Udai Bilas Palace

Rooms

Every room and suite has been magnificently decorated in a uniquely opulent style, and the attention to detail is astonishing. The wallpaper, upholstery, tiling, rugs, bed linen - even the bathroom fittings - have been carefully selected by the royal family to give each room a distinctive feel. Little touches are everywhere: cosy alcoves, heart shapes carved into teak bedheads, cut-glass crystal bowls, even mirrored floors. On occasion, the clashing heritage fabrics can be overwhelming, but remain true to their 1940s origins. The palace has many hidden charms - from a Grand Suite featuring its own pooja (prayer room) to the tiny blue-patterned single room with its own staircase down to the lavish gardens.

The Maharawal Suite was the Maharajah’s private residence and is accordingly regal. With its roof terrace, Art Deco ensuite bathroom, writing room, four-poster bed, exquisite mirrored inlay-work, red velvet daybed, lounge area and fabulous views, romantic couples will want for nothing here.

All rooms are ensuite and the bathrooms are vintage works of art. Claw-foot tubs with showers and imported English fittings complement Moroccan tiles, Art Deco mirrors and herbal toiletries in beautiful cut-glass bottles. Bedroom doors don't have locks, but padlocks are available on demand and security is high throughout.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Minibar/fridge

Eating

Meals are served in Zenana Chowk - the elaborate, open-air banquet hall that incorporates a towering 17th-century temple. Its vast marble table features an illuminated water pool running through its centre - eating here is one of the highlights of Udai Bilas Palace.

Meals are a changeable buffet of predominately Indian food, mildly spiced to suit Western palates. Expect the likes of chicken handi sula (a Rajasthani curry), chicken tikka, akhni pulao (a fragrant rice dish with almonds, pistachios, golden sultanas and fresh spices) and traditional desserts such as gulab jamun. Chinese, vegetarian and continental dishes can also be requested, as can candlelit dinners by the lakeside for a special occasion (at an extra cost). Beware the price of wine with your meal - as elsewhere in India, half-decent wine is extortionate.

Those here for long stays may find the buffet a little repetitive and if there’s a limited number of guests, you feel vastly outnumbered by staff in the grand hall.

Breakfast is a standard affair of breads, fresh orange juice and cooked eggs. Poolside, a simple lunch can be taken in one of the many swing-seats or loungers. The tasty, light fare includes pakoras, sandwiches, toasties, lime juice sodas and cold beers. The hotel can also provide picnics.

Features include:

• Minibar/fridge
• Restaurant

Activities

• A visit to the family’s Old Palace or Juna Mahal (15 minutes away by jeep, and a World Monument) is a must. The 13th-century building - one of the oldest palaces in the world - has 7 stories, stunning frescoes, turrets and endless narrow passageways. It’s highly likely that you’ll have the place all to yourself, with plenty of time to explore the secrets of this ancient wonder, including the hidden miniatures depicting the kama sutra
  
• Motoring enthusiasts can view the family's collection of vintage cars, housed in a huge garage called Dungarpur Mews
  
• Swim in the infinity pool, laze in the adjoining Jacuzzi, have a game of tennis on the palace's grass courts or visit the miniature aviary and admire the family peacocks and emus
  
• Visit Dungarpur, the stronghold of the Bheels tribe. Borrow a bicycle and pedal through the colourful little hamlets in and around the town, past temples and through the palace’s private reserve forest nearby
  
• Take a day trip: choose from the 8th-century temple ruins of Arthuna, the magnificent 12th-century temple of Deo Somnath, the 14th-century temple of Rishabdeo (with its gem studded statues) or the white marble Muslim shrine at Galiakot. Tours can all be booked in-house
  
• Take a sunset boat ride on the lake. Bird lovers will be twitching with joy - you'll see egrets, night and pond herons, white-necked and painted storks, coots and winter ducks, as the surrounding wetlands are a mecca for these birds. Binoculars are available
  
• Or if you're feeling adventurous, head into the forest with a guide and keep your eyes peeled for grey hornbill, peafowl, paradise catchers, cranes and golden-backed woodpeckers. If you're more into animals, take a Jeep tour to Navlakha Game Reserve to see blue bull nilghai, the biggest antelope in India, as well as jackals and jungle cats
  
• Once night falls, gather by the lake for outdoor drinks and a crucible fire

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Wildlife

Kids

Children are greeted warmly here, as in most of India. Extra beds and baby cots are available and many suites feature adjoining rooms which are perfect for older children. They’re wonderfully designed too - one has pretty rose wallpaper and a matching bedspread.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Udai Bilas Palace is situated on the bank of Gaibsagar Lake in Dungarpur, a picturesque town set amongst the Aravalli hills in southern Rajasthan. It's 120km from Udaipur.

By Air
Udaipur (120km or 2 hours away) or Ahmedabad (175km or 3 hours away) are the nearest airports. They're both served by domestic flights from Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay), India's main international gateways - click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
The hotel offers a transfer service - see Rates for details.

By Bus or Train
There are daily trains and buses from Udaipur to Dungarpur. The hotel will arrange for someone to meet you at the train/bus station.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Rajasthan and getting around