Shiv Niwas Palace

Housed in a palace building dating back to the early 1900s, Shiv Niwas Palace is a historic heritage hotel that attracts both Indian and international tourists along with the occasional wedding party. From the outside, this historic property very much lives up to its name, with all of the of columns, archways, terraces, screens, turrets, and cupolas associated with traditional Rajasthani architecture, coupled with flowering bougainvillea and gorgeous views over Lake Pichola. Inside, the decor is sophisticated -- but not ostentatious -- with marble floors, multiple hand-painted archways, and soft lighting via wall sconces and low-key chandeliers.

Shiv Niwas Palace looks out over Lake Pichola from its convenient location on the grounds of Udaipur's biggest attraction -- The City Palace -- in the main touristy part of town. It's about a five-minute walk to the city's famous Jagdish Temple and the whole surrounding area features lots of little restaurants and shops catering to international tourists. It's about a 10-minute drive to the railway station. Getting to the airport can take upwards of 40 minutes, depending on traffic. 

Shiv Niwas Palace has a total of 36 units, about half of which are 26-square-meter (280-square-foot) Palace Rooms -- the rest are suites. Decor varies from unit to unit, but guests can expect marble floors, lovely antique-style wooden furniture, and traditional touches such as silk throws and cushions, framed Rajasthani artwork on the walls, and hand-painted wall and ceiling trim, particularly in higher-category units. All units are air-conditioned and come with minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, slippers, and robes. Bathrooms vary a bit and aren't particularly striking, though they do have toiletries from luxury Ayurvedic brand Kama, wall-mounted hairdryers, and shower/tub combos or walk-in rainfall showers in higher categories. All rooms have balconies with a few chairs and tables. The Terrace Suite has gorgeous lake views and a big terrace. 

Note that there have been complaints of dirty grout, cleanliness issues, and maintenance issues. 

Shiv Niwas Palace offers excellent amenities for a hotel of its size, starting with its lovely outdoor pool located in a large courtyard beneath the shade of a few huge trees. There's also a squash court, a game room with a billiards table, and a small business center, plus free hotel-wide Wi-Fi. Wellness facilities include Panghat Spa and Salon, for a a variety of treatments and traditional massages as well as beauty treatments. Weddings can also be arranged on the hotel's terrace or out on its grounds. 

One of this property's best features is its numerous dining options. Snacks and drinks are available throughout the day at Palki Khana, a casual coffee bar, poolside at The Pool Deck, or indoors at the elegant Panera bar. The main restaurant, Panntya, offers Indian and international cuisine from breakfast through dinner.