entertaining (3)

Bear in mind that if you are entertaining a mixed group of clients including locals, they will always be reluctant to be seen in public having too much of a good time anywhere where alcohol is obviously served, whatever their private feelings about it. A good solution to this problem is horse racing at Nad Al Sheba which happens on most Thursdays in the winter.

Patronised by the ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, horse racing is widely regarded as a good thing. It is enjoyed by all and there are a variety of corporate options provided by Dubai Racing Club which are cheaper than you would expect. Food and alcoholic drink is available to whoever wants it and the privacy of a box will be appreciated by locals.

Milk and Honey (astonishing cocktails), the Rise Bar (breathtaking views) and the hotel bars at Gramercy Park, Hudson, Regis and Columbus Circle are also winners.

The best way to get around Mumbai is to hire a chauffeur-driven car from your hotel. This way you’ll be transported in air-conditioned luxury and will be guaranteed to be safe. The taxis are hot and drivers sometimes deliberately misunderstand you, or will take you the long way round to tot up the fare on the meter.

If you spill something down your suit on the first day, then Burlington’s in the mall at the Taj Mahal Hotel will make you a very reasonable tailor-made suit overnight. The new place for doing business is the Bandra Kurla Complex; the Grand Hyatt is five minutes away and is very good, with an Italian restaurant that serves excellent pizza. The area’s a bit grungy but the hotel has its own ten-acre plot and once inside it has everything you’d want – including faxes in the rooms and Wi-Fi. There’s a restaurant called Indigo Colaba, which is just adjacent to the business district of Nairman Point, and it serves very good European food with pan-Asian influences and has a lovely ambience. It’s very popular, so get your hotel to book you a table.

Because the traffic is so bad in Mumbai, it is a good idea to have your meetings and do your entertaining at the hotel you are staying at, rather than having to traipse around town. Most of the big international hotels have suites and meeting rooms and good restaurants attached to them.

Be careful at Mumbai airport because porters will load your bags on to trolleys the minute you have your back turned and then charge you for the privilege. If you do want a porter it is always best to negotiate the price beforehand.