Places we will stay … 4) Udaipur
Lake Pichola Hotel.
Outside Chandpole. Udaipur – 313001
Lake Pichola, situated in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD, named after the nearby Picholi village.
Villers-la-Ville, Belgium ;Reviewed August 22, 2012.
Came to Udaipur on the last leg of a tour in India and stayed at this hotel.
Getting to the hotel was a bit of a nightmare having to negotiate VERY narrow streets with cattle, tuk-tuks, rickshaws etc. In some places only one vehicle was able to pass along the road and consequently there were occasions when one (or the other) had to reverse to find adequate space to allow two vehicles to pass each other. Parking facilities at the hotel were very limited.Not the hotel’s fault!Ed
The hotel is a haveli which like many in India has been converted into a small hotel.
The Reception, lobby and dining area were really fabulous and beautifully decorated with views across the lake.The hotel is located right next to lake Pichola and has wonderful views from the terrace, of the city, ghats and amber fort across the water. Really picturesque and romantic! There is also an outdoor roof-top dining area and a small swimming pool. We were unable to use the roof-top restaurant as there was light rain at the time. However, we were very adequately served in the dining room on the ground floor, next to the lobby although it took a bit longer because the food was prepared next to the roof-top restaurant.
Our room was quite large with something like a dormer window (area) overlooking the lake. This area served as the third bed for my son. Unfortunately for him, it must have been ridden with bed-bugs eek! Ed…because the following morning he had several bites and swellings on his arms and wrists - and these were definitely NOT mosquito bites!
The towels provided were damp and as seems to be the case in several hotels in India, were grey in colour and not white. Have they not heard of bleach? When I complained, we were provided with brand-new, sparkling white towels which I am sure had never been previously used judging by the fact that they were not very absorbant.
After the first night when I went to have a shower, discovered there was no hot water. Complained to Reception and someone was sent up. He informed me that a little button on the lighting switch panel needed to have been depressed. I asked him how were we expected to know this? Obviously they didn’t tell you because they HATED you! Ed There was a jug of water supplied in the room unlike all the other hotels which supplied bottled water. So we had no idea of the provenance of what was in the jug! WHAT!? Providence is a fucking big word for a fucking wanker!! Ed
Decided to have breakfast and allow the water to heat up. Went back to the room after approximately one hour - still no hot water!
Rang our tour operator in Delhi and complained about the conditions and they said they would sort something out whilst we were on a tour of the fort and a boat ride on the lake.
Came back and were offered and shown another room in a much cleaner state which we accepted. Was later introduced to the owner of the hotel who apologised, saying that they were continually fully booked which made it difficult to clean the rooms properly. I told him that he should prevent occupation of each room for a day in rotation and thoroughly clean out the room. He accepted my suggestion and it will be interesting to see if other future guests note any change.
As some sort of compensation, we later found three bags of potato crisps and three small bars of Cadbury's milk chocolate in the room!
Really such a pity as with a bit of TLC this could be such a great hotel - especially with the lakeside location it enjoys and with little shops and restaurants outside the hotel gates.
I sincerely hope that my complaints and suggestions are taken to heart to improve conditions in the hotel. PLEASE.WON’T. SOME.ONE.GIVE.ME.A.GUN? Ed
Begin a Line producer i was searching a Royal Heritage property at Udaipur......one day i reached at this place .......me and my producer finalize 2 sweets for the shoot........beside tht Owners Mrs Ragni Singh Ji and Mr S P Singh ji are always at Reception to check the hospitality......And finally the Roof Top Restaurant is one of the Best Roof top in Rajasthan ***Must visit this property if you are in Udaipur-Rajasthan
5 star. TRIP ADVISOR “Fantastic” by Traveldoc71;Reviewed August 3, 2012
We stayed at this hotel for just one night and thats where we made a mistake. We should have stayed for at least two more days. One because there is so much to see and feel in Udaipur and two because this is a great place to stay.
This hotel is located at the best possible location. It is right next to the lake and one can view the city palace right across. Although getting there takes some effort because the old city has very narrow lanes, but the effort is worth it.
Once inside you feel like having walked into a kings palace. The place has a warm and comforting feel to it. The staff is very courteous and helping. The manager can advice you about the sight seeing in and around Udaipur also.
The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. The view from the balcony is fantabulous. You are sitting right at the edge of the lake. During the day you can see all the old buildings on the other side of the lake and watch and actually hear the people across the lake. At night it gets even better, specially from the roof top restaurant, when you can see the illuminated palaces. The view from the roof top is amazing. The restaurant staff is also very well mannered and the food was great. To summarize, it is the best place to stay in Udaipur and real value for money.
This hotel has the most beautiful view of Udaipur, specially from the rooftop. Each room has an balcony where you can look and listen what is happening at the other side of the lake. It's just beautiful. The hotel is an old palace with a wonderful collection of old pictures and paintings.The staff is very, very nice and helpful.
I totally recomend having a swim in the lake and crossing to the floating palace!!