Originally Posted by LHR/MEL/Europe FF

Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace - excellent - stayed there in 2008 and it is amazing. As advertised, peacocks roaming around the grounds came and joined us at breakfast (at the price of the accommodation I would expect them to be stapled to the terrace!!)

Lake Palace Udaipur - also stayed there 2008 and truly amazing. We had a lake view room overlooking the city palace - beautiful at night.

However - I have also stayed at the Devi Garh (2007 and 2008) - and for sheer size and grandeur (aside from the Umaid Bhawan Palace) it can't be beat! If you possibly can - why not consider staying a night there?

While the Lake Palace is everything (and sometimes more) than you read - three days can be a long time there. While it's a pain to have to pack and move, it is a long journey out to the Devi Garh, and if you're there you might as well stay.

While it says it is a 45 minute drive I have done several times (5 or 6) and it is a lot more than 45 mins... and the last part of the road is a bit bumpy.

If you stayed at the Devui Garh the last night you can then drive straight from there to the airport for you onward connection.

Flights within India - we flew Air India (Indian Airlines) between Del and Jodhpur, and between Jodhpur and Udaipur. On the Delhi Jodhpur sector you can buy business class and it is worth the extra to avoid all the queues at the airport and to have a lounge (nothing fancy but beats the main waiting room - and you get priority through security).

Why Air India? Well delays can be common and so can the odd flight cancellation. With some other carriers if a flight is cancelled you might have to wait until much much later to make the connection (perhaps even the next day). This would be a waste of beautiful accommodation.

The first flight we did Del to Udaipur was on time - no problems. The second it was delayed 3 hours. However, the Air India rep told us the flight would never be cancelled as Air India has such a huge fleet they will always bring another plane from 'somewhere' to operate the flight.

While the service may not be the same as Jet or Kingfisher, the peace of mind that you'd eventually get to your destination on the day was well worth it.