We are visiting Udaipur at New Year's this year and would appreciate your feedback. Currently we are booked at the Lake Palace, but I have read from some of you on the boards that the Udaivilas is a better choice...Any thoughts on which might be more memorable for our once in a lifetime New year's trip.

Thank you all for your time and your help!

If budget is not a consideration DEF Udai Vilas. I was there for 2 nights in dec 2002 and it is one of the best hotels I have been to. Conde Nast Traveler rated Udai Vilas as one of the best new properties to open ww in 2002. We went to Lake Palace for a meal (I had stayed there earlier about 5 years ago) and I was disappointed at how run down it had become - I regretted leaving udai Vilas for even the 1 meal. For a once in a lifetime trip hands down Udai Vilas wins.

This would be a hard decision for me. The Lake Palace has oodles of charm and romance; sitting on their rooftop terrace looking out over the lake at sunset is really magical, and just seeing the hotel from the shore as it floats on the lake is beautiful. Taking the boat over from the shore is part of the charm. However, I agree it is a bit rundown, or was the last time I was there about 3 years ago. The Udai Villas was not built then, but I have stayed at their property in Jaipur and loved it. I am assuming the price difference is pretty great between the two. I would suggest you find out what type of room you have at the Lake Palace and post back here for further comments. Perhaps the best lakefront with balcony room/suite at the Lake Palace would be such a bargain that it would be worth it. If you are prepared for a little run-down appearance, the charm of the location may make up for it. It is also very easy to get into town from here, but I believe the Udai Villas are a bit outside of town.

What other hotels are you staying at in India? If you are going to other Oberoi/Vilas properties, then perhaps you would want a change for Udaipur. Conversely, maybe you could splurge at the Rajvilas in Jaipur or Amarvilas in Agra (for the best Taj view) and then stay at the Lake Palace as a compromise. There is nothing in Jaipur or Agra close to the quality and charm of the Vilas resorts; but the Lake Palace is truly unique and part of the charm of Udaipur, IMO.

Udai Vilas is on the other side of the same lake which Lake Palace is in the middle of - so distance from the city is almost the same. Udai Vilas can be reached by boat or by road unlike Lake Palace which the last segment has to be by boat as it is in the center of the lake. Re charm of getting there by boat Udai Vilas ensures your first trip to the hotel you approach by boat to get the complete ambience. As a matter of fact if you are doing jaipur too i can suggest alternatives to raj vilas - samode palace and samode haveli are both very highly rated. also, in jodhpur aman resorts has recently taken over umaid bhawan if you are thinking of that.

Thank you everybody for your advice. We are staying at the following hotels throughout the trip
Delhi-Imperial
Agra-Amarvilas
Udaipur-Lake Palace
Jaipur-Rajvilas
Ranthambhore-Vanyavilas

The prices of the Lake Palace's better rooms are about the same as the Udaivilas. We are staying at the Oberoi throughout, so it might be worth trying the Lake Palace for a change of pace. Although I don't want to pay this much for a run down hotel. I would rather feel that I am getting a nice place for the money. This is a once in a lifetime trip for my husband and I. I really appreciate all of the feeback....

delhi and agra u have booked the best. U could consider the foll alternatives to vilas properties - udaipur - devi garh fort palace - only place i would stay other than udai vilas esp at the same price (would not even consider lake palace at the same/similar price), a boutique hotel, charming. jaipur - already mentioned. ranthambore - sher bagh. have heard people say it is even better than vanya vilas. mentioned to someone on the site. if u do not stay at the vilas property consider going there for lunch. they are very open to showing u around and at least u will get a feel for the place. all the hotels i mentioned are on the web somewhere so u can take a look at pics then decide.