Butler service, lakeside dining, lavish spa, and unique cocktails.
Arrival Limited, Raffles Udaipur Lakeshore, Plot No 1, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313024, India Get directions
"Listed among the top-tier accommodations on the itinerary, this luxury property is presented as one of the premium stays during the India leg of the journey." - Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who contributes to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A palatial lakeside resort reached by a zero-emission boat to a private island in Udai Sagar Lake, where grand architecture and interiors feature hand-painted murals up to 16 feet tall, manicured gardens home to dozens of bird species, and a lavish spa. The 101 lake-view rooms showcase marble inlay and intricate woodwork, and the on-site Sawai Kitchen highlights regional heirloom recipes such as masaledaar bharwan kachhe tamatar and dhungaar murgh for guests eager to explore local Rajasthani flavors." - Jennifer Flowers
"A long-awaited luxury hotel that opened during the pandemic and is credited with helping restore international interest in the city and boosting its standing with returning travelers." - Maya Kachroo-Levine Maya Kachroo-Levine Maya Kachroo-Levine is the digital senior editor at Travel + Leisure. She covers hotels, destinations (focusing on Europe, Asia, California, and Mexico), food and drink, cruises, and luxury aviation. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Arriving by zero-emission boat to a private island on Udai Sagar Lake sets the tone for an opulent, restful stay rooted in regional craft: grand architecture and interiors include 16-foot-tall hand-painted murals, manicured gardens that host about 30 bird species, and a lavish spa, while 101 marble-accented lake-view rooms feature intricate woodwork. Culinary highlights at the main restaurant teach regional heirloom recipes, with dishes such as masaledaar bharwan kachhe tamatar (green tomato in Rajasthani spices) and dhungaar murgh (country chicken cooked with whole spices)." - Jennifer Flowers
"A palatial Rajasthani-rooted retreat set on a 21-acre private island in Udai Sagar Lake, offering 360-degree lake views and arrival via a boat dock and zero-emissions electric launch with a traditional “khamma ghani” greeting. Grand architecture and interiors feature large-scale columns, 16-foot hand-painted murals, a muted palette that frames the surrounding water and hills, and manicured gardens that attract some 30 bird species; amenities include a 3,500-volume library, chandeliered Ayurveda-inspired spa that uses handcrafted local oil blends, and 101 spacious rooms and suites—twelve rooms and six suites include private plunge pools and cabanas—finished with black-and-white marble inlays and hand-painted bathroom murals. Dining is a highlight: a lakeside restaurant serves meals under the stars with live music and Rajasthani dancers and regional heirloom dishes such as masaledaar bharwan kachhe tamatar and dhungaar murg h; there is also a 12-seat chef’s table (Rasoi), a farm-to-table restaurant sourcing from the island’s organic farm, a patisserie, a Writer’s Bar that hosts afternoon high tea, and a Long Bar offering custom cocktails, small plates, and cigars; the breakfast spread includes pyaaz kachori and a rotating selection from across India (Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu), sometimes accompanied by a live wooden flute. Service is discreet and highly personalized—each guest has a dedicated butler, private check-in/out is available, and staff (25% from the local area) anticipate guest preferences and add thoughtful touches for families. The recently built property is fully wheelchair accessible with a fully equipped accessible room, and it pursues sustainability through an on-site water bottling plant, a hydroponic garden that supplies the kitchen, zero-emissions transport, upcycled cocktail garnishes, and efforts to eliminate single-use plastics." - Sarika Bansal
