A Palace Across Lake Pichola

Udaipur is a city where the setting does much of the work. Lake Pichola reflects palaces, temples and the surrounding Aravalli Hills, while the old city rises behind the water in a dense collection of rooftops, courtyards and narrow streets.

The Oberoi Udaivilas occupies a very different position on the lake.

Set along the banks of Lake Pichola, the resort faces toward Udaipur’s historic skyline rather than sitting directly within it. Domes, courtyards, gardens, pools and long covered walkways create the impression of an established Rajasthani palace, although the hotel itself is comparatively young. The resort can be reached by road or, more memorably, by a short private boat ride across the lake.

For us, that separation is central to the appeal. A day can be spent exploring City Palace, temples, markets and the streets of Udaipur before returning to a resort that feels considerably quieter.

The property is substantial, but the experience rarely feels like that of a conventional large hotel. Accommodation is distributed through gardens and courtyards, water appears throughout the architecture, and several room categories open directly onto pools.

The result is a property that can serve both as a base for understanding Udaipur and as a destination that justifies leaving parts of the itinerary deliberately empty.

From Royal Hunting Ground to Modern Palace

The land beneath Udaivilas carries a history considerably older than the hotel itself.

The resort was built on former royal hunting grounds associated with the rulers of Mewar, while the hotel itself opened in 2002 as a purpose-built resort designed to evoke the architectural traditions of Rajasthan rather than reproduce one specific historic palace.

That distinction matters.

Udaivilas is not a converted royal residence. Instead, it was conceived from the beginning as a contemporary hotel informed by Mewar’s palaces, gardens and ceremonial architecture.

Its setting provided an unusually strong starting point. Across Lake Pichola are some of Udaipur’s most recognizable landmarks, while the surrounding landscape creates a natural transition between city, water and the Aravalli Hills.

Architects Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri were responsible for a design that interpreted traditional Mewari architecture through a contemporary hospitality setting.

The result has aged particularly well because the hotel was never designed around a short-lived decorative trend. Its identity depends instead on courtyards, proportion, water, stone and the relationship between interior and landscape.

Domes, Courtyards and the Architecture of Mewar

Udaivilas is designed to reveal itself gradually.

Rather than entering a single enormous building, guests move through interconnected domes, corridors, courtyards and gardens. Reflecting pools and fountains repeatedly interrupt the architecture, while framed openings draw attention back toward Lake Pichola and the surrounding landscape.

The architecture takes cues from Rajasthan without attempting to function as a literal historical recreation.

Traditional arches, carved details, domed pavilions and symmetrical water features establish a clear regional identity. Inside, Mewar-inspired patterns, natural tones and vivid accents keep the rooms connected to the broader visual language of the property. Oberoi describes the guestrooms and suites as combining a natural palette with traditional Rajasthani patterns and views toward gardens, Lake Pichola, City Palace and the surrounding hills.

Water is particularly important.

Some rooms connect directly to long semi-private pools, while suites have their own private swimming pools. Elsewhere, water appears as fountains and reflecting surfaces, softening what could otherwise feel like monumental architecture.

For us, one of the most successful aspects of Udaivilas is the way views are controlled. Lake Pichola and City Palace do not appear continuously. Instead, they emerge through terraces, windows, courtyards and openings, giving the property a sense of progression as guests move through it.

Choosing Between Gardens, Pools and Palace Views

The accommodation collection is relatively focused, which makes choosing a category less complicated than at many large resorts. The most important distinctions are the view, access to a semi-private pool and whether a completely private pool is essential.

