Udaipur earns its nickname, the City of Lakes, most clearly at sunset. The City Palace glows gold along the eastern shore, boats drift past the ghats, and a white marble palace seems to float on the water. Where you stay decides how much of that you see from your own window.
This guide to the best hotels near Lake Pichola covers ten properties, from island palaces to small lakeside havelis. For each one, you’ll find where it sits, what the view is really like, who it suits, and one thing to keep in mind. A quick comparison table, a short guide to the lake’s different shores, and an FAQ are included for fast planning.
Quick answer: For a once-in-a-lifetime stay, choose the Taj Lake Palace, which sits on its own island in the lake. For a palace inside the City Palace complex, choose Taj Fateh Prakash Palace or Shiv Niwas Palace. If you are interested resort-style space, choose The Oberoi Udaivilas or The Leela Palace. For intimate heritage stays with lake views, choose Amet Haveli, Jagat Niwas Palace, Karohi Haveli, Udai Kothi, or Lake Pichola Hotel.
Best Hotels Near Lake Pichola at a Glance
| Hotel | Where | Style | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taj Lake Palace | Island in the lake | Floating marble palace | $$$$ | Romance, once-in-a-lifetime stays |
| The Oberoi Udaivilas | Western bank | Palace resort | $$$$ | Space, gardens, privacy |
| The Leela Palace | Lake bank | Palace hotel | $$$$ | Lake-edge dining and views |
| Taj Fateh Prakash Palace | Inside City Palace complex | Heritage palace | $$$$ | Royal history, central location |
| Shiv Niwas Palace | Inside City Palace complex | Heritage palace | $$$$ | Palace atmosphere in the old city |
| Amet Haveli | Outside Chand Pole | Heritage haveli | $$$ | Lake views and lakeside dining |
| Jagat Niwas Palace | Lal Ghat | 17th-century haveli | $$–$$$ | Old-city location, character |
| Karohi Haveli | Outside Chand Pole | Heritage haveli | $$–$$$ | Rooftop views, indoor pool |
| Udai Kothi | Outside Chand Pole | Upscale hotel | $$–$$$ | Rooftop pool, ghat access |
| Lake Pichola Hotel | Outside Chand Pole | Indo-Islamic hotel | $$ | Lake and ghat views at a gentler price |
Price tiers: $$ is mid-range. $$$ is upscale. $$$$ is ultra-luxury. We don’t publish nightly rates because they change daily and rise sharply in peak season. Always check current prices before booking.
A note on star ratings: Booking sites don’t always agree. Several of the lake-view heritage hotels below are listed as 3 or 3.5 stars on some platforms and 4 stars on others. We describe each hotel by the experience it offers rather than relying on a single star rating.
How We Chose These Hotels
We focused on properties that are on Lake Pichola or a short walk from it, with real lake or City Palace views. We looked at location, heritage character, the quality of the views, and how consistently guests praise them across booking sites.
Understanding Lake Pichola’s Shores
Lake Pichola isn’t a single “lakefront.” The side you choose changes your view and your daily routine.
- On the lake: The Taj Lake Palace sits on Jag Niwas island. You arrive by boat.
- City Palace side (east bank): Taj Fateh Prakash Palace, Shiv Niwas Palace, and Jagat Niwas Palace sit here. You’re in the middle of the old city, close to the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and the ghats.
- Chand Pole and Hanuman Ghat side: Amet Haveli, Karohi Haveli, Udai Kothi, and Lake Pichola Hotel sit here. They face across the water toward the City Palace and the old city, a very photogenic view.
- Western bank: The Oberoi Udaivilas stands here, in large gardens. The Leela Palace also sits on the lake’s banks, a short walk from Gangaur Ghat according to booking sites.
Lake view versus lakefront: Many hotels advertise a “lake view,” but not every room has one. Some of the hotels below have both lake-facing and non-lake-facing rooms at different prices. Always ask for a lake-facing room by name when you book.
5-Star Palaces Near Lake Pichola
Udaipur’s palace hotels are some of India’s most celebrated. For more heritage and luxury stays beyond Udaipur, see our page on royal stays in India.
1. Taj Lake Palace
Best for: Romance and a truly unique stay.
The Taj Lake Palace is a roughly 250-year-old white marble palace on Jag Niwas, a four-acre island in the middle of Lake Pichola. It was once a royal summer retreat. Today it has 83 rooms and suites, decorated with marble, silk, carved wood, and murals.
