Picture your arrival: you're met at the airport by a car and driver, guided onto a private boat, then ferried across Lake Pichola—past Udaipur's domed lakefront palaces—into the gardens and fountains of the Udaivilas estate. You're led to your suite, tempered with earth tones. From your window, Udaipur, the city of lakes, carved into the desert landscape by Mewari royals in the 16th century, sparkles in the sun. When sensory overload subsides, wind your way through sprawling courtyards to a traditional Kashmiri gondola, where champagne and canapés for two await. Come back to the 30-acre lakeside property another time to receive traditional mirror-work coasters or jewelry boxes, departure gifts given to repeat visitors.
Room to Book:
All 19 Premiere Rooms have private pools and terraces, but the 9 that face the nature preserve offer wildlife spotting (peacocks; deer; wild boar) as well as views of the marble palaces of mainland Udaipur.
Insider Tip:
Wander through the on-site Bada Mahal, an 18th-century former palace with delicate frescoes.