Current categories include:

Premier Room: Approximately 60 square meters, with garden views, a cushioned bay window and a marble bathroom overlooking a private courtyard.
Premier Room with Pool View: Approximately 60 square meters, positioned toward the main swimming pool and surrounding gardens.
Premier Garden View Room with Semi-Private Pool: Approximately 60 square meters, with a private terrace opening directly onto a long semi-private pool and garden views.
Premier City Palace View Room with Semi-Private Pool: Approximately 60 square meters, pairing direct pool access with views across Lake Pichola toward City Palace.
Luxury Suite with Private Pool: Approximately 116 square meters, with a king bedroom, separate living and dining areas, private terrace and a 10-meter private pool overlooking the Aravalli Hills, Lake Pichola and City Palace.
Kohinoor Suite with Private Pool: Approximately 246 square meters, with king and twin bedrooms, substantial living and dining areas and a 20-meter private pool overlooking the lake, palace and hills.

We would choose primarily by how much time the guest expects to spend at the resort.

For travelers planning full days of sightseeing, a Premier Room may already provide enough space and atmosphere. For a slower stay, direct pool access changes the rhythm of the day considerably. The private-pool suites make the strongest case for travelers who want the hotel itself to occupy a larger part of the itinerary.

From Mewar to Dinner Beside the Lake

Dining at Udaivilas is concentrated into a small collection of distinct venues rather than spread across an oversized restaurant portfolio.

Suryamahal and Chandni: The principal all-day dining experience, pairing indoor international dining at Suryamahal with seasonal open-air dining at Chandni beside lake and palace views.
Mewar by Vineet: An Indian dinner restaurant inspired by the communities and culinary traditions of the historic Mewar kingdom, interpreted through a contemporary fine-dining lens.
The Bar: A relaxed indoor setting framed by traditional arches and garden and lake views, serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the afternoon and evening.
The Promenade: A resident-only lakeside evening venue for sundowners, grilled dishes and views toward Udaipur’s old city across Lake Pichola.

For us, the location is as important as the menu here.

An evening at Chandni or The Promenade places the lights of Udaipur directly into the dining experience, while Mewar by Vineet makes more sense when the meal itself is intended to be one of the focal points of the evening.

Private dining is also an important part of the property, with lakeside and poolside settings making particularly good use of the views after sunset.

A Slower Rhythm at Asmi by Oberoi

Wellness at Udaivilas is organized around Asmi by Oberoi, the brand’s holistic approach built around movement, nutrition, bodywork, breathwork and mindfulness.

Treatments range from massages and body therapies to facials and longer signature rituals, while yoga and breathing practices can be incorporated into the stay.

The setting makes it particularly easy to build wellness into a day without turning the trip into a formal retreat.

The property has two temperature-controlled swimming pools with Mughal-inspired design elements. The main pool is available to all guests, while the spa pool is reserved for adults. A fitness center provides cardiovascular and weight-training equipment with garden views.

We would avoid over-scheduling spa appointments here. A morning yoga session, one longer treatment and time beside the pool generally make more sense than filling every afternoon with structured wellness.

Udaivilas already encourages a slower pace naturally.

Lake Pichola and the City Beyond the Gates

The strongest experiences combine time at the resort with time in Udaipur itself.

A boat journey across Lake Pichola is one of the most natural ways to understand the relationship between Udaivilas and the city. From the water, City Palace, the island palaces and the surrounding hills can be read as parts of the same landscape rather than separate landmarks.

The hotel also offers a collection of cultural experiences that may include miniature painting, pottery, henna painting, cooking sessions, astrology, yoga and heritage-focused activities.

City Palace should still form part of a first visit to Udaipur, but the city is best experienced with some breathing room. Jagdish Temple, local markets, the lakefront and smaller streets and courtyards reward time outside a vehicle.

For us, the best itinerary alternates rather than concentrates.

One morning in the city, one afternoon at the resort and an evening overlooking Lake Pichola is often a better rhythm than trying to cover every major sight in succession.

Palace Days for Families

Udaivilas can work particularly well for families, especially when accommodation is selected carefully.

Oberoi’s child policy allows families to share certain room categories with younger children, while larger accommodations and suites provide more space for longer stays or multigenerational travel.

The family programming is more developed than the formal palace setting might initially suggest.

