Source:https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297672-d302891-Reviews-The_Oberoi_Udaivilas_Udaipur-Udaipur_Udaipur_District_Rajasthan.html
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur: Reliving a glorious past
“Magnificent and often surreal Mewari Rajputana palaces changed the face of India and remain eloquent witnesses to a life of grandeur and nobility, of ritual and formality, of tradition and honour, a life that will not return.”
-Nimish Patel, architect.
Want to taste real history, want to feel the fragrance of the glorious bygone days? Come to Rajasthan! The stories of bravery, of the colorful past still reverberate to keep you enchanted in this land of valiant Rajputana kings! And then, to make your vacation memorable, your stay ultra-luxurious, the “best hotel in the world”, as chosen by the tourists, awaits you! The Oberoi Udaivilas in the scenic “city of lakes”, Udaipur, the erstwhile capital of Maharanas of Mewar, is the famous palace-hotel that takes you back in time even though the structure actually is very modern.
The land of fabled first-century palaces
The prince of Wales once said of Udaipur, “The traveler who goes there first is likened to a man who begins his banquets with master-piece and is worried to find other dishes rather dull.”
Udaipur, the proud Rajasthani city, is located in the bowl-shaped basin of the Aravalli ranges. Having an intricate network of amazing lakes, the city has a romantic appeal and is often compared with the European city of Venice. The Rajput warriors found the rugged terrain a perfect fit for building impenetrable defences against the enemy and their creative endeavors gave rise to some spectacular forts and palaces that still define Udaipur.The city is a major tourist attraction as a symbol of the Rajput heritage.
Oberoi Udaipur: Overlooking the city and lake Pichola
Oberoi Udaivilas is situated at a very strategic location on the banks of Udaipur’s stunning lake Pichola, facing the erstwhile capital of Mewar kingdom etched in history for the valor of its proud sons, and indeed the daughters. The site chosen for the palace-hotel was the former hunting grounds for the colorful, adventurous Rajputs of medieval India. The careful, meticulous design of the resort gives you an impression that it’s one of those former palaces converted into a luxurious hotels, however, that’s far from the truth. The Oberoi Udaivilas is a brand new property built and inaugurated only in the year 2007!
A sprawling property, nothing ostentatious about it
The Oberoi Udaivilas resort is built over 30 acres of land, a very magnificent property with intricate detailing yet giving full consideration to the environment. The structure is made from modern bricks and mortar, and the architect has recreated that glorious era providing lush landscaped gardens, massive fortified walls and gates, historic elements like domes, cupolas, arches and pavilions, expansive courtyards, ornamental fountains and beautiful reflective pools, hand painted murals and hand-crafted stone columns, and so on. The resort has all modern amenities like high-speed wi-fi connection, yet everything about it is simply traditional and opulent.
Grand royal services
The entire Udaivilas complex having ninety rooms, including five suites, is creamy white monotone infusing a deep sense of serenity. A traditional plastering technique called “ghutai” requiring up to 18 months of preparation is employed to achieve this effect (the wonderful thing is that this ensures that you do not need any maintenance for centuries). One most innovative design feature in Udaivilas is the introduction of a labyrinth of underground service tunnels that allows staff to use golf buggies to deliver fresh meals and supplies to the guests. This results in guests walking unhindered at the ground level as no laundry, room service or engineering people keep crossing their path.
The resort affords breathtaking views and accommodates modern-day luxuries with a fascinating culinary experience. The open-air spa is relished by the guests a lot. The single-story structure rises with the slope of the land. The intuitive design creates different levels and offers scintillating views of centuries-old island palaces and city lakes.
You are sure to fall in love with charm of the city of lakes, and indeed of splendid palaces, Udaipur, when you plan to spend your next vacation at the Oberoi Udaivilas in the land of valor and bravery, and of vast deserts- Rajasthan. The sprawling resort spread over an area of 30 acres of luxuriant gardens and an intricate layout of domes and corridors to keep you enchanted. You will come back with memories for a lifetime!
Sources:
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