Luxury hotels in Udaipur: 9 Rajput palaces and forts

RAAS Devigarh occupies an 18th-century Rajput fort perched on a hill in Delwara, about thirty minutes from Udaipur. The restoration made the radical choice of white: marble, plaster and pared-back volumes replace the original frescoes and mirrors, except in a few suites that kept them. The result surprises at first, so sharp is the contrast with the ornament-laden Rajasthani forts, then convinces with the light that crosses the inner courtyards. The infinity pool, carved into the old armoury courtyard, looks directly onto the Aravalli hills with no building on the horizon. The spa and fitness room occupy a separate wing, more intimate than a classic palace spa but consistent with the scale of the place. Count on from 408 € per night, airport shuttle and parking included, a rate that remains reasonable for a privatised fort of this scale. 128 reviews and a score of 9.8/10 confirm attentive service, rare at this distance from the main tourist routes 😌

The Oberoi Udaivilas unfolds in white domes and inner courtyards on the banks of Lake Pichola, in Udaipur. We enter via an avenue lined with fountains, beneath hand-sculpted arches. The score of 9.7/10 from 196 reviews surprises at first glance, but the welcome and the calm of the place explain it quickly. The rooms, very spacious, open onto gardens or the lake, with marble on the floor and dark wood furniture inlaid with Rajasthani motifs. The rate starts at 906 € per night, which places the address among the most expensive palaces in India. The pool, the spa and the fitness room occupy a separate wing, far from any city noise. Here, luxury lies mainly in the silence and the space, more than in an excess of equipment 😌.

Trident Udaipur occupies the shores of Lake Pichola, a few cable lengths from the City Palace, in a building with Rajasthani palace lines, white domes and ornate jalis. The score of 9.4/10 on 766 reviews is no coincidence. The rooms, sober and bright, open onto the lake or onto interior gardens planted with bougainvilleas, with dark wood furniture and discreet Rajasthani fabrics. The outdoor pool, surrounded by local stone, overlooks the Aravalli hills. The spa remains modest compared to establishments of the same standing in Udaipur, but sufficient for a massage after a day of visits. From 123 € per night, it is one of the rare 5-star hotels on the lake at this rate, with free airport shuttle and parking included. The calm of the site, far from the bustle of the bazaar, makes it a restful base for exploring Udaipur 😌

The Taj Lake Palace Udaipur literally floats on Lac Pichola, accessible only by boat from the shore. Built in 1746 by the Maharana Jagat Singh II, the white marble palace seems suspended between sky and water depending on the light of day. One reaches it after a ten-minute crossing, an arrival ceremony that immediately sets the tone for the stay. The 278 reviews we collected praise a service deemed impeccable, with an overall score of 9.4/10. The rate starts at 1 685 € per night, far from insignificant even for an Indian palace. Some rooms, the older ones, retain a busy decoration that will not appeal to all contemporary tastes. The sunset viewed from the inner gardens remains, itself, hard to match elsewhere in the region 😌.

The Leela Palace Udaipur settles directly on the shores of Lake Pichola, at the address that simply bears its name. We stay here for the water, the morning light on the calm surface, and the silence that comes with it. The outdoor pool and the spa occupy a good part of the programme, complemented by a fitness centre for those who do not want to break their routine. The rate climbs quickly, from 819 € per night, which places the address in the upper end of the Indian market. The score of 9.2/10 on 313 Booking reviews confirms a consistent level of service rather than a stroke of luck. Appreciable detail and uncommon at this standing: airport shuttle and parking are free, which avoids the frequent surprise additions in palaces. Family rooms and facilities for disabled people broaden the public without diluting the standing 😌

YAAN Udaipur stretches at the foot of the Aravalli hills, in Kailashpuri, far from the tourist bustle around Lake Pichola. The property scores 9/10 on 37 reviews, a solid mark for a still little-known establishment. We find an outdoor pool, a spa and a restaurant, the essentials for a wellness stay without leaving the premises. Rates start from 123 € a night, an accessible positioning for an Indian 5-star. The airport shuttle, included in the services, simplifies arrival from Udaipur. Family rooms and pet welcome broaden the targeted public, from families to travellers with a dog. We stay cautious on the architectural charm, available data do not detail the interior style, to verify on site. 😌

The Parallel Hotel Udaipur, a member of Radisson Individuals settles on Saheli Marg, in the Pologround district, away from the immediate postcard of Lake Pichola. From 131,63 € per night, the address focuses on a comfort/price ratio that explains its rating of 8.9/10 collected from 369 reviews. We find a spa and a fitness centre on site, two rare amenities at this price level in Udaipur. The hotel's restaurant also provides room service, practical after a day of visits under the Rajasthan heat. Free private parking simplifies arrival by car, the airport shuttle avoids haggling with local taxis. Family rooms and facilities for disabled people broaden the target audience, from business travel to family stays. We remain however on sober factual data, without detail on the style of the rooms or on a signature view, which invites checking the photos before booking.

The Taj Fateh Prakash Palace Udaipur occupies a wing of the City Palace, the historic residence of the maharanas of Mewar on the shores of Lake Pichola. We enter through a white marble courtyard, under sculpted arcades several centuries old. The view from the rooms overlooks the calm waters of the lake and the Aravalli hills in the background. The pool, backed against the palace walls, remains one of the rare places where we can swim with a royal view without leaving the historic precinct. Some rooms remain more sober than the state suites, the grand luxury concentrates mainly in the common areas. The rate starts at 583 € per night, reasonable for sleeping in a palace still linked to the royal family of Mewar. Room service and the spa complete the ensemble, without claiming to rival western palaces on this precise ground. 😌

The Fern Bambora Fort Udaipur settles into an old fort in Rajasthan, in Bambora, far from the crowds around Lake Pichola. We head there for the silence as much as for the price: rooms start at 45,55 € per night, rare for a five-star property. The pool occupies the inner courtyard, surrounded by thick walls that keep the cool even in full heat. The restaurant serves unpretentious cuisine, correct without being a destination in itself. Room service completes the offer for evenings when going out holds no interest. The airport shuttle and private parking simplify arrival in a rural area poorly served by conventional transport. Only 32 reviews to date signal a hotel still little known, with a solid score of 8,6/10 😌.