The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace was originally built by Maharana Fateh Singh in 1911 to serve as a lakeside residence along the artificial Fateh Sagar Lake, also built by his ancestors. Initially, it was meant to serve as the residence of the noted local political figure Mr. Winn Gate, who remained in the area until 1945. Despite two World Wars, the property remained undamaged and unchanged, continuing to fulfill the purpose for which it was built. By 1945, Mr. Gate would be reassigned, and the Maharana opted to overhaul its purpose to serve not merely as a solitary regal residence but also as a guest house for various visiting nobles, dignitaries, and British officers.
Even after the independence of India and its transition to a republic, with the loss of status it entailed for nobles such as the Maharana, the Palace continued to accommodate visitors and provide them with a regal experience. Gradually modernizing its amenities to adapt to changing times and expanding its clientele to become a truly public accommodation, the property later became part of the LaLiT Hotels, Palaces & Resorts brand of Bharat Hotels Limited Enterprise , under whose management it remains today.
The level of care and hospitality provided by the palace has led to it being awarded numerous times, such as First Among Top Hotels (Room Quality) and Excellent Among Top 5-Star Hotels (Dining Quality) during the Travel Guru Awards in 2012, and Travelers Choice in 2020 and 2021 by that same body.
Design and Architecture
The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace is a unique example of a modernized variant of traditional Rajasthani architecture , specifically highlighting an Indo-Saracenic architectural aesthetic that is both recognizable and yet minimalist. Most notable from an external perspective is the largely neat, plain light coloring and lack of patterned engravings and ornamentations of its exterior surfaces, a stark contrast with most Indo-Saracenic architectural features that commonly utilize either reddish or natural stone coloring while also including elaborate design and pattern work to enhance their appeal.
Another interesting exterior feature is the blend of rectangular and arched passages and windows, in which conventional Indo-Saracenic design would have the whole opening be curved and arched, but the Palace instead features a rectangular opening for such features while either having a separate and rather muted curved engraving or design pattern above or simply no curved top at all. Nonetheless, it still features unambiguous and straight Indo-Saracenic design features, such as the use of recessed iwan entrances, open pavilions, chhajja overhanging eaves, among others.
This uniquely modern and minimalist take on the Indo-Saracenic design is further apparent in the palace's interior spaces, which are similarly bright and neat, with walls and ceiling surfaces being relatively plain compared to the already frugally decorated marble and tiled floors. The primary decoration apparent in interior spaces is either assorted paintings hanging on walls, geometric tapestries that can be found hanging behind beds, or the more traditionally patterned carpets placed on the floors.
Frescoes and engravings are more prominent in communal indoor spaces such as lobbies or dining areas, but they are still relatively minimalist as compared to other similarly converted palace accommodations of an Indo-Saracenic design. Furnishings and furniture range from more comfortable and elegantly designed along Baroque and Art Nouveau curves and engravings, to straight Mid-Century Modern designs using styled plastic or rattan, as in the case of terrace or courtyard communal spaces.
Parking
Free parking
Parking on site
Private parking
RESTAURANT
BAR
LAUNDRY
Room service
Meeting/banquet facilities
Airport shuttle
Business centre
Babysitting/child services
Dry cleaning
Ironing service
Currency exchange
Packed lunches
Car hire
Tour desk
Fax/photocopying
Concierge service
Trouser press
Airport shuttle (additional charge)
Guest services
24-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Daily housekeeping
Activities
Fitness centre
Games room
Spa and wellness centre
Children's playground
Billiards
Spa facilities
Outdoor
Garden
General
Non-smoking rooms
Facilities for disabled guests
Family rooms
Safety deposit box
Non-smoking throughout
Air conditioning
Designated smoking area
Food & Drink
Breakfast in the room
Kid meals
Wine/champagne
Internet
Internet services
WiFi
Free WiFi
Outdoors
BBQ facilities
Transport
Airport pick up
Airport drop off
Safety & security
24-hour security
Key access
Key card access
Security alarm
Smoke alarms
CCTV in common areas
Fire extinguishers
Safety features
First aid kit available
Physical distancing
Cashless payment available
Physical distancing rules followed
Parking
Parking
Free parking
Parking on site
Private parking
Popular Amenities
RESTAURANT
BAR
LAUNDRY
Services
Room service
Meeting/banquet facilities
Airport shuttle
Business centre
Babysitting/child services
Dry cleaning
Ironing service
Currency exchange
Packed lunches
Car hire
Tour desk
Fax/photocopying
Concierge service
Trouser press
Airport shuttle (additional charge)
Guest services
24-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Daily housekeeping
Activities
Fitness centre
Games room
Spa and wellness centre
Children's playground
Billiards
Spa facilities
Outdoor
Garden
General
Non-smoking rooms
Facilities for disabled guests
Family rooms
Safety deposit box
Non-smoking throughout
Air conditioning
Designated smoking area
Food & Drink
Breakfast in the room
Kid meals
Wine/champagne
Internet
Internet services
WiFi
Free WiFi
Outdoors
BBQ facilities
Transport
Airport pick up
Airport drop off
Safety & security
24-hour security
Key access
Key card access
Security alarm
Smoke alarms
CCTV in common areas
Fire extinguishers
Safety features
First aid kit available
Physical distancing
Cashless payment available
Physical distancing rules followed
The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace features three signature restaurants for guests to choose from in order to satisfy their culinary desires. Alternatively, the palace also offers guests the choice of having meals in their own rooms, which they can avail anytime during the day, with a multi-cuisine menu for guests to select from.
