The Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

4).

The Vintage coupé glides to a stop at the lake’s edge. It’s hard to believe the floating vision in marble is real. Blink, and indeed, there is a luminous palace emerging from the mist. Suddenly you are in a boat, drifting ever closer and the reality doesn’t disappoint. With the Aravalli Mountains and city palaces as a backdrop one gets an impending sense of enchantment.

Accommodations at Taj Lake Palace, a Leading Small Hotel, are as delightful as the exterior. Every one of our romantic rooms holds a story and among the most compelling is The Chandra Prakash Suite, meaning Lustre of the Moon. The decorative gilt moldings, sculpted marble columns, and fine fretwork screens impressed even the Maharaja who held court in this very room in the 1930s.

Built to resemble the world famous landmark of the same name, this hotel is a masterful example of India elegance with white marble interiors housing an excellent spa. Butlers are on hand at all times to make sure you are treated like royalty and if you can drag yourself away from all the opulence there is some spectacular scenery outside including the Lake Pichola. Doubles from INR 19,500 per night.

         The Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India