India Guide
Rajasthan
Accommodation
1 Fateh Prakash Palace City Palace, east of Lake Pichola 
0294/252 8016 
www.hrhindia.com The best location in the city, right in the heart of the City Palace complex, with prices to match. Most of the rooms (from around US$380) have superb lake views, although some are rather small and characterless for the price. Price: Rs5001 and above
2 Gangaur Palace Gangaur Ghat Marg, east of Lake Pichola 0294/242 2303 www.ashokahaveli.com Popular budget hotel in an atmospheric traditional haveli. A wide range of rooms of varying standards (fan and a/c), including some with lake views, though prices for the smarter rooms can be a bit steep – try bargaining. Facilities include in-house palmist, painting lessons and German bakery. Price: Rs201–1500
3 Jagat Niwas 23–25 Lalghat, east of Lake Pichola 0294/242 2860 www.jagatniwaspalace.com Beautifully restored seventeenth-century haveli right on the lakeside, with pleasant a/c rooms (some with lake views) and a good restaurant, serving up well-prepared north Indian standards (mains around Rs100), with nice views over the lake from its comfy window seats and discreet live sitar music. Popular with tour groups. Price: Rs1001 and above
4 
Jaiwana Haveli 14 Lalghat, east of Lake Pichola 0294/241 1103 www.jaiwanahaveli.com Good-value lakeside haveli accommodation with a range of spotless modern rooms; some have a/c, and the more expensive ones have fine lake views, as does the good rooftop restaurant. Price: Rs301–2000
5 Kankarwa Haveli 26 Lalghat, east of Lake Pichola 0294/241 1457, 
khaveli@yahoo.com Romantically restored haveli right on the waterfront. Not quite as pristine as the nearby Jagat Niwas, but more atmospheric and much better value, with colourful, antiquey rooms (all a/c; some with superb lake views). There's also excellent veg food in the low-key rooftop restaurant, with a choice of just two thalis featuring authentic and delicious home-cooked dishes like sweet aubergine and pumpkin curries. Price: Rs501–3000
6 Kumbha Palace 104 Bhatiyani Chohatta, east of Lake Pichola 0294/242 2702 kumbha01@hotmail.com Friendly, Dutch-owned guesthouse hidden under the east walls of City Palace and backed by a bougainvillea-strewn garden. Rooms (a few with a/c) are simple but bright and clean, and the whole place is refreshingly peaceful. Price: Rs201–1000
7 Lake Corner Soni Paying Guest House Lalghat, east of Lake Pichola 0294/252 5712 This simple little guesthouse, run by a charming elderly couple, offers some of the cheapest lodgings in Udaipur. Rooms (some with shared bathroom) are basic but clean and peaceful, and there are fine lake views from the rooftop terrace and some rooms. Price: Under Rs200
8 Lake Palace Lake Pichola 0294/252 8800 www.tajhotels.com One of India's most famous and romantic hotels, sailing in magnificent isolation on its own island amidst the serene waters of Lake Pichola. Accommodation is in a selection of rooms and suites, which range from the merely luxurious to the opulently theatrical, while facilities include a spa, pool, butler service and limousine rental. Non-guests can visit for a pricey lunch (Rs2800) or the four-course à la carte dinner (Rs3375) at what must rank among the world's most romantic restaurants. Call to reserve a table at least a day in advance. Room rates start at $850, though check the website for discounts. Price: Rs5001 and above
9 Lalghat Guest House Lalghat, east of Lake Pichola 0294/252 5301 lalghat@hotmail.com One of the oldest guesthouses in Udaipur, and still going strong thanks to its superb lakeside position and cheapish rates. There's a mix of rooms (all attached, some a/c, and some with lakeside views), plus a nicer-than-average ten-person dorm. Price: Dorm Rs100, rooms Rs301–1500
10 Mewar Haveli 34–35 Lalghat, east of Lake Pichola 0294/252 1140 www.mewarhaveli.com Spotless and well-run modern mid-range hotel in a very central location. Rooms (some with a/c and lake views) are chintzy but comfortable, and there are further lake views from the attractive rooftop restaurant. Price: Rs1001–2000
11 Shiv Niwas City Palace, east of Lake Pichola 0294/252 8016 www.hrhindia.com This upmarket heritage hotel trades on its superb location inside the City Palace complex, with grand public areas, a dreamy pool (non-guests Rs300) and a brand-new spa. The viewless standard ("palace") rooms are disappointingly small and ordinary given the US$325 price tag; suites (from around US$650) are far more memorable, with genuine old-world atmosphere and marvellous lake views. 20% discounts in summer.Price: Rs5001 and above
