Taj Lake Palace
Udaipur

Taj Lake Palace is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Hotels in Rajasthan, Top 10 Romantic Retreats and Top 10 Venues for a Wedding or Party.

A 273-year-old white marble palace, floating like a mirage in the centre of the serene and glassy Lake Pichola… Enchanting, iconic and with a fantastic sense of location, the Taj Lake Palace is possibly India’s most romantic hotel, and one of our favourites in Rajasthan. For those who are only in Udaipur for a short time then this is exactly where you need to be - it is the cherry on the cake for a tailor-made itinerary to Udaipur.

Full of history, the Lake Palace was built in 1746 by the young prince of Udaipur, Maharana Jagat Singh II, and was used as a summer retreat and his pleasure palace after he was caught frolicking with ladies of the ‘zenana’ (private chambers of the court). Restored to its former glory, this spectacular palace became world famous when the James Bond film, Octopussy, was used as the secluded lair of the film’s eponymous Bond Girl.

The hotel comprises of 65 luxurious rooms and 18 grand suites (33 luxury rooms, 32 palace rooms, three historical suites, four royal suites, ten grand royal suites and one grand royal presidential suite) and its spectacular location on an island in the centre of the lake, affords every room breathtaking views of the neighbouring City Palace, Aravalli Hills, Machla Magra Hills and Jag Mandir. Welcoming guests just off the lobby is a gorgeous games and reading area where multi-generational guests can be found playing each other at chess. 

Dining at the Lake Palace is an extraordinarily special and romantic experience, and guests can choose between three restaurants: Jharokha is an informal all-day restaurant serving cuisine from around the world. Neel Kamal, overlooking the picturesque lily pond, is a fine dining option which opens for dinner, and has a vibrant assortment of Rajasthani and North western frontier cuisine. Bhairo is a breathtaking rooftop restaurant with scintillating views of the beautifully lit Palace of the King of Mewar and the sparkling waters of Lake Pichola. It offers contemporary western cuisine and is only open for dinner. Amrit Sagar is the bar and lounge, offering a fantastic wine selection, fine single malts and cigars. For those who wish to relax in the privacy of their own room, 24-hour in-room dining is also available to all guests, as well as private dining options. For the ultimate show-stopping dinner package an evening on the royal barge Gangaur, equipped with seven rowers, private dance performers and your own private chef, is an unforgettable experience.

The hotel also has a fitness centre and a Jiva spa which offers carefully curated treatments inspired by the ancient wellness heritage of India. The spa boat is an exclusive experience unlike any other and is something we highly recommend! There is one outdoor swimming pool which is heated in winter and flanked at either end by two covered jacuzzies, and the most ‘Instagrammed’ part of the hotel. Although relatively small, the pool terrace has lovely views of the City Palace and is home to a 273 year old mango tree, which continually bears fruit!

The Taj Lake Palace is conveniently located just 26 kilometres (or a 45-minute drive) from the airport. Udaipur is the perfect spot to either begin or end a tailor-made tour to Rajasthan.

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus