A palace set within a 200-year-old hunting ground of the Maharana of Mewar, with a 20-acre wildlife sanctuary on one side and the sparkling Lake Pichola on the other – The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur is what dreams are made of. The city of Udaipur with its lakeside palaces, forts, temples and bustling bazaars is one of the most popular cities for visitors in India today and The Oberoi Udaivilas is a reflection of that history with all the conveniences of a 21st century luxury hotel.
Voted as the ‘World’s Best Hotel’ and ‘Best Resort in Asia’ for the fifth consecutive year by Travel + Leisure, USA, World’s Best Awards 2015, the luxurious property is spread over 50 acres and features picturesque courtyards and walkways, gentle rippling fountains, reflecting pools and verdant gardens. The hotel offers spacious guestrooms and suites that open to private terraces and swimming pools on one side and views of Lake Pichola on the other. Our suite pick of the week is The Kohinoor Suite with Private Pool at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur.
Fit for a King or Queen, the 2,650-square-foot Kohinoor Suite comes decked in fine arts and textiles and a 20-m private pool in all its glorious exclusivity. As you walk past the heavy patri-work brass doors, guests are greeted with light from the chandelier that dances off the thekri (mosaics made of mirrors), immediately giving you a sense of calm and tranquility, only to be heightened by the gentle flow of the water from fountain at the entrance passage. The Suite, with views over Lake Pichola and the Aravalli Hills offers two bedrooms and a living room, private 22m outdoor heated pool, a garden terrace and patio with a dining and relaxation pavilion.
The master bedroom features a handcrafted, wooden two-poster king-size bed, hand- knotted carpets and carefully chosen paintings, while the second bedroom offers twin beds. A dressing room with a chest of drawers in dark wood and mirrored closets leads you into the stunning white marble bathroom that looks onto a private walled garden. The bathroom features twin vanity counters, a free-standing bathtub and a steam shower stall.
The Living room of the suite is divided into the sitting and dining area where a daybed awaits you by a bay window. Two working fireplaces, coffee table books, fine crystal chandeliers and exquisite works of Indian arts complete the decadent interiors of the Kohinoor Suite. The Suite also has a well-appointed service pantry and 24-hour in-room dining, concierge and personal butler service.
If you choose to venture out of your suite for your meals, the hotel offers three stunning restaurants decked in Mewar architecture – Suryamahal for some International cuisine, Udaimahal -an Indian specialty restaurant and Chandni alfresco dining serving traditional Rajasthani, North Indian and International cuisine. There is also the The Bar, a cozy venue for that evening drink. The hotel can also arrange for several unique ‘Oberoi Experiences’ that include a Lunch on the Lake Pichola or a romantic Lakeside dinner or even a historical tour of Udaipur city.
To continue your rest and relaxation, there is also the magnificent outdoor swimming pool and the luxurious Oberoi Spa and Fitness Centre that offers rejuvenating spa therapies and private yoga, meditation and Paranayam sessions with the hotel’s in-house Yogacharya. Spread over two floors, the Spa offers eight therapy suites ideally suited for couples with two massage beds, a steam room, a freestanding bathtub as well as stellar views of Lake Pichola, the City Palace and beyond. There are also separate treatment rooms for manicure and pedicure and a Spa Pool overlooking the Lake and the Aravalli mountain range. The state-of-the-art facility also includes separate changing rooms for men and women, each with a steam room and chilled water shower cubicle, a gymnasium and hair salon.
Cost: $11,163 ( INR 7,50,000)
Size: 2,650 square feet
Occupancy: 4
Why should you splurge on it?
For visitors looking to experience a traditional and magnificent Indian palace, there couldn’t be a better choice than The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur. Rich in history and architecture, the hotel’s layout featuring domes and corridors reflects the layout of the city of Udaipur – whose seven lakes are linked by canals. Swamped in history and luxury, a stay at the hotel is truly magical.
Address: The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Haridasji Ki Magri, Udaipur, 313001,
Rajasthan, India
Phone: 0294 243 3300
Web: The Oberoi Udaivilas
