Taj Lake Palace or Oberoi Udaivilas
 

I have heard several people steer towards the Oberoi, but the Lake Palace looks too cool. Thoughts?

I honestly don’t think you would be unhappy with either. It’s a pleasant dilemma indeed to be faced with. The Lake Palace does have a lot of charm and this is only enhanced by its unique location. The lake level is currently good (better than previous years), making the approach fun and views good as well. They have had a complete redo which brought up their standards (and of course their prices). It’s hard to beat the place for history and the wow factor of the setting. There are little nooks and crannies in this hotel, esp. on the roof, where you can while away time with a book or just your thoughts looking out at the water and the monsoon palace up on the hill in the distance. I have had rooms there which have balconies just a few feet above the water, and really that is magical I must say, and the Oberoi cannot match it. (The lake level is currently too low for this to be the case now, but still views would be quite good.) The Oberoi has very nice grounds, good rooms and great staff; my one issue with it is the location which is outside town, it therefore is not walkable to the old town and there is not anything of note in the neighborhood. If they are running boats across to the old town, then that helps, but I don’t know how often they do that. I was there recently for lunch on a trip and there were no boats running at all it appeared. The Lake Palace would be more convenient from that standpoint, as long as you don’t mind have to take a boat every time you want to leave or come back (to me that’s part of the charm).

Personally, although I generally recommend Oberois over Taj products, I would take the Lake Palace for the experience and the setting. I would go with the Oberois in other places like Agra, possibly Jaipur, possibly Ranthambore, etc.

I must also put in a good word for the Devigarh outside Udaipur. It may be my very favourite hotel in the world, it certainly makes the top three (if it had a white sand beach to go with everything else, it would make the top of the list for sure….). If you have time to spare in the area, I would certainly recommend a few days there. But on a first trip to Udaipur, I can see the attraction of staying in town and on the lake, so I would not say to stay at Devigarh over the Lake Palace.

It is indeed a very difficult question. You must look inwards & go by your own predilections.
The Lake Palace is fine heritage property. The rooms are furnished in the Mewar style. The service is excellant from the time you get to the boat jetty, through your arrival at the landing from whence you are taken to the lobby, under the famous crimson ensign of the princes of Mewar and finally escorted by the staff to your room!
You could make it a little more romantic by having your dinners on the 'Shikara'serviced by the boat!! As I write, the water level,I am told, is about 8 feet.
The Oberois Udai Vilas , on the other hand, is a wonderful property, located on the banks of the lake with charming rooms & all the class of an Oberoi. It has a modern spa & walkways.
Happy Travels!

Cicerone,
That is a perfect post, thanks so much, that really helps with the decision making.

BCD