The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur

It was amazing time spent in the resort with so much warm hospitality from each and everyone Special mention to Mr Brij Mohan who took very good care of my kids during dinner and breakfast

Returning to The Oberoi Udaivilas after nearly twenty years is a reminder of why this property remains one of India’s most celebrated hotels. Time has treated it well. The architecture remains timeless and the vegetation, now fully matured, has grown lush and enveloping, giving the property an even more serene and palace-like atmosphere than before. What stands out most is the extraordinary attention to detail. Wherever one looks — courtyards, fountains, colonnades, pools, or terraces framed by bougainvillea — there is a sense of careful composition and beauty. During both the day and the evening the property reveals itself in layers of symmetry, reflection and light. For anyone interested in photography, it is the kind of place where you will find yourself constantly reaching for your camera. The spa and gym — well stocked with modern Technogym equipment and overlooking a carefully manicured lawn — have clearly benefited from upgrades over the years and are now among the highlights of the hotel. The spa pool, overlooking Lake Pichola, is simply marvelous and one of the most tranquil corners of the property. Children are generally not allowed in this particular area. Instead, the hotel thoughtfully places the main pool on the first floor within a courtyard space, conveniently accessible from the rooms overlooking it, which makes it particularly practical for families. While the pool itself does not offer lake views, the design has a clear advantage: it naturally concentrates families with young children in one area, itself also located near the kids’ club, allowing the rest of the property — particularly the gardens, lakeside terraces, and courtyards — to remain remarkably peaceful. The spa itself is beautifully designed and worth spending time in. My wife opted for one of the bespoke 90-minute massage treatments, and the experience deserves special mention. The treatment rooms are spacious, private and thoughtfully arranged — each with its own changing room, full bathroom and generous massage area. The treatment lasted the full ninety minutes without shortcuts, the therapist was excellent, and the calming background music — unusually tasteful for a spa — was so pleasant my wife was almost tempted to Shazam it afterwards. The spa may not be enormous, but its serene setting and meticulous attention to detail make it the kind of place one happily returns to. Breakfast has evolved somewhat over the years. The offering remains abundant, though the buffet now appears slightly more oriented toward domestic tastes. A small but telling example: chia pudding is prepared with milk rather than coconut or almond milk, which has become the standard in many international luxury hotels. In India, however, cow milk remains central to many culinary traditions, and that influence is clearly reflected in the breakfast spread. One practical tip: always check the wedding calendar. Since COVID, India’s grand wedding tradition has grown even larger, with entire hotels often booked for several days. We were unlucky enough to arrive when the neighboring property hosted a wedding. Although our hotel was not reserved for the event, the music carried across the lake late into the night, interrupting what is normally the hallmark tranquility of Udaivilas. When the hotel offered to move us rooms in the middle of the night, we opted instead for earplugs — relocating in pajamas was not an attractive alternative. The following morning, however, the hotel demonstrated why Oberoi’s reputation for service is so well earned. The General Manager personally apologized for the disturbance, despite the noise originating outside the property, and generously placed our stay on the house while upgrading us to a suite. It was a class act — and a reminder of the power of genuine hospitality. The suite itself was very comfortable, even if some elements now feel a little dated: a private plunge pool reached by a staircase directly from the bedroom, a canopied dining table with views of the lake, an indoor living and dining area, and a generous master bathroom with a shower that doubles as a hammam. Bougainvillea cascaded across the terraces, adding to the remarkable sense of tranquility. Having spent nearly three years living with my family in a large terrace suite at one of Dubai’s most luxurious hotels — we have had our fair share of suite experiences, and this one more than holds its own. At Udaivilas room choice matters. If one does not splurge on a suite — or is not fortunate enough to be upgraded — the best rooms are 104–118 (even numbers only). These are closer to the spa, more open, and overlook a long elegant plunge pool with Lake Pichola in the background. They also benefit from shade after lunchtime, keeping temperatures pleasant while still allowing ample sunlight throughout the morning and early afternoon. Another thoughtful detail is the hotel’s gratuity policy. The staff do not accept tips directly. As the hotel does not levy a service charge, guests who wish to leave gratuities are invited to place them in a sealed envelope at the front desk upon checkout. It is a subtle policy that removes awkwardness and keeps service interactions natural and unintrusive. In our case, the envelope — deservedly — did not remain empty. The hotel’s complimentary boat ride across Lake Pichola to the old city is another highlight and a must for visitors wishing to explore the magnificent City Palace, Udaipur or browse the well-known Ganesh Emporium. We also booked dinner at the legendary Taj Lake Palace, one of the world’s most photographed hotels and famously featured in Octopussy, the James Bond film series installment starring Roger Moore. The hotel requires a minimum spend of around INR 12,000 per person to book a dinner there, but the experience — beginning with drinks on the rooftop terrace overlooking the illuminated City Palace, Udaipur and followed by dinner pieds dans l’eau — makes the experience well worth it. Yet upon returning to Udaivilas afterwards, one is reminded of a simple truth: the Lake Palace is wonderful to visit, but Udaivilas is the place to stay. A comeback destination without hesitation — and for first-time travelers to India, quite simply a must.

A gr8 place to stay. It is a remarkable property. BFast needs improvement as it is slow and orders couldn't meet our taste buds. My wife went to be unsatisfied with the orders placed in Bfast. The host is very busy in their jobs, you can only fetch a smile if somehow you get an eye contact with them. Personal attention is not seen as we watched in Oberoi Amarvilas, Oberoi Delhi and other brands as well. Guests are sidelined after checkin. House keeping and In room dine are the one who really focus on your needs and they communicate with you. Rest i could hear a word from GM only when i was checking out. So my experience was okey kind of and the same okey, i heard from my brother and sister-in-law who stayed in 2018 and 2023 respectively. There were few who communicated well with us such as Prachi (H-Keeping), Singchuila (At Dinner & Bfast) and Mayra (At Check-in). I appreciate them. The dinner options for vegetarian can be elaborated. We had only few options to choose from. Rest my stay went to be cool, comfortable and within 2 of us. Thank u Oberoi for it.

Nothing more we could have asked for! Flawless experience with the most amazing staff! Biggest thank you to Hotel Manager Graham & his entire team!

Amazing experience staying here!