12 Udai Niwas Gangaur Ghat Marg, east of Lake Pichola 0294/241 4303 www.hoteludainiwas.com Bright modern high-rise hotel with a range of smart rooms in various price categories (the more expensive ones with a/c), although road noise and the periodic outbursts of massively amplified music from the nearby Jagdish Temple mean that it's not particularly peaceful. Price: Rs201–1000
13 Amet Haveli Chand Pol, northwest side of Lake Pichola 0294/243 4009 amethaveli@sify.com This fine old white haveli is one of the best lakefront properties in town. All rooms are beautifully decorated with traditional touches and come with a/c, TV and fine lake views, though you might want to spend a little bit extra to get one of the superb suites, with big windows right over the water. Also home to the excellent Ambrai restaurant. Price: Rs3001-5000
14 Dream Heaven Chand Pol, northwest side of Lake Pichola 0294/243 1038 deep_rg@yahoo.co.uk.A decent alternative to the nearby Panorama, with a good range of clean, cheap and competitively priced rooms; some have superb lake views, as does the rooftop restaurant. Price: Under Rs1000
15 Lake Pichola Hotel Chand Pol, northwest side of Lake Pichola 0294/243 1197, www.lakepicholahotel.com This long-established hotel won't win any design awards but the lakeside location and City Palace views are just about perfect, and prices quite reasonable. Don't bother with the viewless economy rooms, though. All rooms with a/c and TV. Price: Rs1501 and above
16 Panorama Chand Pol, northwest side of Lake Pichola 0294/243 1027 krishna2311@rediffmail.com The best budget hotel in Udaipur, very efficiently run and with cheap, cosy and excellent-value rooms (some with slight lake views; a few with a/c). There's also a nice rooftop restaurant with superb lake views and better-than-average food. Book ahead. Price: Under Rs1000
17 Udai Kothi Chand Pol, northwest side of Lake Pichola 0294/243 2810 www.udaikothi.com Smart and spotless modern hotel in traditional style, with lots of flowery murals and chintzy little architectural touches. Rooms all come with TV, a/c and plenty of slightly twee furnishings; there's also a pool (non-guests Rs300) and a lovely garden. Price: Rs3001 and above
18 Grand Laxmi Vilas Palace Off Fateh Sagar Rd 0294/252 9711 www.thegrandhotels.net . Luxury hotel occupying a nineteenth-century hilltop guesthouse above Fateh Sagar Lake. It's strong on creature comforts, with well-equipped rooms and a huge pool, although a bit lacking in atmosphere compared to the similarly priced hotels in the City Palace. Rooms from US$380, but check the website for special offers. Price: Rs5001 and above
19 Udaivilas 0294/243 3300 www.oberoihotels.com Udaipur's most opulent hotel, occupying a sprawling palace, embellished with acres of marble and a novel "moated pool" which flows around the outside of the main building. Suites come with their own infinity swimming pools and private butler, and the spa is pure indulgence. Rates from around US$700. Price: Rs5001 and above
20 Devi Garh Delwara Village, 25km north of Udaipur 02953/289211 www.deviresorts.com Hidden away in the Aravalli Hills a 40min drive north of Udaipur, this luxury hotel occupies the magnificent seventeenth-century Devi Garh palace, mixing traditional Rajasthani palace opulence with contemporary style to memorable effect. Facilities include a superb spa and a spectacular pool. Rooms from around US$540; 20 percent discounts April– Sept. Price: Rs5001 and above
21 Shikarbadi Goverdhan Vilas, 5km south of Udaipur on the NH-8 0294/258 3201 www.hrhindia.com Former royal hunting lodge with its own pool, lake, deer park and stud farm – less ostentatious (and significantly cheaper) than the palaces in town. Suites in the old 1930s block have more character than the newer a/c rooms. Rooms from around $160. Price: Rs5001 and above
22 Udai Bagh 6km from the city centre. Idyllic retreat in a surprisingly peaceful rural location close to Udaipur. Accommodation is in luxurious permanent tents complete with antique furniture and tiled bathrooms, and there's a big pool and spa (under construction). Rooms from around $160. Price: Rs5001 and above