary mixed with tapestries and Renaissance-inspired paintings. Thirty containers filled with curtains, rugs, dragonhead taps, chandeliers and upholstery were shipped from China to add to the eclectic and thoroughly cattywampus atmosphere.

“We kept George V or Hotel de Crillon in Paris in mind,” the Imperial Palace hotel group's managing director Dilawar Nensey told "The Indian Express." The newspaper unkindly called the hotel "garish."

For those moving beyond the public areas, the Imperial Palace hotel's standard rooms are a spacious 580 square feet. Suites have attached terraces. Other hotel amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa, gym, restaurants and banquet and conference facilities.

The "luxury business hotel" also courts wedding parties, with Audi or Rolls Royce service available for hefty fees -- Rs 10,000 for the Rolls one way from the airport, for just one more example of the Imperial Palace hotel's commitment to jaw-dropping service.

Imperial Palace, 169 Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon (East), tel +91 (22) (0) 6713 3000

www.imperialpalacemumbai.com