Within walking distance of a local market and restaurants
Rooms have air-conditioning and private bathrooms
Simple restaurant serving Indian dishes
Conference hall for local events
Free on-site covered parking
Serious cleanliness issues include dust, dirt, and mold
A 10-minute drive from most tourist sights
Dated and basic rooms
No Wi-Fi
Like many hotels in the area, no meat or alcohol served
The Alka is a two-pearl hotel located in a busy market area in Udaipur. Its features include a simple Indian restaurant, conference hall, and underground parking -- but no Wi-Fi. The 42 basic and tired rooms have air-conditioning courtesy of clunky units, plus TVs and private bathrooms. This hotel was opened in 1963, and unfortunately hasn’t modernized with the times, despite a full renovation in 2007. Even as a value base, it's not the best option in town, and looks quite dated and worn throughout. Location aside, common complaints from previous guests include -- but aren’t limited to -- dust, dirt, and mold. Instead, opt for one of the many budget and mid-range hotels in Udaipur that offer a better experience and location, like Lake Pichola Hotel.
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Scene
Udaipur’s original city hotel is a value base, but it’s dated, dirty, and lacks charm
There’s no way to put it nicely: the Alka is way past its prime. That impression starts just by looking at the hotel's ungainly exterior, though the marble lobby also has minimal authentic charm, save for a few ornate-looking sofas and old photos adorning the walls. A yellow tarpaulin leading toward the courtyard -- complete with a lonely couple of tables -- adds a splash of color to an otherwise bland setting. Built in 1963, the Alka was one of Udaipur’s first-ever hotels and has played an important part in the city’s tourism industry. In 2007 it underwent a full renovation -- but it’s still tired and dated, with some issues that you might expect from an older budget hotel -- like scuffed walls -- and others that you wouldn’t, like dust and mold. We’d love to say that the atmosphere or some kind of historic charm redeems this hotel; but there’s no personal approach, nor is there a homey vibe. Instead, it's geared toward locals, backpackers, and families seeking a value base above all else. Families with young children and solo female travelers would be best to look elsewhere.
Location
In a vibrant market area, a 10-minute drive from most of Udaipur’s tourist attractions
The Alka Hotel is located on a side street in a busy market area, with plenty of local businesses, dining options, and shops within walking distance. It shares its surroundings with other budget and mid-range properties and the area is busy during the day, but quiets down at night when the markets close. Though the markets are interesting, this location is far from Udaipur's main tourist sights. It’s a 10-minute drive to most of the city's top attractions, like the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Bagore Ki Haveli Museum, Lake Pichola, and Lake Fateh Sagar. Taxis are available from outside the hotel. The train station is about a five-minute drive away and Udaipur's airport can be reached in around 30 minutes.
Rooms
Basic rooms are a good size but there are real problems with dirt, dust, and mold
Rooms at the Alka are basic and brown-hued; there’s lots of wood-effect furniture plus cream tiled floors, and decor is limited to a couple of aging prints on the walls. Amenities include desks, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Rooms are quiet and a good size for a city hotel -- all can sleep a third adult or two children at an extra cost. However, the pros end there. There are signs of wear and tear all around, and common complaints from previous guests include dust, dirt, mold, broken fixtures, absent hot water, and no Wi-Fi. Part marble, part tiled wet room-style bathrooms have a frosted window through to the sleeping area. The bathrooms have seen better days; dust, mold, and a stale smell are commonplace. If you must stay here, it’s worth opting for one of the Super Deluxe Rooms, which feel less worn and have slightly nicer furniture -- fancier headboards, sturdier armchairs -- plus old mini-fridges. Though the bathrooms in these rooms are more spacious, they still suffer from the same issues as the Deluxe Rooms. Views are of the courtyard, street, or side of a neighboring building.
Features
Limited to a simple restaurant, conference hall, and parking -- there’s no Wi-Fi
The Alka has all of the features guests would expect from a hotel of its standard -- which is to say, not many. However, there is a simple Indian restaurant serving Rajasthani meals alongside some Chinese dishes, and room service is also available. The cuisine is vegetarian and no alcohol is served on-site. There’s also 24-hour reception, plus a conference hall that sees its fair share of local events. Covered parking is offered free of charge in an underground parking lot. Keep in mind that there is no Wi-Fi.