You reach it by private boat from the hotel’s dock. It’s a short ride from the lake shore, and about a 40-minute drive from the airport to the jetty.
Keep in mind: The island setting means you’re set apart from the old city’s bustle. Access to the island is generally limited to guests and diners with reservations, so check before you plan a visit.
2. The Oberoi Udaivilas
Best for: Space, gardens, and a resort feel.
Set on the western bank of Lake Pichola, The Oberoi Udaivilas spreads across roughly 50 acres of gardens. Dining terraces look out over the lake and the City Palace, and the property includes a spa and Mughal-inspired pools.
It feels like a self-contained palace resort, with a quieter, more private atmosphere than the old city properties.
Keep in mind: It’s further from the old city’s lanes than the City Palace-side hotels. Plan on using the hotel’s transport for sightseeing.
3. The Leela Palace Udaipur
Best for: Lake-edge dining and views.
The Leela Palace sits on the banks of Lake Pichola, with views toward the Aravalli hills and the City Palace. It has 88 rooms and suites, a spa, and an outdoor pool. Its Sheesh Mahal restaurant, set at the edge of the lake, is a highlight for many guests.
Booking sites list Gangaur Ghat as a short walk away, so you can reach the old city’s edge on foot.
Keep in mind: Choose a Lake View or Grande Heritage Lake View room if the water is your priority. Garden-view rooms are also sold at this hotel.
4. Taj Fateh Prakash Palace
Best for: Royal history in the heart of the City Palace complex.
Formerly known as Fateh Prakash Palace and run by the HRH Group, this heritage hotel is now managed by the Taj Group. It stands on the eastern shore of Lake Pichola, inside the City Palace complex, and has 65 rooms and suites.
Its Sunset Terrace overlooks the lake. You’re also surrounded by the City Palace complex, so many of Udaipur’s top sights sit on your doorstep.
Keep in mind: If you search under the old name, “Fateh Prakash Palace,” you’ll find older listings that may not reflect the Taj-managed hotel.
5. Shiv Niwas Palace
Best for: A palace atmosphere inside the old city.
Shiv Niwas Palace was built as a royal guesthouse within the City Palace complex. It was completed by Maharana Fateh Singh in the early 20th century, and it opened as a hotel in 1982. It’s run by the HRH Group, which is owned by the current Maharana of Mewar.
Staying here puts you inside one of India’s most famous palace complexes.
Keep in mind: Because it’s part of the City Palace complex, expect more day visitors nearby than at a stand-alone resort.
Lake-View Heritage and Boutique Hotels
6. Amet Haveli
Best for: Lake views, lakeside dining, and good location.
Amet Haveli stands on Hanuman Ghat Road, just outside Chand Pole. The hotel’s own history says the present haveli dates to the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh II, between 1734 and 1752. It describes itself as a 4-star hotel with 22 lake-facing rooms.
Its lakeside restaurant, Ambrai, looks across to the City Palace, Gangaur Ghat, Jagdish Temple, and the Lake Palace. The hotel also runs a private boat, the Garuda, for rides on the lake.
Keep in mind: The City Palace and Jagdish Temple are a 10–20 minute walk away. It’s an easy stroll, but not “next door.”
7. Jagat Niwas Palace
Best for: An old-city location with real character.
This 17th-century haveli sits at 23–25 Lal Ghat, behind the Jagdish Temple, with a boutique feel and around 27 to 29 rooms. The lake is about a one-minute walk away, and Gangaur Ghat and the City Palace are a few minutes on foot. Two floors of lake-facing seating make its restaurant a popular sunset spot.
Keep in mind: Some rooms face the street or courtyard rather than the lake. Guest reviews are clear that a non-lake-facing room offers little view, so book a lake-facing room or suite.
8. Karohi Haveli
Best for: Rooftop views and an indoor pool.
Karohi Haveli sits outside Chand Pole, near Hanuman Ghat. It was once the residence of a noble family. Its rooftop restaurant and terraces look across to the City Palace, the old city, and the ghats. Facilities include an indoor pool, spa, and yoga room, according to booking sites.
Room categories include Super Deluxe lake-view rooms and Palace Suites with lake views.
Keep in mind: Not every room faces the lake, and listings report different room counts. Confirm your room category before you book.
