Udaipur

The white marble Taj Lake Palace seems to float magically in the middle of the stunning Lake Pichola, facing the city of Udaipur against the backdrop of the Aravalli Mountains. The hotel’s 83 individually decorated rooms and suites are located in a former royal palace that is only accessible from the mainland by boat. Recently renovated and updated, the Taj Lake Palace is considered one of the most romantic hotels in the world. The Neel Kamal restaurant serves Rajasthani cuisine; the Jharokha room offers light international fare; and the open-air rooftop restaurant Bhairo has clear view of the City Palace. There is a lakeside bar and lounge with incredible views of the surrounding countryside. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, hot and cold Jacuzzis and an aerobic workout room, though no fitness center. The business center has computers and mobile phones for hire, broadband Internet access and wi-fi access. The Jiva spa offers traditional Indian spa treatments, and is available for exercise and relaxation. Taj Lake Palace is a 40-minute drive to the airport in Dabok (UDR).

A 45-minute drive from Maharana Pratap Airport lies the Leela Palace Udaipur, a five-star property on the banks of Lake Pichola. Sporting sweeping views of the City Palace and the majestic Aravalli Mountains, the Leela Palace Udaipur features seventy-two rooms and suites divided into six categories, all decorated in sepia tones with local textiles and artwork. The in-house restaurant, the Dining Room, offers a cornucopia of cuisines throughout the day; the Sheesh Mahal, a rooftop restaurant on the lakeside that offers fine dining under the stars, and serves cuisine from the royal kitchens of India; and the Library Bar, an intimate lounge that fuses English club decor with Indian aesthetic principles. Food can also be served by the mosaic-tiled pool overlooking Lake Pichola, or in guests’ rooms. Other amenities include a spa by ESPA, yoga lessons, badminton, boat rides, cooking classes with one of the property’s chefs and much more.

Nestled along the beautiful Lake Pichola, The Oberoi is designed after the majestic Indian palaces of yore that litter the Mewar region: grand pavilions and domes, decorated with frescos and adorned with artifacts stun the senses, while top quality service lends a touch of regality to your travels. Many of the 90 rooms, designed to evoke the history and culture of Rajasthan, have terraces that open on to semi-private swimming pools; suites include private swimming pools and outdoor dining pavilions. Dining options include: Chandni, an upscale Indian restaurant; Suryamahal, for European, Mediterranean and Thai dishes; and Udaimahal, a dining experience approximating the opulence of maharajas. The Udaivilas has a business center, an excellent Oberoi spa, two pools and a sports complex. The hotel is a 40-minute drive from Dabok Airport (UDR).

An 18th-century fort and palace in the village of Delwara, an hour and a half drive from Udaipur’s airport, Devi Garh is centered around five courtyards. Surrounded by lush green fields and mountains on three sides, Devi Garh overlooks Delwara, and is near the temples of Eklingji and Nagda. The palace was recently restored as a hotel, and boasts thirty-nine rooms; all rooms feature complimentary internet, electronic safes, Ipod docks on request, climate control, flat-screen televisions, and room service. The in-house restaurant offers a mix of international and Indian cuisines, and the hotel bar is stocked with a variety of delicious drinks as well as a refined take on chaat, or savory street food. Amenities include a spa run by world-renowned cosmetics company L’Occitane, a business center, a heated swimming pool, and a fully-equipped fitness center.