India
The Leela Palace Udaipur
Where old-world splendour meets modern luxury, The Leela Palace Udaipur opens a window onto one of Rajasthan’s most enchanting cities. Twinkling in the starlight on the banks of Lake Pichola the hotel’s elegant design mirrors the serenity that lies before it to create a place of undisputed calm. Dip your toes in the pool, soothe your senses in the spa and indulge your taste buds with the gourmet creations at Sheesh Mahal. Leela Palace is a stay fit for your inner Maharaja and Maharani.
Location
When in Udaipur, there is simply no more iconic an address than the banks of Lake Pichola. This expansive lake that has come to characterise the city exudes a sense of peace and tranquillity not easily come by amid the bustle of some of India’s other cities. As the only modern palace hotel to line the shoreline, Leela Palace makes for a stunning contrast to the city’s centuries of history and at just a 45minute drive from the airport, a stay here makes for a perfect stop in any discovery of Rajasthan.
Your Room
In a word? Palatial. Even the simplest rooms are far from low-key with hypnotic views extending all the way from your bed, out to the calm waters of Lake Pichola and up to the dramatic peaks of the Aravalli mountains. In a place fit for royalty, the 80 room and suites act as private citadels and intimate sanctuaries, framed by sweeping balconies and centred around private courtyards. Step inside and discover elegant interiors, exuding a subtle grace so fitting of Udaipur.
Why we like it
We’ve never been able to resist the flavours and spices of Indian cuisine, but Leela Palace truly is a cut above the rest. In the open air, candlelit courtyard of Sheesh Mahal talented chefs cook with a nuanced take on recipes mastered in royal kitchens of old whilst the intimacy of the Library Bar invites cosy evenings, enjoying a digestif or two. But in this indisputably romantic setting, nothing captures the magic of Udaipur like a private dinner for two atop the Haveli Roof Top with only the stars and the mountains above you.