Taj Lake Palace

Built by Udaipur’s erstwhile king Maharana Jagat Singh II, this 18th-century summer palace is one of India’s most famous hotels. Originally called Jag Niwas, it is one of the four islands in Lake Pichola and was the setting for the James Bond film Octopussy. The four-acre marble building rests in the middle of the lake, while a boat transport guests from the shore. Inside, its 83 rooms and suites are lavishly furnished with murals, silk upholstery and antique wooden furniture. It also houses the Jiva Spa and four excellent restaurants, with personal butlers to complete the royal experience. Guests are pampered with exclusive experiences such as a sunset cruise, a candlelight cruise on the imperial barge, spa therapies on a relaxation boat, vintage car drives and animal excursions.