Raffles is oh so luxurious, with lush design, regal opulence and some of the best dining options Udaipur has to offer. However, beyond the plush fabrics, Instagram worthy spots and personal plunge pools in some rooms, it’s also a haven of serenity.
Hotel
Boating through the peaceful Udai Sagar Lake, I could practically hear the whispering of the migratory birds that shadow it. First glance; impressive on both sides. This architectural genius spread over 21 acres on a secluded island opens doors to 101 well-appointed rooms and suites that elegantly interlaces European cultural panache with the Mughal style. With guests like Princess and Bollywood star Sara Ali Khan to fashion icons like Aditi Rao Hyderi, Raffles has become a home to those who want to experience an oasis in the heart of Udaipur.
Raffles opens onto a gigantic lobby where a traditional check-in awaits me. As I am seated in the hall amongst plush, chairs, a tray with a minty lemonade is presented as a welcome. From here, the long hall takes me through the Writers Bar and both locals and guests enjoy an afternoon tea. As I walk across the doors, I find, to my joy, acres of impeccably gardened rows of trees and alleys perfect for a stroll. This is just the first taste of the great attention to detail at Raffles. It seems there’s a bit of everything to be experienced here, whether you fancy a dip in your own plunge pool or in the hotel’s outdoor pool in the gardens, there is something for everyone.
Rooms
Checking into the spacious suite, it feels as if I have stepped into a luxurious royal apartment. With patio doors opening up to the gardens, the plunge pool and the placid hills immediately catch my attention, and stepping back into the room, the separate living room feels ever so cosy.
It’s hard to not be drawn to the luxurious bathroom, with a soaking tub set with the amenities for a soothing soak. Double vanity, a walk-in closet and a steam shower completes the room, making it feel stylish yet comfortable. Guestrooms have uninterrupted lake views, private gardens, balconies, plunge pools and an east-west design pictorial with frescoes, handcrafted furniture and other arts by local artisans.
Food and drink
With six food and beverage options, all with their own style, there is plenty to choose from. One dinner at Sawai Kitchen will redefine how you taste Indian cuisine. It’s a dinner to not forget, with manifold courses discovering cuisine from the land of the kings.
Sawai Kitchen has its own central courtyard, embracing it on three sides so these outer and inner empires unite into one melodious whole. The evening continues, inside the famed long bar known for taking you back in time with classic cocktails and the famed Sling, in this case Udaipur, of course.
Harvest is the hotel’s showpiece, serving a perfect alliance between a cuisine that is light and traditional, or inventive and refined. Lunch and dinner options are available at The Dining Room offering brasserie-style dishes of the likes of grilled fish with lemon butter sauce, Goan fish curry with red rice and more.
To do
From the spice artisan taking you on a journey of understanding Indian spices to the resident Barista and tea Sommelier who acquaints you with the art of coffee making and tea steeping, every experience at Raffles Udaipur is special.
To help you recharge, the spa offers invigorating as well as relaxing treatments. Relax with a Raffles signature massage and a dip in the pool – the perfect way to unwind at the end of a stylish holiday away, I certainly left The Raffles refreshed and renewed!
In a nutshell
A stay at Raffles provides a world of endless exploration. The concierge is fantastic in providing knowledge and tailoring every guest’s time in Udaipur. The experience curators and the outstanding Raffles butlers ensure that you experience an immersive and a luxurious stay.
With unparalleled culinary experiences, largest ballroom in the city, the Raffles Spa, The Writers Bar and Long Bar, you will have a reason to discover the city anew.
Factbox
Room rates start from INR 45,000 plus taxes per night.
Address: Village Teela Kheda, Post Matung, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Phone: +91 294 277 9000
Website: raffles.com
