RAAS Devigarh, Udaipur

The all-suite luxury resort of RAAS Devigarh takes the traditional Indian aesthetics to a contemporary era. The hotel pays homage to the classic décor but also injects it with a chic design that appeals to the modern traveler’s taste.

It’s astonishing that there aren’t more hotels like the RAAS Devigarh. Not because 18th-century palace hotels are a dime a dozen in India, certainly they aren’t, but because the contrast between the faded majesty of the exterior and the sparkling modernity of the interiors is so striking.

Of course, a part of the impact depends upon the novelty of looking out from your all-white marble-floored minimalist fantasy of a suite through traditional jharoka windows over the rugged Rajasthani countryside.

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Contemporary palace

To be fair, “minimalist” is only accurate if you’re squinting very hard. The color palette is as simple as can be, but marble is a damn sight more expensive than the white-painted gypsum board the average boutique hotel room is made of — to say nothing of malachite, lapis lazuli, mother of pearl.

At the bottom, RAAS Devigarh is still a palace, just a contemporary one. As such it comes with all the extravagant trappings of the contemporary luxury hotel. There’s an Ayurvedic spa, offering everything from massages to beauty treatments to yoga, as well as a fully-equipped gym and a heated swimming pool. The restaurant blends Indian traditions with European cuisines and an extensive wine cellar.

Review with contributions from Tablet Hotels.

in our opinion

What we love

• Amazing restoration of a traditional royal palace with beautiful details and materials, including marble and semi-precious stones. The result is beautiful and inspiring
• Confident minimalist design that takes inspiration from the heritage building
• The exquisite interiors are complemented by personalized and intimate service
• The hotel's serene setting that includes scattered courtyards and gardens—and enables spectacular views
• Sublime spa. It offers a range of well-being massages and other pampering treatments in a luxurious setting
• Candlelit dining experience: “romantic” doesn't get better than dining with a view of the mountain peaks lit by the moon
• Nice location, at a comfortable distance from Udaipur, well situated for trips to the scenic ancient city and for tours of the Jain temples in the surrounding countryside

What you should know

• Devi Garh is located some 30 to 45 minutes from Udaipur and its airport
• The hotel offers many activities: kite flying, camel and horse rides, jeep safari, trekking and walks, bicycle rides, star gazing and croquet
• Young children stay free of charge (up to twelve years old)
• Getting there: The flight-comparison sites such as Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.com) or Kayak (www.kayak.com) will help you find the best flights and deals.