'He who strikes terror in the enemy's eyes is not a real hero. He who wins the hearts of the enemy is the one and only deserving hero.,
These inspiring words of Maharana Pratap still define what the magnificent city of Udaipur stands for. Courage and chivalry are two traits that have never left this kingdom of the past, and its residents still pride themselves in being in the first line of attack, being situated at the north-western frontier of mainland India.
Administratively speaking, Udaipur is located in the state of Rajasthan, a state famous for its vast stretches of desert and perennially parched small towns. One would wonder what kind of a ruler would risk his life for such a kingdom of nothingness. It might not stand this test of logic, but still, it cannot be contested that Udaipur has been among the most cherished of kingdoms for all invaders who have ever tried to conquer India “ from Alexander the Great to Babur of Afghanistan, and from Ahmed Abdali of Ghazni to British colonels of the Empire.
Today, one visit to Udaipur would be enough to decipher most of the underlying reasons for these constant raids and tumultuous periods rooted deep in the sub-conscious of the city. Udaipur, if one is to take an aerial view of it, appears like a lush green oasis amidst the thankless expanses of deadly desert.
Known around the world for its palatial buildings, historical forts, majestic castles and lively folk music, Udaipur is definitely one of the top tourist spots in India that you wouldn't want to miss out on.
And to make sure that you don't, we are presenting this short and nifty guide to Udaipur hotels, so that you can get an idea of what Udaipur holds in store for you.
Looking for Cheap Hotels in and Around Udaipur?
If you are, then cease your search, because we have finally found the best deals you can get on affordable hotels in Udaipur.
Although it's true that Udaipur is a familiar name among tourist circles around the globe for its luxury resorts (more about it later), it should be noted that cheap hotels are quite easy to be found here.
Girnar Villa, for example, is an excellent choice of a hotel that will not let you down, by providing you with a safe and comfortable stay packed with sumptuous meals and complementary Wi Fi.
Hotel Atithi Palace is our next pick, and it is not much unlike Girnar Villa. It is a typical Indian budget hotel with decent rooms and not-so-steep tariff plans. If you wish to stay for periods of longer than one month, you can avail from special discounts, as well.
Amantran Shilpi Resort ranks high among cheap hotels in and around Udaipur, and quite justly so. Although its prices are slightly on the upward side in comparison with the ones mentioned earlier, the resort makes sure that you get good value for your money, by offering you free airport pick-up and drops.
Luxury Resorts in Udaipur: as Good as It Gets!
It is often said that the best resorts in India are not located in major cities in the country. And when it comes to rounding up best resorts in India, Udaipur, more often than not, is the first usual suspect.
The reason for this is very obvious. Udaipur is home to the highest concentration of historic palaces in the country. Many residential buildings in Udaipur can be dated back to 15th and 16th century, with some having seen even more centuries than those. Many of these palaces have now been restored and transformed into luxurious resorts that consistently make the top of lists in terms of opulence, extravagance and the class of hospitality.
Take the Lake Palace Udaipur, for example. Spread over an expanse of over 25 acres, it is one luxury hotel that has always made every list of quality luxury resorts compiled in last ten years. After all, how many resorts can claim to own a natural lake of their own?
Among other luxury hotels in Udaipur, Trident Udaipur and Amargarh Udaipur are two hot favorites of tourists, as well. Both are fairly similar properties, featuring similar amenities.
All said and done, you should know that to stay at any of the top Udaipur hotels is going to set you back by $500 or more, per night!
Alternative Lodging Options in Udaipur
Well, not everyone can afford to splurge that kind of money per night, can they?
That's why, we would suggest our budget conscious readers the option of hiring a summer villa or a private house in Udaipur, instead of living at a five star hotel. Many home owners put their properties up for rent in order to earn some money off their investments, and if you are in good luck, you can manage to secure a nice deal on such villas.
Hotel Mukund Villas is one representative example of this lodging category. Located in the heart of the old city, it offers all the facilities to its guests that one can expect to find in one's own house!
Hotels in the Vicinity of Udaipur Airport
Udaipur is serviced by a solitary domestic airport (Maharana Pratap Airport) that connects the city with all major cities in the country. Since the airport is located at a distance of about 25 km from the city, tourists may feel the need to find a suitable hotel near the airport.
But as it turns out, no dependable lodging options exist near the airport, forcing tourists to travel to Udaipur, regardless.
Getting Around in Udaipur
Udaipur, in itself, is not really a large city. It can be easily traversed on foot, if the weather is forgiving enough.
If not, you always have the option of renting a private car, or just hailing an auto-rickshaw. Auto-rickshaws are the most cost effective mode of local transport here, with minimum fares starting at about 50 rupees (approximately $1). Daily rental of an auto-rickshaw can be even cheaper than this.