"Why book? If you want to get away to the countryside, and yet have all the creature comforts you’re leaving behind, book a stay at Raffles Udaipur. Read: Good food, great cocktails, and a fantastic spa, all backed by excellent service. Set the scene Set on a 21-acre island that’s a birder’s paradise, this Raffles outpost is designed to look and feel like you’re in an English country estate. (Albeit, with a Rajasthani heart.) In keeping with that, the vibe’s all about taking it easy: long breakfasts over multiple cups of French press coffee, reading by the pool in the shade of a cabana, spa visits, high tea taken in a room filled with books, and, if you so wish, a game of croquet, golf, or cricket in the green expanse that surrounds the property. While you’re busy with all this, the hotel staff will engage the little ones in numerous activities—which should explain why the property is particularly popular with multi-generational Indian families. The backstory About nine miles from Udaipur city, on Udai Sagar Lake and surrounded by the Aravalli Range, this is South Asia’s first Raffles. While it’s quite different in character compared to the Singapore icon that birthed the brand, you can certainly expect that same high degree of intuitive service. The GM formerly headed up Soneva Fushi in the Maldives and brings that experience to bear…on everything. Having said that, the resort opened in the midst of the pandemic, so the structural finishing is a little rough around the edges. But it does have good bones to build on. The rooms The 101 rooms and suites start at about 670 square-feet (larger than many Mumbai apartments), and depending on the category, come with a private garden and pool, or both. Sticking to the “world traveler” theme, the decor is a mashup of Greco-Roman mural work and Mughal paintings, wainscoting and furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl, exposed metal chandeliers and Venetian cut-glass mirrors. And don’t forget: There are standalone bathtubs in all rooms. It’s an interesting aesthetic that, to be honest, takes a little getting used to. If you’re a) a sucker for views and b) a fan of peace and quiet, you should book a room on an upper floor, facing the south. They may not have pools, but you’ll have views of the lake, its avian population (including flamingos that are the hotel’s unofficial mascot), and the hills folding away into the distance. Plus, you’ll be insulated from the cacophony of Indian weddings, which the hotel is a popular venue for. Food and drink The Raffles signatures are all there: the Raffles Patisserie, Writers Bar (with over 30,000 books), and Long Bar. The Long Bar’s location-specific Sling cocktail—the Udaipur Sling—definitely gives a sense of space with a cilantro extract and homemade bitter that mimics the taste of laal maas, a spicy lamb dish that’s easily the state’s most famous. But if you want something truly special, go off-menu and ask resident mixologist Bhavya Verma to make you a cocktail. He’ll shake and stir up a drink to match any mood and palate. On the food side, Raffles Udaipur does an interesting Indian menu at Sawai Kitchen, the Indian specialty restaurant. The concept is to showcase dishes that were prepared by warriors on the battlefield, because, well, you’re in Rajasthan (the state has a strong martial history). One example is a hearty soup called hare chane ka nichod, a vitamin- and protein-rich broth that uses a winter legume as its base. Then there are breads made using foraged greens, which soldiers used to bake in the trenches. The hotel is also growing its own veggies, which are on display when you walk around the property. In due course, this produce will form the basis of its yet-to-open Harvest restaurant. The spa The nearly 12,000-square-foot spa offers Ayurveda and aromatherapy-centric treatments with products from Australian brand Subtle Energies. The all-natural, cruelty-free products use ingredients like Kashmiri lavender, 24-karat gold, crushed pearls, neem, and wild turmeric. I particularly loved the de-stressor massage—the staff was well-trained, asked all the right questions, and left me with an overall feeling of wellness when I left. The service The thoughtful service across the board is the main reason I would return. Your butler, for instance, is just out of view yet always within earshot. Whether it's building activity-based itineraries for kids (and there’s an exhaustive list), making bookings at restaurants in the city, or suggesting interest-based trips in the surrounding region, the staff members are constantly on the ball. Eco effort While they’ve banished single-use plastic and grow their own organic veggies, the one noteworthy effort is the use of a battery-operated boat to ferry guests to and from the island. Battery-operated golf carts are also used to drive guests around the vast property. Accessibility Elevators make almost the entire hotel accessible to wheelchair-bound guests. But within rooms, there are no handlebars or additional support that a differently-abled individual may need. Anything left to mention? If you’re interested in birding, remember to bring your binoculars along. There’s an abundance of birdlife on and around the property. Also, Range Rovers are used for airport transfers, which is uncommon for this (or probably any) part of the world. Finally, in 100 words or less, what makes this hotel worthy of Hot List? The first Raffles in South Asia ticks many boxes: It’s family-friendly, surrounded by nature, has great food and drinks, and offers a whole host of activities that will keep you and your tribe busy. Plus, it has the kind of service that warrants repeat visits. Should you feel like making more of your time, Udaipur and its attractions are close at hand." - Prasad Ramamurthy
