Apr 25th, 2017, 11:14 AM

Udaipur & the Island of Luxury

By Joan Jessiman
Image Credit: Joan Jessiman
Experience relaxation & pure bliss at Udaipur's "floating vision in marble," the Taj Lake Palace.

Udaipur is located in India's Rajasthan state in western India.  Udaipur is often forgotten by tourists as "The Golden Triangle" in Norhern India is a more popular route to take.  The Golden Triangle includes Jaipur, Dheli, and Agra where the famous Taj Mahal is located. These three cities form the three points of a triangle in northern India and provide tourists with a route to follow.  Udaipur is slightly more south west, but should not be overlooked if you're traveling through India. Udaipur is known for its serene lakes, lush gardens and exotic temples as well as its famous hotel "The Taj Lake Palace."


Image Credit: World Atlas

Udaipur is a very special place to visit especially if you travel with a friend who knows the language and city. Traveling throughout India is fairly easy and many of the big cities are connected by roads. At a first glance, Udaipur looks like any other Indian city. But with a closer glance and some patience, you will discover it is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich places you'll visit.

Dirt roads slowly turn to paved roads as they wind towards the heart of the city, the slightly more developed side of life here. Buildings are simple, most having a cream color, but have intricate tiles and cut out door ways. Vendors with their elephants sell yellow and red carnations stacked on their backs in the dusty streets. Camels carrying entire families weave between cars and continue on their day. 


Image Credit: Joan Jessiman

The Taj Lake Palace, on the other hand, looks like its out of a dream. The towering, all-white hotel sits on a small island called Jag Niwas in Lake Pichola. The Taj Lake Palace was built in 1743 and today has earned the reputation of being one of the most romantic hotels in the world. It was built facing east, allowing guests to pray to Surya, the Hindu sun god.

Hotel guests can take small boats from the city to the island when wanting to escape the heat and return to luxury. When visitors arrive at the hotel they are greeted with white orchid lays, rose petals on the floor and fresh pressed ginger juice. The floors and walls are made of black and white marble and have stones incrusted in them. And besides its 83 spacious rooms, there are expansive gardens, fountains, terraces and courtyards. 


Image Credit: Joan Jessiman

Each room from the normal abode to the Presidential Suit offers guests with access to a 24-hour butler, as well as even a menu to choose pillows most suited to your comfort. If you're not relaxing in your suite, spend some time in the hotel gardens. Water features babble along and the sweet smell of exotic blooming flowers linger permanently in the air. It's easy to sink into their plush white couches and drift off into bliss.


Image Credit: Joan Jessiman

But Udaipur is often overlooked by visitors because it's not a part of Northern India's "Golden Triangle." If you're spending a few weeks exploring the country, Udaipur should be on your list  for any time of the year. There's diverse culture and local traditions that locals enjoy sharing with tourists.

 If you can stay a few nights at The Taj Lake Palace: you wont regret it. The experience will surpass any other hotel in the region and, like it was for me, any hotel I've ever stayed in. You'll go home with a tan, hand crafted gifts and a blissful longing to return to Udaipur and its Taj Lake Palace.