A night at the Lake Palace 7-28-2011

     We then went through security at the lake palace dock and said farewell to the Udaivilas boat. The lake palace boat then took us to the lake palace. As we disembarked, the doorman told us that we had the best suites in the hotel. We figured he was just blowing us some smoke.
      Interestingly, I had booked our room at the Lake Palace a couple of months go. I got a good rate for this unique  'only in the world' accomodation. The Lake Palace Hotel is operated by Taj Hotels International. The Lake Palace is its own island in Lake Pichola. The initial structure was built by the Majahrana of Udaipur. The property has been owned in the Majahrana's family since that time. In 1948, when India was granted independence, the Majahranas from throughout the country were stripped of their power. The Majahrana of Udaipur had ruled over about 500,000 people at any given point during the times of the Majahrana.
     The government taxed the Majahranas tremendously in an effort to wrest their massive assets (accumulated over centuries) away from them. However, the Majahranas were able to hang on to some assets by finding waysto generate income. In the case of the majahrana of Udaipur, he was able to convert the City Palace to a money generating museum as well as two hotels and a restaurant. He was able to convert the Lake Palace in 1963 to one of the nicest hotels in the world. It is also the setting of the villain's lair in the James Bond movie 'Octopussy'.  
      I booked the room for me and Fariba through Travelocity. It is luck of the draw as far as room quality when you book Travelocity. About two weeks before we came to Udaipur, we learned that the Lake Palace does not allow three people to a room. As such, we were required to book a second room for Troy. In that the rooms are somewhat expensive (!) I asked for a discount which they gave me. What we did not anticipate was that the hotel would put us in perhaps the most beautiful hotel room in the world and definitely the nicest one at the Lake Palace. And they put Troy next door in a room that was almost equally as nice. Both rooms adjoined the swimming pool and spa area. I am putting up  pictures of our rooms.
     After arriving by boat at the Lake Palace, our hostess then took us in to a seating area where we were served cold sweet lime drimks. The hostess then came and took us on a tour of the hotel. There was an open air reading area with very comfortable seating. There was a marble dance floor and then across to a bar and then an outdoor seating area by the edge of the lake. There were two restaurants, one informal and the other more formal. There was the famed lotus pond in the courtyard along with tropical gardens. She led us on to our room and opened the door revealing a grand room with a swing in the center. Stained glass windows with a seating niche with view of the city palace. Another seating area with a a couch and chairs and fresh fruit. A huge bathroom including his and her sinks, a tub, shower and bidet. 
     There is even a swing outside the room. Swings are found in many homes in India and we are told that people swing in them particularly at monsoon to celebrate the life brought by water. The room is simply one of the most beautiful well-appointed spaces, we have seen in our lives. 
     Then we went to Troy's room. Keep in mind that when I booked the first room, it was my intention that it be shared by me, Fariba and Troy. The hotel later told me there was a limit of two persons per room and the staff insisted that I book another room for Troy. They gave me a discount and I booked the room. I figured they would give Troy a standard room but instead they put him in a suite equally impressive to the one for me and Fariba. The ceiling crown moldings are probably four feet high. The decor is more British than our room but it is equally fascinating.
    We Skyped Cyrus and showed him the hotel. Then we had drinks as the rain began to lightly fall, momentarily our guests arrived for drinks and dinner. We had invited Mr. and Mrs. Bhupendra Singh to thank them for being such a gracious host family for Troy this summer. We enjoyed drinks while watching a beautiful traditional Rajasthani dance by two dancers backed by three musicians. After the performance we walked around the courtyard of the hotel in the pouring rain with the Singhs. The staff scrambling to hold umbrellas over us. We wanted the Singhs to see the rooms. Then we had dinner,eating traditional Rajsthani food. On to the room and bed, worn out and felling very blessed. 
     The next morning we got up and lounged by the pool and enjoyed chai. In our room, the sun reflected off of the water and through the stained glass to form shimmering colorful waves on the walls and ceiling of the room, looking like a miniature aurora borealis. Then it was time for lunch and our bags to be loaded for the short trip to the mainland.
     When we checked out of the Lake Palace, we learned from the desk clerk that the regular rate for our room was $4,500! We did not even pay in that universe for the room, so don't think that we are insane. It is the off season here and all three of the hotels we stayed in in Udaipur were almost completely empty. Additionally, we were coming from the Udaivilas and the Lake Palace knew this. We are speculating that the Lake Palace was making a bid for our future business. What ever the reasons, it seemed like a fairy tale, once in a lifetime experience.
     It was now time to go experience the world of Delhi. . .