India - udaipur luxury

I am mid 40's and enjoy luxury hotels with some modern style ie not historic style.

I have reservations for the Taj Palace Udaipur - the photos make the hotel look old fashioned, historic styled....would I be right?

How does it compare to the Oberoi?

Hi there, I've just got back from Udaipur and stayed in the Lake Palace and Devi Garh, about half an hour out of Udaipur city. Lake Palace is worth seeing, the gardens are beautiful and the rooftop terrace has a sensational view, but you are right, the rooms are plush but very traditional and better suited to the tastes of the...er.....more senior traveller. Food was average and overpriced.

I loved Devi Garh which is in an old fort. It had the most amazing nooks and crannies, a fabulous restaurant and martini bar overlooking the Aravelli Hills. Rooms were stunning, each different and very modern but with traditional accents. It also has a really lovely little shop selling traditional crafts and textiles - I know hotel shops are overpriced but this was a very nice edit of pieces. Even if you don't stay here (and it is out of town) it's worth coming for dinner one night and seeing if they can show you around the property, it's really very interesting.

I didn't stay at the Oberoi property although I did see it from a boat, and stayed in the Amarvilas at Agra. it looks a little like Disneyland India, but if anything like Amarvilas will have excellent service, rooms luxurious but curiously lacking personality.

Hope this helps!

Riya, I don't know if it helped the OP but it sure helped me. Just the info I needed in considering the Udaipur segment of an upcoming India journey. Thanks very much.

Riya, I don't know if it helped the OP but it sure helped me. Just the info I needed in considering the Udaipur segment of an upcoming India journey. Thanks very much.

My pleasure! I hope you enjoy your trip.

I have stayed at Udaivilas--the year it opened, I believe it was 2003--and eaten some meals at the Taj Palace. I would skip the Taj if I were you and book yourself at Udaivilas (or Devi Garh if you don't mind being so far out of town--I have not stayed there but have heard great things about it from friends who have).

The Taj, like many "mature" Taj properties, shows its age and is living off its long-ago reputation and former status as the only luxury game in town. The Taj group in general, in my opinion, has severely underinvested in their properties over the years. I am forced to stay in Taj hotels frequently for conferences, and it's almost never a good experience. I have no problem with historic hotels, or even 30-year-old hotels, as long as they are kept up to date--which Taj routinely fails to do.

When I stayed at Udaivilas I was blown away by how stunning it was. I did not feel any "lack of personality" in the rooms--they were huge, beautifully furnished, and extremely comfortable. The entire property was just gorgeous and the staff were great. To this day I count it as one of the top three hotels I have ever stayed in.

I have stayed at Udaivilas--the year it opened, I believe it was 2003--and eaten some meals at the Taj Palace. I would skip the Taj if I were you and book yourself at Udaivilas
.

considering the recent refurbishment at the Lake Palace, do you think your experience from 2003 is still valid?

as an aside - if speaking of Taj properties in general, my experience at Jai Mahal in Jaipur and in Kumarakom is completely opposite of yours. Both were lovely properties in top condition and with good service. not luxury, but i was not disappointed and had a very enjoyable stay.

considering the recent refurbishment at the Lake Palace, do you think your experience from 2003 is still valid?Possibly not, although having stayed in "refurbished" rooms at other Taj hotels in recent years (including the Taj Mahal in Mumbai and the Taj Palace in Delhi), I would not be ready to give them the benefit of the doubt.

as an aside - if speaking of Taj properties in general, my experience at Jai Mahal in Jaipur and in Kumarakom is completely opposite of yours. Both were lovely properties in top condition and with good service. not luxury, but i was not disappointed and had a very enjoyable stay.Good. I have not stayed in either of those and cannot comment on them. I am commenting on the Taj hotels I have been in (about 8 of them throughout India, if I remember rightly), and the overall impression has not been favorable.

i love the lake palace....it is one of my favourite properties....but another great hotel is the sheraton udaipur palace resort & spa....this place has been around for a while but recently joined the spg family....

any more opinions on devi garh? with the recent deal in the hotel deals forum, i am thinking of a trip with the extended family.