The India Zone

Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur
It took ten years to build, but one look at this magnificent resort set on the banks of Udaipur's Lake Pichola will tell you that every moment of those ten years was worth the wait. The resort will take you back to the old days of the glory of Mewar, and if the architecture isn't enough to move you, take a leisurely walk around the complex - this was once the hunting ground of Rajasthan's royalty, and if you hear with your heart, you can probably still hear echoes of a game.

Hand-painted mural, carved stone columns, landscaped terraces, lotus flowers that have bloomed in marble, domes shimmering in their gold-leaf cover and a classic view of Jagmandir and Jagniwas, two stately 17th century palaces - all these heighten your experience of royal Rajasthan during your stay at the Oberoi Udaivilas.

Silken parasols beckon you to rest a while in under their shade, marble bathrooms tempt you to spend an hour or two soaking in sensuous bubble baths, and the faint calls of the wild from the sanctuary nearby make you feel like you're living a page out of a fairytale.

For an unusual experience, sign up for the luxury suites that come with tented dining pavilions and a telescope with which you can gaze at the starry Rajasthan sky, or spend your holiday in the Kohinoor suite with its quaint wooden sauna.

Suryamahal, the daytime restaurant at the resort, serves a tantalizing fusion of Western, Mediterranean and Thai cuisine. You can also enjoy a meal at Chandni, the open-air courtyard that also provides space for music and dance performances.

Udaimahal provides a royal candlelight dinner experience. Traditional Rajasthani and North Indian fare are served here. You can also have a bite around the swimming pool, or in the Spa Courtyard.

If you're in the mood to wander at will, just pack a picnic lunch basket and hire a private boat to take you around the lake. The highlight of the dining experience at Udaivilas is a leisurely dinner spent on board the Bhagwanti Royal Barge as it wends its way to the islands across Lake Pichola.

Get the best of Ayurvedic and Western therapies and treatments at the Oberoi Banyan Tree Spa.

Go for a tomato wrap, or even a luxurious Shirodhara massage. For those looking to get the adrenaline flowing, there's a state-of-the-art gym, and a swimming pool where you can burn off those excess calories.

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