The Arrival: Boat Rides and First Impressions
Picture pulling up to a hotel by boat, gentle water lapping around you, Lake Pichola opening up—this is how every stay begins at Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur. The ride itself is already its own kind of luxury, separating guests from the rush of city life and delivering you straight into calm. The hotel’s signature launch, decked out in classic elegance, hints right away that this is no ordinary escape.
Regal Design and Luxurious Rooms
Udaivilas is all about old-world royal vibes, but with a keen eye for modern comfort. The architecture blends elements you’d spot in old Mewar palaces—grand domes, decorative arches, even majestic turrets. Designers pulled extensively from Rajasthan’s heritage; you’ll see bronze sun dials in the sprawling courtyards and candlelit walkways that make sunset strolls magical. But it isn’t nostalgia for its own sake. Modern features are everywhere—think high-speed WiFi, luxe marble bathrooms, and cutting-edge cooling systems hidden behind intricate latticework. The hotel stands on multiple levels, which means windows open onto sweeping city or lake views at every turn.
The property isn’t huge by resort standards—87 rooms in total—but eighteen of those offer something hard to find anywhere else in India: semi-private pools that you can slip into straight from your own terrace. Every room, whether poolside or not, comes alive with a fusion of rich textiles, polished stone, and custom artwork that tips a hat to the region’s royal history. Spacious beds draped in crisp cotton guarantee good rest, while the bathrooms spoil with soaking tubs and locally sourced bath products.
Look out from your room and the magic continues beyond four walls. Udaivilas commands some of the best views in town. The famous City Palace, laid out along the lake’s edge, can be seen from many rooms and terraces. Out in the distance, the 17th-century island palaces—Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas (better known as the Lake Palace)—dot the water, gleaming at sunrise and glowing gold at dusk.
One thing that stands out: this isn’t just luxury for show. Local artisans helped revive techniques that would’ve been used centuries ago. From hand-carved pillars to geometric floors and gardens mirroring traditional designs, there’s a feeling of purposeful craftsmanship you can’t fake. The hotel’s landscaping is also carefully done to blend seamlessly into the Rajasthan landscape instead of overpowering it—think native plants, shaded courtyards, and still reflecting pools.
Maybe what truly sets the Oberoi Udaivilas apart isn’t the décor or even the view, but the air of calm that settles over everything. Candles flicker in alcoves at night, birds call from the gardens, and the service—always attentive, never intrusive—lets every guest live out a contemporary royal fantasy, minus the stiff formality.
If you showed up expecting to be pampered in a unique blend of regal tradition and modern ease, Oberoi Udaivilas delivers exactly that—and then some.
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