We’ve put a lot of castle hotels on this site, but Taj Lake Palace still stands out as one of the most extraordinary properties we’ve come across. It’s set on a tiny island in the middle of Lake Pichola, and you can’t get here by car. All guests arrive in style by boat. The luxe arrival is fitting, given this is a true former palace made for royalty. And now you get to experience one of India’s most luxurious hotels for yourself. If you’re looking for one of the most unusual luxury hotels in India, this one is difficult to beat. In this Taj Lake Palace review, we break down the location, price, how to book, arrival instructions, and other information you need to make this one of the best hotel stays of your life.
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What Is Taj Lake Palace?
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, is a luxury hotel located in the middle of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, Rajasthan. It was constructed in the 1700s but was converted into a hotel in 1963. Today, the property has 65 rooms and 18 suites, all within the historic palace. The palace’s white marble exterior, courtyards, gardens, fountains, jharokhas, and intricate decorative details are what make it feel truly luxe even when viewing it from Udaipur’s waterfront.
Plus, for all of our movie buffs out there, you get to live out your 007 dreams with a stay here. Taj Lake Palace was famously featured in the James Bond film Octopussy.
Arriving at Taj Lake Palace
Guests generally reach the hotel from the City Palace complex, where they transfer to a hotel boat for the short journey across Lake Pichola. The private boat transfer takes about five minutes, making it a breeze to get to and from the city area. The contrast is part of the fun. One minute you’re exploring the busy streets and historic sights of Udaipur. A few minutes later, you’re crossing the lake towards your new grand home during your trip.
The hotel can also arrange transportation from Maharana Pratap Airport, which is approximately 40-50 minutes away by car.
Standard check-in is 2 p.m., and check-out is noon.
Taj Lake Palace Rooms
There are 83 accommodations in total: 65 rooms and 18 suites. Room categories range from more compact luxury rooms to expansive suites designed around the property’s royal heritage. You can expect traditional Indian design elements, marble, ornate details, rich fabrics, and views that take advantage of the palace’s extraordinary location.
We’re always honest about when upgrading to a higher room category is really worth it. Here, we think getting a lake-view room is entirely worth the upgrade. The location of this palace hotel on the lake is the major selling point, so getting a room with a view feels like the way to go if it’s within your budget. The property’s garden-view rooms don’t give you the same sense of being surrounded by Lake Pichola, which is arguably the entire point of staying here.
For a special occasion, the suites take the experience considerably further, with larger living spaces and more elaborate historic details. The hotel also offers butler service and a selection of suites designed around different aspects of the palace’s royal history.
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Dining at Taj Lake Palace
You don’t need to leave the island to have a memorable meal. In fact, the food at Taj Lake Palace is of exceptional quality. The palace currently has three restaurants and one bar, giving guests several options without having to take the boat back to Udaipur.
One thing to know is that the hotel’s dining experiences are geared toward resident guests, which adds to the property’s secluded feel and exclusivity.
Neel Kamal
Neel Kamal focuses on Rajasthani and Indian cuisine and is one of the property’s signature dining experiences. This is the on-site restaurant to visit if you want to get dressed up and lean into the palace experience.
Bhairo
For something more contemporary, Bhairo offers European fine dining in a rooftop setting. This is our favorite restaurant at the hotel for taking in the views.
Jharokha
Jharokha is the property’s multi-cuisine restaurant and provides an all-day dining option. This is the best restaurant at Taj Lake Palace for when you want something more casual or convenient without leaving the palace.
Amrit Sagar
Amrit Sagar is the hotel’s bar and lounge. We recommend this spot for when you want a light bite along with a drink.
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Things to Do at Taj Lake Palace
One of our favorite parts about this hotel is its Wellness Circle. We love leaning into the feeling of whatever hotel we’re staying at, and we want to feel pampered when staying at a place made for royalty! The Wellness Circle offers Indian and international spa treatments, including Ayurvedic-inspired therapies.
Aside from the spa, Taj Lake Palace isn’t the type of resort where you’ll find dozens of activities designed to keep you busy all day. The main attraction is the palace itself. Spend time exploring the courtyards, marble corridors, gardens, and architectural details. Sit by the lake. Watch the boats crossing Lake Pichola. Take in the views of Udaipur’s City Palace from the water.
For sightseeing, the hotel’s location makes it easy to explore Udaipur’s major attractions, including the City Palace and the historic center of the city. But don’t make the mistake of treating the palace simply as a base for sightseeing. The reason to pay the premium to stay here is to actually experience the palace.
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What to Know Before Booking Taj Lake Palace
Taj Lake Palace Price
Taj Lake Palace is a true splurge, with rates varying significantly by room type, season, and dates. Standard rooms can be considerably more affordable than the palace’s suites, while the most luxurious suites can cost thousands of dollars per night; for example, the Grand Royal Suite has recently been listed from around £2,885 per night. Taj Lake Palace room rates are dynamic, so it’s worth checking current availability before booking, especially since Taj frequently offers member and advance-purchase rates.
Y0u can check the latest prices here.
Enjoying Taj Lake Palace Hotel
Don’t expect a traditional resort. The appeal is history, atmosphere, architecture, dining, and relaxation rather than a huge list of activities. Plan time to enjoy the hotel. If you’re only going to spend your days exploring Udaipur and return to the palace late at night, you’re missing a significant part of what you’re paying for.
Is Taj Lake Palace Worth It?
If you’re looking for the cheapest luxury hotel in Udaipur, no. But if you’re looking for a hotel that you’ll remember for years, yes, 100%.
Taj Lake Palace is expensive compared with many other places to stay in Udaipur, but you’re paying for much more than a room. You’re paying for the history, the location, the boat arrival, the architecture, and the experience of waking up inside a former royal palace surrounded by an Indian lake. Especially if you value high-class service, it’s tough to beat Taj Lake Palace. The option to utilize their butler service can make this a truly exclusive and luxe-feeling vacation.
The biggest reason to splurge is the setting. For a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, or once-in-a-lifetime trip through India, this is exactly the kind of hotel that can justify spending more for one or two nights.
For travelers who want a hotel that is itself the destination, this is one of India’s best hotels. Being essentially your own private island provides you with a sense of seclusion and relaxation you won’t get elsewhere.
Looking for more unusual places to stay? Check out our Explore and Book page for more memorable stays around the world.
