Detailed Review
Classified as a Grand Heritage Palace, the imposing lakeside Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur recapitulates royal traditions and lifestyles in its antique furniture, original paintings and opulent interiors. Its serene premises and picturesque views of Lake Pichola, Jagmandir Island Palace, Lake Palace and the Sajjangarh Fort, promise a soothing break from the rigors of city life. The magnificent Durbar Hall, the exclusive Gallery Restaurant and the dazzling Crystal Gallery complete the royal repertoire of unparalleled experiences at Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur.
Traditional Mewari hospitality coupled with efficient service adds to the pleasure of a holiday at Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur. While at the Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur, one can completely embrace Palace life and explore the enormous Palace Complex, including the Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel Udaipur.
Each suite at Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur is decorated with original portraits and period furniture, which have been in the family for generations. The recently opened Dovecote wing has all the rooms facing Lake Pichola. Each room has been designed to give maximum comfort and a sweeping view of the lake with the Jagmandir Island Palace and Lake Palace.
Press Quotes
"Many of the rooms in the palace retain elements of the original decor, such as paintings and items of furniture. Nevertheless, go for one of the 21 rooms in the newly opened Dovecote wing, which are lighter and more contemporary and, crucially, all have views of the lake." The Independent
Independent Reviews
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"A Maharaja's lakeside palace, now converted to a sophisticated luxury hotel that's stuffed with antiques and period furniture."
Fateh Prakash
By Caroline Major
No matter what time of year you arrive, Udaipur is splendid. Indian princes have lived here for centuries leaving a wealth of palaces, which, in post-Imperial india are run as hotels. The Fatah Prakash is another in which the Maharajah still chooses to live, while renting the rest of it out to the HRH hotels group, a chain of luxury palace hotels in India.
The Palace, in two separate wings, faces the lake, and then backs onto the piazza with the more ancient Fort and its City Palace. On the third quarter of the hill on which royalty built their residences is the Shiv Niwas hotel, in another wing of the same palace which houses the Fatah Prakash. Run by the same hotel group, the two hotels share some facilities. The swimming pool is one that you will want to use. Set in a fabulous moorish courtyard, amongst frangipani trees, you can get one of the best lime sodas in Rajasthan here.
The rooms
Inside the Fateh Prakash, the rooms, like many others in this category of heritage hotel, are time-capsules dedicated to the last Marahajas’ taste, or in this case, the Maharani. In the main part of the hotel, alongside the superior rooms, there is a museum housing the Maharani’s collection of crystal. This collection is not just a few chandelers and ornaments, but includes a crystal bed and a throne amongst other horrors. If you feel like giving yourself yet another indian shock, pay the 200 rupees for a visit. The hotel considers the ’Crystal Gallery’ such an attraction that even guests must pay, and consequently you have to suffer streams of tourists traipsing through the hotel passageways to get to the door, deep inside the palace.
If you’ve money to burn, ask for one of the seven suites in the Dovecote wing. They retain the Indian antique furnishings, and some rather pleasant original Mewar paintings. Expect these rooms to be a little threadbare, but also consider it part of the charm. The newer, standard rooms are modern and furnished in the Indian style, and some also deliver lake views. You may need these to restore a little tranquility: the staff at this hotel provide little respite from the Indian hustlers. Outside the safety of your room, you will be constantly asked to eat in a restaurant, drink in the bar, or partake in some other hotel activity.
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