10 Best Hotels
Udaipur spreads around Lake Pichola, where the City Palace rises above the waterfront and white island palaces catch the evening light. Narrow old-city lanes lead to Jagdish Temple, shops and lakeside havelis. Beyond them are the gardens of Saheliyon Ki Bari, the craft village of Shilpgram and the Aravalli hills. Stay by the lake for easy sightseeing, or choose a countryside hotel for more space, allowing for transport into town.
The Oberoi Udaivilas
Haridasji Ki Magri, Lake Pichola, India
Domes, garden courtyards and long colonnades give Udaivilas the scale of a palace, with Lake Pichola alongside. The useful distinction is between the garden-facing rooms and categories that open directly onto a semi-private pool. A pool terrace is worth considering if afternoons at the hotel matter as much as sightseeing. Private-pool suites, a spa and daily yoga extend the appeal for longer stays, while the setting makes an arrival by the hotel's boat particularly memorable.
Pool terraces and polished service
Taj Lake Palace
Jag Niwas island, Lake Pichola, India
Reached by boat, this eighteenth-century white-marble palace puts the lake between you and Udaipur's busy streets. Courtyards, decorative stonework and richly furnished rooms preserve its sense of occasion. Choose a lake-facing category if the prospect of the City Palace or surrounding hills is central to your stay. There is a pool and J Wellness Circle spa, while the palace's restaurants are reserved for resident guests. Neel Kamal's regional cooking is a compelling reason to stay in for dinner.
An authentic island palace
The Leela Palace Udaipur
Lake Pichola waterfront, Udaipur, India
The Leela faces Lake Pichola with an elaborate façade of domes and projecting balconies, best appreciated on arrival by boat. Inside, silver detailing and traditional mirrorwork carry the palace theme into a contemporary hotel. Accommodation ranges from garden-view rooms to lake-view balconies and the more secluded Arq villas. Sheesh Mahal offers Indian dinners outdoors above the water. It is a strong choice for couples who want the city's architectural drama close at hand, with space to retreat afterwards.
Lake views and villa privacy
Raffles Udaipur
Udaisagar Lake, east of Udaipur, India
Raffles occupies a private island on Udaisagar Lake, with ornamental gardens and an imposing country-house design. The island accommodation includes rooms and suites overlooking the grounds and water, with private gardens or pools in selected categories. Sawai Kitchen explores Rajasthan's royal culinary traditions, and the Writers Bar provides a handsome setting for drinks or afternoon tea. Check your booking carefully: Raffles also offers a separate Lakeshore retreat, which delivers a different experience from staying on the island.
A spacious island retreat
RAAS Devigarh
Delwara, north of Udaipur, India
Above Delwara village, this eighteenth-century palace pairs its weathered exterior with remarkably restrained marble interiors. The suites vary in layout and outlook, from garden patios to elevated views of the Aravalli Hills. Courtyards, a pool and wellness treatments encourage a slower stay, with the village and nearby temples offering reasons to venture out. Devigarh works particularly well after several busy days in Udaipur; it is a countryside base that requires transport for visits to the city.
Historic architecture with modern interiors
Bujera Fort
Bujera village, west of Udaipur, India
Bujera looks historic, but this small fort-style hotel is a modern creation built with traditional craftsmanship and salvaged doors and windows. A courtyard pool, planted gardens, a library and a drawing room with a grand piano give it a distinctly domestic character. Rooms have no televisions, and the property does not offer room service. Choose it for quiet reading, shared meals and a village setting, with excursions into Udaipur arranged around a slower rhythm at the hotel.
A small country-house atmosphere
Fairmont Udaipur Palace
Seesarma, Aravalli Hills, India
This substantial hillside resort interprets Rajput palace architecture on a grand scale, with domes, marble decoration and a central courtyard arranged around pools and social spaces. Rooms and suites offer several ways to enjoy the setting, including categories with balconies or plunge pools. The spa and recreation facilities make it easy to spend a full day here. Its extensive event spaces suit celebrations particularly well, so ask about weddings during your dates if you are planning a quiet escape.
Celebrations and a full resort programme
Taj Fateh Prakash Palace
City Palace complex, Lake Pichola, India
Within the City Palace complex, Fateh Prakash offers a particularly direct connection to Udaipur's royal history. Portraits, period furniture and traditional window niches shape the interiors, while the eastern shore setting gives broad views across Lake Pichola. The accommodation includes restored rooms and suites, and terraces provide places to linger over the water. Choose it chiefly for the historic surroundings and proximity to the palace, checking the exact room layout and outlook rather than assuming every category is identical.
Staying within the palace complex
Manuscript Jhilwara Haveli
Bhatiyani Chohatta, Udaipur Old City, India
Set beside the eastern side of the City Palace, Manuscript combines a restored haveli with calm contemporary rooms and an inviting courtyard. Its pale interiors and uncluttered furnishings offer a welcome pause from the surrounding lanes. Upstairs, a pool and dining spaces look towards the palace; this is a palace-facing stay rather than a lakeside resort. The location rewards walking through the Old City, although the stepped approach makes it important to discuss access needs before booking.
Design and old-city exploration
Taj Aravali Resort & Spa
Bujra–Kodiyat countryside, west of Udaipur, India
Taj Aravali spreads across a hilly landscape outside Udaipur, combining contemporary rooms, suites and tented accommodation with regional design details. Its appeal extends beyond the room: the resort advertises squash, badminton, a golf simulator, a cinema and children's facilities, alongside the J Wellness Circle spa. Several dining options reduce the need to travel for every meal. It suits a family holiday that mixes city visits with substantial downtime, especially when different generations want different activities during the day.
Active family stays in the hills