Raffles Udaipur
Udaipur, India
Vibe
Zero-emission boats glide across Udai Sagar Lake, delivering guests to a private island estate framed by the surrounding Aravalli Hills.
“Private island keep”
Dedicated private butlers orchestrate every stay, from secluded boat arrivals to custom lakeside dining setups.
A 21-acre island campus offering private lake cruises, archery, tennis, lawn games, and extensive ornamental gardens.
Palladian architecture blended with classical Mewari motifs, hand-painted floral murals, and intricate bone-inlay furnishings.
On a private 21-acre island in Udai Sagar Lake, reached exclusively by boat.
“the entry hall, with its soaring columns and marble floors, is nothing short of regal — as is the service, which is as devoted as you might expect”
Rooms
Rooms feature black-and-white marble inlay cabinetry and freestanding soaking tubs, while select suites open to private plunge pools overlooking the lake.
“At Raffles Udaipur, that legacy is reinterpreted through Rajasthan’s Indo-Saracenic architectural details: domed pavilions, carved stone colonnades and thoughtfully curated artworks.”
Wellness
The expansive spa offers Ayurvedic therapies and bespoke herbal oils, complemented by daily sunrise yoga in the garden and a lakeside pool.
“It’s an interesting aesthetic that, to be honest, takes a little getting used to.”
Backstory
Opened in 2021 as the brand's Indian debut, the island estate fuses European Palladian symmetry with classical Mewari motifs and ornamental gardens.
“Grand architecture and interiors await, including large-scale columns, 16-foot-tall hand-painted murals, and manicured gardens that are home to 30 bird species.”
Eat & drink
Sawai Kitchen revives royal Rajput recipes, while the Long Bar serves regional twists on the Singapore Sling alongside tapas and curated spirits.
The neighborhood
Set on Udai Sagar Lake twenty minutes east of the city, the grounds offer quiet nature walks and flamingo spotting along the shore.
More like this
The Oberoi Udaivilas
“Lakeside Mewari citadel”
Secluded
The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.