Lake Palace, Udaipur
 

Has anybody had any recent experience of the Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur?
I've booked a room there for my honeymoon and am hoping it's worth it considering how expensive it is!!

I found it very disappointing in every way. I stayed in other hotels in India which I liked much more.This seemed very commercial to me and not nearly as magical as all the hype. We moved out after two days into a small haveli which at 10% of the price was, in my opinion, much more charming.

On a trip to udaipur in Dec 2002 we stayed at Udai Vilas but went to the Lake Palace. I had stayed there earlier in the 90s and was shocked at how run down it has become. If youor budget does nto extend to udai Vilas I would look at other properties on www.heritagehotels.com as I agree with Gloria re lake Palace. having said that opinions re the hotel on this forum are very mixed and others have really enjoyed it.

NOTE: just returned from india, and udaipur last week, even after monsoon season, the lake (around the lake palace) is basically DRIED UP!!! so it kinda ruins the romance, Udai Villas, looked awesome!

Meptravel is right - it should be called Field Palace at the moment. There's only a bit of water at the back between the City Palace and the hotel. Didn't go to the Lake Palace so cannnot comment but can heartily recommend Udaivilas.

I just returned from India. Stayed at Udaivillas which was gorgeous. I WALKED across the lake bed to see the Lake Place hotel. (You used to be able to take a boat from Udaivillas to the Lake Palace Hotel.) 90% of the lake has dried up - severe drought for last few years has caused the problem.

Is Udaipur still worth visiting with the lakes dried up? We are traveling to Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. We are spending one night in Deogarh.

Udaipur is still a charming city, and there is enough water in the lake for the boats across to the hotel to keep running.... it's just that at the moment they have to be very careful about the exact route they take! I think I'd agree, however, that with nothing but dried-up field around it, the hotel doesn't represent value for money. There are lots of other pleasant little places in the old city whose charm doesn't depend on the water.

Agree with Alan. This is a beautiful place, but with the lake so low, it's not as nice. I was also bothered by package tour groups tromping through to get to the buffet, but I'm just a snob. I would look at Udai Villas.

udaipur is def. a place to still visit, and charming on its own rite w/out the lake, as is jaipur and jaiselmer!

How utterly sad to hear about the Lake Palace. We were there 5 years ago and thought it to be quite magical. I just can't imagine how awful it would be to see the hotel sitting out there surrounded by mud flats rather than a lovely lake. Kipling said that it was " to die for " Let's hope that day will come again.

Anyway, Udaipur is still a great place to visit.