The Leela Palace Udaipur

The Leela Palace is a luxury hotel housed in a gorgeous palace-style property right on the lake. The exteriors feature a mix of modern, clean lines and traditional Rajasthani embellishments such as jhalis (stone screens) and onion-shaped cupolas. The grounds are beautifully manicured, with a mix of inner and outer courtyards dominated by marble and grass. There are ample shaded areas with palm trees and cushioned bench seating. Interiors feature a similar mix of contemporary and classic, with polished marble floors, wood accents, and plush antique-style sofas and chairs with silk and velvet throw cushions. This property primarily attracts well-heeled Indian and international tourists, as well as some business and wedding guests. 

The Leela Palace Udaipur is located on the northern banks of Lake Pichola, overlooking the Lake Palace. It's about a 10-minute walk to the main tourist hub of Chandpole, home to numerous shops, restaurants, and attractions, including the Jagdish Temple and the sprawling City Palace complex. The railway station takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach by car, while it's a 40-minute drive to Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport (without traffic). Note that guests arrive by ferry and taking the free service is the easiest way to get to and from the city center, but those with an aversion to boats can walk. 

Lake Pichola offers a total of eight suites and 72 Grand Heritage Lake View Rooms measuring 480 square feet (45 square meters). All of the rooms have lake views and many come with attached balconies. Decor is contemporary, with a mix of marble and dark hardwood floors and brushed-velvet sofas and chairs in neutral hues. Little Rajasthani touches look upscale in the form of wall art and traditional woven throws and cushions. Standard amenities include minibars, Bose home entertainment systems, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs with cable. Huge bathrooms come with deep soaking tubs, double vanities, and separate walk-in showers and water closets. Luxury toiletries, magnifying mirrors, and bathrobes are provided. 

Luxury Suites have studio-style configurations. Duplex Suites come with two stories and a lovely upstairs bedroom featuring a four-poster bed and matching dark-wood screen-style walls. There's also an 1,800-square-foot (167-square-meter) Royal Suite with a gorgeous, richly decorated living room, and a whirlpool hot tub. The romantic Maharaja Suite comes complete with its own massage room, plunge pool, and courtyards. All suites come with the option of free butler service.

The Leela Palace offers a lovely selection of amenities for both tourists and business travelers. There's a heavy emphasis on relaxation here via the lovely Spa by ESPA, which features aromatherapy steam rooms, massages, facials, and salon services. The well-equipped fitness center provides modern TechnoGym cardio machines and weights, plus a gorgeous yoga studio. Guests can choose from a couple of lovely pools: a small, gorgeous Spa Pool in a quiet plant-filled garden area and a larger main pool flanked with shaded lounge chairs and backed by thick swathes of palm trees, with lake views in the distance.

The hotel's main kitchen, the Dining Room restaurant, serves Indian and international food for all three meals. Other dining options include the Sheesh Mahal, an elegant fine-dining restaurant that serves romantic dinners on the terrace. The hotel can arrange special private dining experiences in lovely nooks throughout the property. For drinks and light snacks, the cozy Library Bar has a nice table setup and features regular folk music and dance performances in its courtyard. Note that past guests have complained of limited buffet options and food quality issues.

The hotel offers a variety of event space options for weddings and conferences ranging from small boardrooms for eight to 14 guests clear up to a larger conference hall that can seat 120 theater-style. Catering is also an option. Audiovisual equipment is available, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. The small gift shop sells art and textiles.