Udaipur’s old city is small, and the lake is the organising feature, so the choice comes down to three kinds of stay: a haveli in the lanes, a palace hotel on or beside the water, or a resort with grounds. For a first visit, any of them works, so match the base to your budget and the kind of trip. Here are the areas, with our pick in each.
Lal Ghat and the old city: the best all-round base
The lanes beside Lake Pichola put the City Palace, the Jagdish Temple, Bagore Ki Haveli and the ghats on foot, with rooftop restaurants and shops all around. Jagat Niwas Palace on Lal Ghat is our mid-range pick: a heritage haveli the property lists as built around 1700, with lake-facing rooms, a rooftop terrace, a restaurant and bar, and walking times of one minute to the lake and about five to Bagore Ki Haveli and the Jagdish Temple. For the best budget value in the same lane, Jaiwana Haveli on Lalghat has a rooftop restaurant, free WiFi and parking and a lake one minute away. Expect narrow lanes, some street noise and a walk to the car, so travel light.
On the water: for a once-in-a-lifetime night
Taj Lake Palace is the splurge. It sits on its own island in Lake Pichola, in a palace built between 1743 and 1746 and a hotel since 1963, with 65 rooms and 18 suites, an outdoor pool with Jacuzzis, a spa and three restaurants. Guests arrive by a short boat transfer from the City Palace jetty. It suits honeymoons and anniversaries, and the view back to the City Palace is the point.
Lakeside resorts: for space, pools and families
The Oberoi Udaivilas, on about 30 acres on the lake bank opposite the City Palace, is the other luxury option, with private-pool suites, two main pools, a spa and five dining venues, and a private boat across the lake. The Trident Udaipur is the more affordable resort pick: 28 acres on the lake, an outdoor pool facing the hills, a kids’ club and a spa, with the City Palace about an eight-minute drive away. Both are calm and green, but you will need a short ride for the old city in the evening.
Matching base to trip
For couples and a special occasion, the Taj Lake Palace or The Oberoi Udaivilas. For families, the Trident for its pool and kids’ club. For the best location and atmosphere at a moderate price, Jagat Niwas Palace. For the lowest price in the old city, Jaiwana Haveli.
Practical tips
November and December are the busiest months, and the Diwali week around 8 November 2026 pushes prices and occupancy up, so book early. Compare rates with and without breakfast, since buffets at the larger hotels are often charged separately. Ask lake-view hotels which rooms face the water and which face the lane. Airport transfers are paid at most of these properties, so compare with a taxi or app cab. Allow about 40 to 70 minutes between the airport and the city, depending on where you are staying.
