Udai Bilas Palace, Dungarpur

Standing imposingly on the banks of the Gaibsagar Lake, this magnificent palace-turned-hotel offers incredible scenery and tranquillity with an air of royal luxury. The combination of fine art, historical architecture, and beautiful surroundings will satisfy even the most culture-hungry traveller.  

Aside from the obvious allure of staying in a palace, there’s also a seemingly never-ending array of surprises on the grounds. Centuries-old temples await in the surrounding forest. There’s a private museum filled with an eclectic collection of paintings, photographs, and textiles. A large swimming pool facing the lake. An incredible collection of vintage cars, motorbikes, and even a couple of World War-era propeller planes. We could go on.  

Back to the palace itself… The original structure dates back to the mid-19th century when Maharawal Udai Singhji II built a wing from the blue-grey local ‘Pareva’ stone. Over the decades, various rulers expanded the palace, resulting in an eclectic mix of architectural styles from different eras, and the décor of the various room types reflects this mix of eras. The standard and suite rooms are decorated with vintage upholstery and antique furniture, while the Art Deco suite is as you’d imagine, and the Maharawal Suite is full of extravagance fit for a king. Thanks to the palace’s surrounding area, all the rooms have great views, but we’d recommend a lake view if you have the option.  

Although suitable for every kind of traveller, the sheer romance of staying in an actual palace will be most appreciated by couples looking for something special. After all, how often is it that you get to stay in a palace?