"Padharo Mhaare Des" might be a popular tagline for Rajasthan, but it is also a powerful sentiment that spreads its fragrance around in their hospitality, their culture, their food and heritage. In the brilliant city of lakes, Udaipur, this sentiment is even more pronounced.
From the moment you arrive, you’re not just a tourist, but an honoured guest. A feeling that grew stronger as we set foot inside the waiting BMW, which had arrived to pick us up from the Maharana Pratap Airport. Half an hour later, we reached Udaipur Marriott Hotel, a majestic five-star property which marks Marriott International’s debut in Udaipur. With the Fateh Safar Lake gleaming in the distance and the Aravalli hills as the backdrop, the 227-room hotel is a beautiful marriage between contemporary luxury and the city’s royal heritage.
Vaibhav Sagar, General Manager, Udaipur Marriott Hotel, told us, “Designed to reflect Udaipur’s regal charm, the hotel offers elegant accommodations, world-class dining, modern event spaces, and exceptional amenities. Weaving Rajasthan’s rich heritage with contemporary comforts, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for every guest, whether travelling for business or leisure."
After being serenaded by a folk artist playing a musical instrument at the entrance and being welcomed with a refreshing mocktail and the traditional tika on the forehead, we made our way to one of their 24 suites. The doors opened to a spacious living room with a large television, tea and coffee facilities, comfortable sofas to lounge around in and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a view of its green surroundings. Right from the plush bedding in the bedroom and the premium amenities, including a bathtub in the bathroom, the suite was a welcome respite post the journey.
Lunch hour drew closer, and very soon, we found ourselves seated in Okra, the hotel’s all-day dining venue with an indoor as well as alfresco area. The restaurant offers regional cuisine as well as international delicacies, but we were here for their popular Mewar thali. However, before laying down the heavy-duty meal for us to savour, Executive Chef Mohit Mishra presented a delicious Rajasthan mezze platter with tadka labneh and garlic chutney hummus served with bajra pita bread. The lavash came peppered with a hint of local Mathania chillies, adding a spicy kick to the proceedings. A showcase of some of the raw ingredients followed – from the ker and sangri to the rock salt and gatta – local ingredients which rev up their thali.
Our appetites sufficiently whetted, we waited as the chef proceeded to explain the Mewar thali to us. The colourful platter consisted of delicacies such as laal maas, jungli murgh, ker sangri, chakke ki sabji, panchmel dal, gatta pulao, garlic chutney, vinegar onions and pickle. Served with bajra roti and buttermilk, the thali also consisted of mini malai ghevar and churma laddoo. Not only were the dishes visually appealing, they provided a glimpse into the many spices, textures and techniques that make Rajasthani cuisine such an indulgent and flavourful meal. Similarly, we were treated to a delicious dal baati choorma thali the next day for lunch, and we were hard-pressed to decide which one we liked more!
The only way to honour the wholesome lunch on the first day was to take a leisurely nap, and we did so happily. Post the siesta and accompanied by Paramjot Soni, the Marketing & Communications Manager, we went for a little tour of the hotel, admiring the stunning Thikri and Shekhawati artwork as well as architectural features such as jharokhas and arches, reflecting authentic Rajasthani designs. The hotel boasts one of the city’s largest pillarless ballrooms and several meeting and pre-function areas. There’s even a bridal room for the dulhan to get ready before making her grand entrance for the pheras and other wedding-related rituals. They are also in the process of building a wedding studio and cabanas on the ground floor in order to cater to all the requirements of the bride and groom.
The swimming pool on the rooftop looked inviting, but we had other plans, which included boating at the scenic Lake Pichola. Starting from the famed City Palace, the boat took us on a ride across the serene lake with stunning views of the palaces, mansions, restaurants and ghats surrounding it. Tour guide and historian Suresh Gothwal drew our attention to Jag Mandir, the famous tourist spot on an island in the middle of the lake, where we were headed. The beautiful palace with expansive gardens built in the 1620s is now used to host private parties and weddings. There’s also a quaint restaurant for delicious meals flanked by a rose garden and frangipani trees. Gothwal shared that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan hid in the palace for a while when he was in revolt against his father. He also mentioned that the design for Taj Mahal was inspired by Jag Mandir’s impressive architecture.
Back in the hotel, we sampled their fusion Mewari Charlie with offerings such as gatta chaat, badam jowar cookies, deconstructed mirchi vadas, chocolate ghevar, and boondi biscoff cake, among other sweets and savouries, along with a refreshing cup of masala chai at the beautiful Jasper Courtyard. The green lawns came alive with the sounds and sights of folk artists performing traditional dance and music, as we savoured the tea.
Lulled into a comfortable zone, we decided to treat ourselves to a spa treatment at the Quan Spa that offers Ayurvedic as well as modern therapies such as Udwarthanam Detox Scrub, Oriental Back Massage, Sandal and Saffron Wrap and Aromatherapy, among others. We chose the 30-minute Foot Reflexology and Ziri, our spa therapist, massaged and cajoled all the fatigue from our legs and feet. Dinner was another wholesome affair as we indulged in delicacies such as kodi kura and tandoori kukkad under the stars. Lead mixologist Shivansh Dhyani impressed with creative cocktails such as Raat Ki Rani and Savere Ka Raja. All that deliciousness ensured that we slept like babies in the comfort of our rooms later at night.
Address: Tiger Hills, Badi Road, Near Fateh Sagar Lake, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India 313001
Tariff: Starts at INR 16,000 and above during the off-season (April to September), and INR 15,000 and above during October to March
How to Reach Udaipur Marriott Hotel?
The hotel is approximately a 35-minutes-drive by road from Maharana Pratap Airport.
For bookings and other details check their: website: https://www.marriott.com/udmrc