9. Udai Kothi
Best for: A rooftop pool and easy access to the ghats.
Udai Kothi sits on Hanuman Ghat Marg outside Chand Pole, a short walk from Gangaur Ghat. Booking sites list around 45 rooms. The terrace restaurants overlook the City Palace and Lake Pichola, and a rooftop pool adds a leisure option that many old-city havelis lack.
Keep in mind: It’s a larger, more modern hotel than the heritage havelis nearby. Review scores vary by platform, so check recent guest feedback.
10. Lake Pichola Hotel
Best for: Lake and ghat views at a gentler price.
This Indo-Islamic style hotel sits on Ambrai Road, outside Chand Pole, close to Gangaur Ghat. Many rooms and balconies look onto Lake Pichola, the City Palace, and the illuminated Gangaur Ghat in the evening.
Keep in mind: Some booking sites list it as a 3-star property, so expect a simpler experience than the luxury palaces. Ask for a deluxe lake-view room with a balcony.
How to Choose the Right Hotel
Choosing among the best hotels near Lake Pichola comes down to what you want from the view and the neighborhood. Here’s a quick shortlist:
- Most romantic: The Taj Lake Palace.
- Most space and privacy: The Oberoi Udaivilas.
- Best palace-history stay in the City Palace complex: Taj Fateh Prakash Palace or Shiv Niwas Palace.
- Best small haveli with lake views: Amet Haveli, Karohi Haveli, or Jagat Niwas Palace.
- Best for a pool without a palace price: Udai Kothi or Karohi Haveli.
Practical Tips for Booking
A few habits make booking any of the best hotels near Lake Pichola easier:
- Book a lake-facing room by name. A “lake view” hotel doesn’t guarantee a lake-view room.
- Check access. Narrow lanes around the old city can limit car access, so ask how you reach the hotel.
- Plan for boats. The Taj Lake Palace and some lakeside hotels use boat transfers or lake rides.
- Expect busy periods. Udaipur is a popular wedding and festival destination, and peak winter months book up early.
- Arriving by air: Udaipur’s airport is roughly 22–25 km from the old city, about 35–45 minutes by car.
Sample 2-Day Plan Around Lake Pichola
Day 1: Visit the City Palace in the morning. Walk to Jagdish Temple and the ghats, then take a sunset boat ride on the lake.
Day 2: Explore the old city’s lanes and markets, and enjoy a long lunch at a lakeside terrace. In the evening, watch the lights come on along the shore.
For Travel Agents: A DMC for India in Rajasthan
If you’re a travel agency in Delhi looking for a DMC for India, Ghum India Ghum can arrange hotels, transfers, guides, and ground handling across Rajasthan for your clients. That includes the ten hotels in this guide. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.
For LGBTQ+ Travelers
Ghum India Ghum has welcomed LGBTQ+ couples and groups on our trips, with positive feedback. If this matters for your hotel choice, mention it when you enquire, and we’ll factor it into the planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. The Taj Lake Palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas, The Leela Palace, Taj Fateh Prakash Palace, and Shiv Niwas Palace are the top luxury options. Amet Haveli and Jagat Niwas Palace lead the heritage choices.
A. The Taj Lake Palace, on Jag Niwas island.
A. Yes. The hotel was formerly run by the HRH Group and is now managed by Taj.
A. No. Many hotels sell both lake-facing and non-lake-facing rooms, so request a lake-facing room.
A. It ranges from mid-range havelis to ultra-luxury palaces. Prices change daily, so check current rates.
A. Roughly 22–25 km, about 35–45 minutes by car.
Plan Your Udaipur Stay
This guide to the best hotels near Lake Pichola should help you match a hotel to your travel style, budget, and the view you want to wake up to.
If you’d rather have the logistics handled, Ghum India Ghum builds custom India itineraries for travelers from the US, Europe, and India. We have more than 15 years of experience and are recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. And hold a 4.8 out of 5 rating across more than 800 Google reviews at the time of writing. We also have offices in Milan and the USA, so you get direct, time-zone-friendly support before you go.
We can include any of these hotels in a custom Rajasthan itinerary. For more palace and heritage hotels across the country, browse our royal stays in India page. To see how a multi-city route comes together, explore our Golden Triangle Tour with Nepal, and ask us to add Udaipur. Get in touch and we’ll build the right route for your time and interests.
