I would also encourage u to dump Lake Palace in favour of Udai Vilas _ if you are getting a better rate at Udai Vilas than Lake Palacve (which seems odd - is it a suite at Lake Palace vs a normal rom at Udai Vilas?) then there is no contest IMO. BTW, u get the lake experience at Udai Vilas also as your first transfer to the hotel is via lake and should you choose you can go to and fro by boat - the option is yours.

On both my trips I did a mixture of Oberoi properties and Heritage Hotels. I would definitely recommend staying in at least one Heritage Hotel. There's always the risk of "surprises," but you'll find the experience of staying in an authentic palace as rewarding in its own way as staying at one of the Oberoi properties. And if you don't like it, hey, it's only one night of your life.

I assume you'll be staying at the Amarvilas in Agra. If you want to go Oberoi, that's the one you definitely have to go to. Can't beat the views of the Taj Mahal.