Hotel Diplomat was built in 1975 by a family of restaurateurs, who still own the property along with a chain of contemporary restaurants. Fittingly, the restaurants are the main draw here, both capitalizing on trendy interiors with drinks and a late night food scene. As a result, it can get crowded and noisy below, especially on weekends. The main entrance sits between the eateries, under a colonnade of stone arches. The glass doors open into a lobby with marble floors, rows of modern wood and leather chairs along the walls, and a reception desk with back lit panels at the far end of the hall. Most guests are a fairly even mix of business and leisure travelers. 

The hotel is in the Colaba neighborhood, one of the oldest areas of South Mumbai. It's located in the middle of a shopping street with numerous restaurants and shops within close walking distance. It's about five minutes on foot to get to the waterfront and to the Gateway of India. The National Gallery of Modern Art is an eight-minute walk from the hotel. It's under a 20-minute drive to the island mausoleum of Haji Ali Dargah. For luxury shopping, High Street Phoenix Mall and Palladium Mall are both about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Churchgate Railway Station is the nearest train station, a five-minute drive from the hotel. Expect at least a 40-minute drive to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

The hotel has 50 air-conditioned guest rooms, which vary in decor between plain older rooms and some that have been renovated with a more contemporary look. All are comfortable and tidy, and they have high ceilings with fans and large windows that let in plenty of light. Standard Rooms range from 175 to 200 square feet, with tiled floors and AC window units housed in the mostly bare walls. They have either king, double, or two twin beds, and seating areas with tables and chairs, along with small desks. Deluxe Rooms range from 200 to 240 square feet, and some have been updated with wood flooring and huge backlit padded headboards. Standard amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. The bathrooms are basic and not all have been updated, as some have walk-in showers with curtains whereas others have glass partitions. Toiletries are provided, but there are no hairdryers. 

Features are slim at this hotel, but drinking and dining are a highlights. The hotel has two restaurants opposite each other on the ground floor; Colaba Social is a bar and eatery that serves international cuisine in a lively industrial space with music, and Pa Pa Ya is a modern pan-Asian restaurant. Both cater to late-night crowds. A free international breakfast buffet is included in rates. There are also two banquet rooms, one capable of accommodating 100 people, and the other has an adjacent rooftop terrace which can host up to 400 guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout.