The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur

The spa left me feeling completely pampered and rejuvenated, and the team made me feel celebrated throughout my solo birthday stay at The Oberoi Udaivilas. There were cakes, birthday wishes, and handwritten notes, plus Victoria made me a beautiful DIY tiara just for me. Such a personal touch. Even arriving at the lobby driveway, I was greeted warmly by the security team and felt at home. It was more than a birthday trip for me, it was time to celebrate self-love and make memories on my own. Thank you, Udaivilas, for a magical experience I’ll treasure.

Our anniversary dinner at Mewar by Vineet was very good. The food, cocktails, and service inside the restaurant were exceptional, and our daughter, who is 2, thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Sadly, the end of the evening turned a family celebration into a deeply disappointing experience. When I booked, I told reservations that we were a family of three and needed a ride back to Taj Lake Palace after dinner. They assured me Oberoi could arrange a boat drop until 10 PM at no charge if booked through the hotel. We relied on that and made the reservation. But after dinner, staff escorted us to the pier and we found no transport arranged. My wife, our toddler, and I were left at a dark lakeside pier while staff tried to work out who was responsible. A boatman was there and could have taken us across. One guard even said it was unsafe to leave a family with a small child there and asked the boatman to take us. Instead, both of them left, and we were alone. For several minutes there was no visible staff member to help or reassure us. Bats were flying low, and we were standing beside the lake in darkness with our toddler. The people who had recognized the risk walked away instead of making sure we got back safely. The guard and boatman only came back once the Taj boat arrived to pick us up. I had arranged it myself within minutes by calling Taj directly. That left me feeling that guest safety and accountability weren't being taken seriously. Mistakes and delays can happen, but leaving guests, especially a family with a 2-year-old, at an isolated, dark pier after acknowledging it was unsafe is not acceptable. Luxury hospitality is also about looking after people when plans go wrong. Mr Tilak later tried to reach us so this truth could be hidden on the public forum, and invited us to visit again. But he couldn't answer my questions about our family's safety, and they still haven't taken corrective action. It was a shameful attempt to get the review deleted from the public forum.

The pool was my favorite part. I spent hours there in the peaceful atmosphere. Our room was beautiful, and the property feels vast, elegant, and like a modern wonder, blending luxury with Rajasthan’s beauty. The hospitality was exceptional from the moment we arrived, and the complimentary room upgrade made our magical stay even more special.

The grounds were a pleasure to walk around, expansive and immaculately kept. Our rooms were clean and well maintained, and housekeeping decorated mine for my birthday, which was a lovely surprise. The property shows no signs of age. We were especially well looked after by Worrin and Vandan. Dhruv at reception thoughtfully handled every request, and the security team greeted us warmly each time we came back. Mukesh, a delightful boatman, took us for a magical ride across the lake and back. I’d also recommend eating at Mewar. The cocktails were superb, and the food was distinctive and exquisite.