Picolo recommends · Hotel in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Taj Lake Palace
The boat pulls away from the jetty, the city falls behind, and a white marble palace seems to float in the middle of Lake Pichola.
Water laps at the steps as you arrive, and behind you the shore is lined with Udaipur's ghats, the broad stone steps down to the lake, and palaces. Taj Lake Palace covers an island in Lake Pichola, and with no bridge, every arrival and departure is by boat.
The palace dates from the 1740s, when it was raised as a royal summer retreat, and it is faced in white marble. Film fans know it from Octopussy, the James Bond film that used it as a location. Today it ranks among the most famous hotels anywhere.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Taj Lake Palace
We chose it as our most romantic stay in India. Few hotels give you an arrival like this, and in the evening, with the city lit up around the lake, you understand why people build a whole trip around a night here.
The island is small, so there is little room to roam, and you depend on the boat to get anywhere. Ask for a room facing the lake, as those are the ones worth the price. Spend your days in town and keep the hotel for evenings.
What you get
- Boat transfer to the island
- 1740s summer palace in white marble
- Lake-facing rooms
- Terrace over Lake Pichola
- Pool in the courtyard
A day at Taj Lake Palace
- Morning
- Breakfast as the haze lifts off Lake Pichola.
- Midday
- Across by boat to the City Palace on the shore.
- Afternoon
- A walk through the lanes and bazaars of the old town.
- Evening
- Drinks on the terrace as the city lights reflect on the water.
Location
Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Open in MapsQuestions about Taj Lake Palace
How do you get to Taj Lake Palace?
Only by boat. Guests are taken across from the shore, so you cross the water every time you arrive or leave the island.
Was Octopussy filmed at Taj Lake Palace?
Yes. Parts of the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy were shot here, and many visitors still recognise the palace from it.
Which rooms are best at Taj Lake Palace?
The rooms facing the lake. They give you the water and the city skyline outside the window, which is the whole reason to stay on the island, so ask for one when you book.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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