Taj Fateh Prakash Palace

I am so happy that this was the hotel I selected for our second night in Udaipur; the first night being at the Taj Lake Palace. My reasons are these: we only had three days in Udaipur and it was most efficient to be right there near the City Palace and amazing shopping, and to be able to gaze out at the beautiful palace where we had just stayed and absorb it in a bit longer! Also, the price was much easier on the wallet, although I did feel the difference and wish I had sprung for a bigger room with a balcony. We enjoyed the complimentary golf cart rides that took us to the market, at the end of the City Palace, and when we were done shopping we called and they promptly sent the golf cart to pick us up again. Then when we were ready to tour the City Palace, which is adjacent to the hotel, the golf cart took us back over! It isn't that far, but since it is quite a steep slope we were happy for the rides. The hotel offered a complimentary heritage tour around the hotel and adjacent palace, which was the best of any of that we took. The guide spoke English with a comprehensible accent and so we got much more of the interesting history of the Maharanas of Mewar! He also had some great tips on where to find the art we were seeking to purchase. At sunset the hotel presents a traditional ceremony, the Aarthi, on the steps to the lake, with the fire ritual and singing of five men. Our dinner there was excellent, with a view of Lake Pichola, and the breakfast buffet was extensive and delicious also! I had originally been intending to stay at a famous five-star property on the west end of the lake, but given that we were only there such a short time, this was a great value and excellent choice. The views from the hotel of the lake are really exquisite!