The Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

by Luxury Hotels Luxury Hotels

The Taj Lake Palace is one of the most famous tourist palaces in Udaipur. The best luxury hotel in Udaipur, it is not just a place to stay, but also an unforgettable experience in itself.

One of the most romantic places in India, the Udaipur Lake Palace is situated amidst the scenic Pichola Lake, offering heavenly views to everyone who ventures there. The soaring palaces on one side of the Lake Palace and the imposing Aravalli Hills on the other provide the perfect backdrop.

Constructed in 1746 by Maharana Jai Singh II, it is raised in white marble. It stretches across a four-acre island and often looks like it is just floating on the surface of the sparkling Pichola Lake. The original name of the palace was Jag Niwas, named after the Maharana. However, it is popularly known as the Lake Palace and is one of the most famous tourist places in Udaipur. Jag Nivas was constructed in order to give royalty a reprieve from the summer heat. In the later years, this summer resort was used by the descendants of the Maharana.

The breathtaking architecture of the place will send shivers down your spine. Terraces, lush gardens, beautiful fountains, open-air courtyards, lotus ponds, and a small pool shaded by mango trees. The rooms in this luxury hotel in Udaipur are decked with luxurious breezy silks and carved furniture. Though most of the rooms overlook the lake, some rooms also overlook the lily pond, where the lilies are in bloom for most of the year. The suites are filled with murals, and will make you feel like a Maharaja or a Maharani.

The rooms and suites are named after the Maharajas and Maharanis wh stayed here decades ago. Names like Bada Mahal, Khush Mahal, Phool Mahal and Ajjan Niwas add a poetic touch to these suites. All of the rooms in the Lake Palace contain paintings, stained glass work, crystal work, carved arches, and inlaid stones depicting pink and green lotus leaves. All the rooms come with the provision of a butler service, who will see to it that your every need is fulfilled. Each room also comes equipped with a flat-screen TV.

Apart from offering panoramic views of the lake, the Lake Palace also offers views of the City Palace, Aravalli and Machla Magra Hills, and Jag Mandir. The Taj Lake Palace Hotel also offers guided heritage walks, astrology sessions, and cultural shows for a truly local experience. The heritage walks offer information and delves deep into the history and details of the Palace. Leisure facilities include a hot/cold spa pool and a 24-hour fitness centre.

Neel Kamal is the dinner-only fine-dining restaurant that serves the authentic flavours of the local cuisine of the city, along with other Indian delights. European cuisines can be enjoyed at the rooftop restaurant, Bhairo. The all-day dining restaurant, Jharokha, overlook the Lake Pichola. A fine collection of cigars, sheeshas, and wines can be found at the Amrit Sagar Bar. Wherever you decide to dine, the menus are handcrafted and the setting is ethereal.

Access to the hotel is by boat. The jetty is provided by the Taj Lake Palace Hotel in the City Palace gardens. A glimpse of the place is enough to enthral you. So, pack your bags and visit one of the most romantic palaces in the world.