Lake Palace , Udaipur

The Lake Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, arising out of the Turquoise Waters of the Pichola like an elegant fantasy in white marble. The Lake palace was built in the 17th century on a natural foundation of 4 acers of rock. It was initially called Jaginwas after its founder Maharana Jagjit Singh . The Maharana, ruler of Jaipur from 1628 to 1654, was very friendly with Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and encouraged his craftsmen to copy some of the glories of his incomparable buildings at Agra. The successive rulers used this cool haven as their

summer resort, holding their regal durbars in its courtyards. These courtyards lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens all add to its impressive image. The rooms are decorated with cusped arches, inland stones of pink, and green lotus leaves and painted  mirrors. apartments like the Bada Mahal, Kush Mahal, Ajjan Niwas, Phool Mahal and Dhola Mahal. All enhance the romance of the elegant setting. Among the facilities available are swimming pool, conference hall and a bar. Other events of recreation organised here are excursions in and around and a bar other events of recreation organised here are excursions in and around Udaipur .

Also known as Jag Niwas, this stunning lake palace afloat on Lake Pichola, was developed by Rana Jagat Singh II in the 1730s as a pleasure palace because permission had been denied to him by his father to develop the existing island palace of Jag Mandir.

A large number of the palatial apartments here date to this period. Col. James tod described it as follows: "The apartments are decorated with historical paintings in water colours, almost meriting the term fresco from their deep absorption in the wall, though the darker tints have blended with and in part obscured the more delicate shades, from atmospheric causes".

Additions were made in the following century, but the palace was now aging. However, it continued to remain a favourite retreat for the Sisodia family who would come here to get away from the pressures of court.

 In 1961, Maharana Bhagat Singh decided to convert Jag Niwas into a luxury hotel because, as its design-consultant said, '…it seemed the only viable way that it could be maintained'. It caught the fancy of the international who's who immediately, and since 1971, it has been managed by the Taj group of Hotels.

With Pichola Lake surrounding the lake palace, lapping and murmuring, rippling waves make the whole atmosphere very pleasant. All the luxuries of the lake palace have been utilized in making the hotel as attractive and comfortable as possible. This Lake Palace Hotel is considered to be one of the best hotels in the world.