Aangan
Featuring an open-plan kitchen, guests can enjoy traditional Rajasthani dishes while watching folk dance performances. The culinary offerings of Aangan include various grilled and barbecued dishes, and on request, an exclusive Shikar (Hunters) Menu. Among some of the dishes that guests can enjoy are soups and starters , including sikandari raan , with main course offerings such as lamb shank gosht and rajwada murg.
Serving hours - Service starts from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (Restaurant), and 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Bar)
Padmini
Enjoy traditional Rajasthani cuisine in the classic ambiance of an authentically designed dining venue. The Padmini restaurant offers guests the opportunity to have a regal dining experience while savoring traditional Indian and Rajasthani cuisine, such as murgh dum biryani and smoked laal maas, and also various Continental specialties. Guests have the luxury of time, as this venue is open 24 hours per day, and the experience of cultural enrichment, with local musicians performing traditional instrumental music in the background.
OKO
Those looking for a more diverse and exotic dining experience can choose to have their meals at this open-air restaurant instead. OKO specializes in crafting distinct cuisines from Southeast Asia and beyond, featuring dishes of Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and even Japanese origin. Visitors will be able to choose from a variety of international favorites, which include Sichuan fried rice, pad Thai, dim sum, soups, and others.
Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace offers guests the opportunity to hold their weddings within the premises of the palace, mainly using the same venues and amenities available to those holding other events. You'll also have the convenience of having in-house catering, decoration, and performers for your special day.
Aangan - The restaurant is also convertible into a venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Size: 3,000 sq. ft. (278.71 sqm)
Aamrapali Lawn - Those with larger weddings or receptions in mind can also hold such events at this venue.
Size: 5,000 sq. ft. (464.52 sqm)
Lower Lawn: The largest space available at the palace, this venue can easily accommodate lavish ceremonies, including both the wedding and the reception.
Size: 2,0000 sq. ft. (1858.06 sqm)
Cultural and Outdoor Experiences
The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace offers its guests three kinds of experiences for those with a specific theme in mind towards exploring Udaipur itself. The three experiences are the Historical, Religious, and Heritage experiences. For all three types, the property is willing to provide assistance and booking services to guests having specific destination choices in mind.
For the Historical experience, guests can book trips based on a list of various destinations for them to see and explore. Chittorgarh Fort is the largest fort in India and is a marvel of Rajput architecture with its scenic palaces, towers, and cenotaphs. Haldighati, a mountain pass in the Aravalli Range, is named after the yellow turmeric-colored soil and is significant for being the site of an important battle in 1576. Kumbhalgarh Fort, the birthplace of Merar's warrior king Maharana Pratap, is the second-largest wall complex in the world, featuring 13 elevated mountain peaks along with interspersed temples and gardens.
Om the other hand, the Religious experience takes guests to specific temple complexes with spiritual significance. The Eklingi, Nagda, and Nathdwara experience brings visitors to 10th-century temples with unusual yet appealing designs, along with other structures dedicated to Vishnu, Krishna, and Shiva. The Ranakpur Jain Temple experience brings guests to a Jain temple complex in Rajasthan named after a ruler of Mewar. Housing the five temples of Chaumukha, Parsvanath, Neminath, Amba Mata, and Surya, it showcases a unique Jain style and is known as one of the five most important Jain shrines in India.
Lastly, for the Heritage experience, guests can book trips to various interesting locations such as the Gulab Bagh and Saheliyon-ki-Bari, which are examples of ornamental gardens with lavish features and decorations. The Ahar Museum is a cluster of 19 elegantly carved cenotaphs with the remains of various ruling Maharanas of Mewar. The Vintage Car Museum features a collection of various cars and vehicles owned or used by the formerly ruling House of Mewar from the 19th century onward, with many in perfect working order. The Sajjan Garh Monsoon Palace, built by its namesake in 1884, is located high up in the Aravalli Hills with a panoramic view of Udaipur and its surroundings, while also glowing golden orange itself during the sunset and evenings.
Other Celebrations
Guests wishing to hold special events or occasions at the property can be accommodated in three different indoor and outdoor locations, featuring more than 9,400 square feet of available space. The property can provide further assistance and services, such as catering or decorations, depending on arrangements directly made by interested guests with the management.
A palace complex next to Lake Pichola that was built over the course of 400 years while serving as both a defensive fortress and their administrative capital. Part of the palace is open as a heritage museum. (15-minute drive)
Named after Maharana Jagat Singh, this floating palace and fortress in the middle of Lake Pichola is an exemplar of regal Rajasthani architecture and is open for public visits. (17-minute drive)
A former palace complex that has now been largely converted into a museum showcasing the restored and preserved living spaces and various artifacts of the former resident nobility. (7-minute drive)
The closest airport is Maharana Pratap Airport, which is a 34-minute drive away.
The nearest railway station is Udaipur City Railway Station, which is a 14-minute drive away.