Like the secret gateway to Narnia, and just as magical, this glorious 18th-century fort-palace - imposingly grand with its ramparts of domes, turrets and balconies - reveals an inverse interior that's gleaming, sleekly minimalist and quite breathtaking. You're suddenly encased in a modern and airy hotel, delicately carved from white marble and sweeping sheets of glass to create a clean, uncluttered aura that's a rarity in Rajasthan.
Flashes of colour - the walls are hung with dramatic art or sparkle with semi-precious inlaid stones - highlight the elegant suites spread over the 14 floors of RAAS Devigarh. Venture from these superb hideaways for an Ayurvedic massage, a splash in the green marble pool, or supper in the pavilion restaurant, with spectacular views over the Aravalli hills to the tiny Delwara village below. This vista of eternal India from one of the country’s most contemporary constructions is an unbeatable combination for romantics and families alike. Exquisite.
Highs
- The old fort exquisitely fuses traditional and modern style - our jaws hit the ground as we arrived
- The suites are all epic and totally unique; many have mind-blowing views over the surrounding landscape
- There's a huge green marble pool and sublime views from all areas of the fort
- Outstanding service, plus an excellent restaurant and terrace for sundowners
- The marvellous spa offers a range of exclusive pampering treatments
Lows
- Some would say it's too far from Udaipur, but we see it as the perfect base for visiting the increasingly large and polluted city
- Returning guests may feel that the hotel has lost some of its former shabby charm in favour of full-on glamour
- As this is a bit of a labyrinth, there are many steps to get up and down - but there is a lift
- The extras - transfers, food, drinks - are pricey
Best time to go
The best time to visit is from October to early April, when it's dry, warm and less humid (though nights can be chilly). Temperatures rise to around 38C from March onwards, before the monsoon season arrives in July. The rains usually last until the end of September, though RAAS Devigarh remains open all year round.
Our top tips
This hotel is a beautiful maze. Stay for at least 2-3 days; you'll wish you could stay longer in this unique masterpiece, and a week could easily be filled by all of the local sightseeing and relaxation options. If you're travelling around India, considering pairing your experience with a stay at sister property RAAS Jodhpur.
Location
RAAS Devigarh is set in the Aravalli hills above the village of Delwara, in the heart of rural Rajasthan, 45 minutes' drive from Udaipur.
By Air:
Udaipur (28km) is the nearest airport. It's served by internal flights from India's major international hubs, including Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay). The hotel can arrange transfers from the airport.
By Train:
Udaipur is easily reached by rail from Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Ahmedabad and Delhi. From the station it's a 1-hour journey to RAAS DeviGarh, and transfers can be arranged.
Getting Around:
The hotel can arrange cars with drivers and organise excursions.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Rajasthan and getting around
Airports:
- Udaipur 28.0 km UDR
Other:
- Beach 600.0 km
- Shops 30.0 km
- Restaurant 30.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Take the heritage tour of this fabulous hotel to get a real feel for the splendour of the old palace with its carefully restored wall paintings and hidden rooms. Huge bedroom and sumptuous marble bathroom with lovely views across the countryside from all the windows. Although it appears to be a large hotel, it actually only has less than 40 rooms and you never felt that it was too busy. Beautiful gardens with raised beds full of flowers and it is also worth taking a walk around the abundant and beautifully maintained vegetable garden which provides all the veg for the hotel. Enthusiastic and friendly staff - ask them about the activities on offer. We took a bicycle ride through the local villages and fields to the foot of one of the hills and then walked up to the temple at the top (about three quarters of an hour uphill but not too strenuous) - best done early in the morning before it gets too hot and it probably took us the best part of four hours. Wonderful. Food is good and nice touches like little bowls of sorbet are brought to your sunbed by the pool. Breakfast is a little chaotic - we were never clear as to whether we should help ourselves to the buffet or wait for table service and the bread was disappointing for a hotel of this calibre. Croissant and pastries on offer as well so not a hardship! Having been to Udaipur a couple of times before, we did not take a tour into the town but we saw people who came out from it to Devigarh for lunch who said that they would have preferred to be outside the town like us. Fabulous stay.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape