The Best Hotels Near Raffles Udaipur, by the Record
-
A 21-acre private island on Udai Sagar Lake, ringed by the Aravalli Hills and pointed squarely at Udaipur's historic palace skyline. This 137-room resort leans into Rajasthan's Indo-Saracenic architecture, all domed pavilions and carved stone colonnades, with lakeside suites that open onto the water. The Raffles Butler program means someone is quietly solving problems you haven't had yet, from breakfast by the shore to Ayurvedic spa arrangements.
-
The hotel sits on a marble island in the middle of Lake Pichola, which means the boat is your check-in desk. Built as a royal summer retreat and later commandeered by both the Taj group and a Bond film crew, this is a full-service luxury hotel where old-world opulence and central air conditioning coexist without apology. Rooms facing the courtyard lily pond are lovely; those facing the lake are better. The Michelin Guide awarded it 3 Keys.
-
Set on 30 acres of gardens along Lake Pichola, The Oberoi Udaivilas is a luxury resort built to look like it was always a palace. Landscape architect Bill Bensley designed the grounds, threading them with courtyards, fountains, and reflective pools that mirror the city's own floating geometry. Many rooms open onto private terraces or infinity pools overlooking the lake. The restaurants draw on centuries-old Rajasthani recipes, which is either romantic or a very long wine list, depending on your mood.
-
A boutique hotel in a haveli that has been, at various points, a royal residence, a school, and a poultry farm, which tells you something about the neighborhood's range. Taro Studio stripped out the expected jewel-box Rajasthani palette and replaced it with white, grey, and sage, with splashes of lake-blue or terracotta in the rooms. The rooftop restaurant looks directly at the City Palace.
-
An 18th-century Rajasthani palace where the original stone facade gives way to all-white marble suites inlaid with malachite and lapis lazuli, a contrast so deliberate it feels like a provocation. This Michelin Key luxury resort sits between Udaipur and the Jain temples of Eklingji, with a spa, heated pool, and a restaurant mixing Indian and European traditions. Minimalist is a stretch when the floors are solid marble, but nobody seems to mind.
-
Some guests sleep in glass cubes on a forested hillside, waking to 360-degree views of the Aravali mountains. This modern resort takes the opposite path from Udaipur's famous floating palace, trading ornate grandeur for clean lines, high-tech rooms, and 27 acres of quiet. Luxury tents, suites, and cottages feed into the Jiva spa and several restaurants, including an all-vegetarian signature dining room. The city is minutes away, but it feels considerably farther.