Children’s activities can include magic lessons, traditional block printing, pottery, puppet shows and treasure hunts, while the wider resort experience naturally lends itself to pools, gardens and cultural activities.

For families, that flexibility matters more than trying to fill every hour.

We would keep the schedule relatively light: one cultural activity, time at the pool, one outing into Udaipur and enough unstructured time to enjoy the property itself.

Preserving the Landscape Behind the Palace

Sustainability at Udaivilas is best understood through the wider operational philosophy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and through the property’s relationship with its landscape.

The resort occupies a large lakeside site where gardens, water use and long-term maintenance inevitably form part of the environmental story. Oberoi’s sustainability framework emphasizes areas such as water conservation, resource efficiency, waste reduction and responsible operations across its portfolio.

At Udaivilas, the landscape is also part of the guest experience rather than decorative background. The grounds support birdlife and substantial greenery, and the property’s overall design depends heavily on water, courtyards and gardens remaining carefully maintained over time.

For travelers interested in sustainability, we would view the property less through a single certification and more through the question of how a resort of this scale manages water, landscaping, energy and long-term site stewardship in a region where those issues matter.

Planning for Comfortable Access

Travelers with mobility, sensory or other accessibility requirements should discuss their needs with the hotel before confirming a particular room category.

Udaivilas is a large property spread across landscaped grounds, courtyards and interconnected buildings. That scale makes the exact location of a room important for guests who prefer shorter walking distances or need step-free routes.

Public information does not provide enough detailed accessibility specifications for us to confidently describe exact bathroom layouts, doorway widths, transfer space or every step-free route.

We would therefore confirm the precise room setup, shower and bath access, distance from the room to restaurants and spa facilities, and any required mobility assistance directly with the hotel before booking.

Airport transfers and vehicle requirements should also be arranged in advance so that the complete arrival experience is planned around the traveler.

Across Rajasthan to Lake Pichola

The Oberoi Udaivilas is located on Lake Pichola in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

By Air – Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR): Udaipur’s airport is approximately 27 kilometers from the resort, with the drive generally taking around 45 minutes depending on traffic.
By Private Transfer: We would generally arrange a private hotel or pre-booked transfer in advance, particularly for first-time visitors arriving with luggage or after a longer international journey.
By Boat: Depending on the arrival arrangement, the final approach to Udaivilas can include a short private boat ride across Lake Pichola, creating a particularly memorable first view of the property.
By Rail: Udaipur is connected by rail with other major Indian cities, with onward private transfer from Udaipur City Railway Station to the resort.
As Part of a Rajasthan Itinerary: Udaipur combines naturally with Jaipur, Jodhpur and other destinations across Rajasthan, although road distances can be substantial and should be treated as part of the itinerary rather than simple short transfers.

For an international arrival, we would normally keep the first afternoon relatively open.

The transition from airport to lake, followed by the first view of Udaipur across the water, is enough of an introduction without immediately adding sightseeing.

A Palace Designed for Staying In

The Oberoi Udaivilas succeeds because the property and destination remain closely linked.

The architecture borrows from Mewar without pretending to be an original royal palace. Lake Pichola is present throughout the stay. City Palace sits across the water, while courtyards, gardens, domes and pools create a quieter interpretation of Udaipur’s architectural language.

There are many ways to structure a stay.

One day might begin with breakfast overlooking the gardens, continue across the lake for sightseeing and return for dinner at Mewar by Vineet. Another could involve almost nothing beyond yoga, a swim, lunch, a spa treatment and an evening beside the water.

For us, that flexibility is the reason Udaivilas remains especially compelling.

Udaipur already provides architecture, history and visual drama in abundance. The hotel does not need to compete with it. Instead, it creates enough distance from the city to make returning each afternoon feel like a change of pace, while keeping Lake Pichola and the skyline constantly within reach.

The result is not simply a palace-style resort beside Udaipur.

It is one of the places from which the city makes the most sense.

LEARN MORE

Udaipur, India | The Oberoi Udaivilas