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Heritage Haveli Stays in Udaipur

What it's like to stay in a heritage haveli or palace hotel in Udaipur, which ones to look at and what to expect from old buildings.

By the Shades of Udaipur team Published Updated 2 min read
A historic palace complex under a clear blue sky
A historic palace complex under a clear blue sky. Photo by Aditya Parikh on Unsplash
Quick answer

Heritage stays in Udaipur range from family-run havelis in the Old City to restored palaces on the lakes. Expect thick walls, courtyards, painted rooms and rooftop views, but also steep stairs, smaller bathrooms and fewer lifts. Well-rated options include Fateh Garh, Fateh Niwas, Rampratap Palace, Devendra Garh, Chandra Vilas and Hotel Janak Niwas.

Key facts

  • Haveli: a traditional townhouse built around courtyards
  • Many heritage hotels are still owned by noble families
  • Ask about lifts and stairs before booking

Staying in a haveli is one of the best ways to feel Udaipur’s history. You sleep where merchants, ministers or nobles once lived.

What to expect

The good:

  • Courtyards, jharokhas (carved balconies) and painted walls.
  • Rooftop terraces, often with lake views.
  • Personal service, often from the family who own it.
  • Rajasthani dinners on the terrace.

The trade-offs:

  • Steep, narrow stairs and often no lift.
  • Smaller bathrooms in older rooms.
  • Thick walls that block Wi-Fi.
  • Old-City noise early in the morning.

Heritage and boutique stays to look at

From our hotels page:

  • Fateh Garh by Fateh Collection, on a hilltop west of Pichola.
  • Rampratap Palace by Fateh Collection, near Fateh Sagar.
  • Fateh Niwas and Fateh Vilas, west of Lake Pichola.
  • Devendra Garh, north-west Udaipur.
  • Chandra Vilas Heritage Stay, central Udaipur.
  • Hotel Janak Niwas, in the Old City.

For full palace hotels, see luxury palace hotels.

How to choose

  1. Old City haveli if you want to walk everywhere.
  2. Hilltop or lakeside heritage hotel for views and calm.
  3. Ask about the room: heritage rooms vary a lot within one property.
  4. Ask about stairs if anyone in your group has limited mobility. See Udaipur for senior travellers.

A little history

Many havelis in Udaipur were built in the 18th and 19th centuries by the city’s merchant and noble families. Bagore Ki Haveli, now a museum, shows how they were lived in.

Want a recommendation for your dates? Talk to a local.

The ornate facade of an Indian palace at night
The ornate facade of an Indian palace at night. Photo by Anshul Gurjar on Unsplash

Frequently asked questions

What is a haveli?

A traditional Rajasthani townhouse built around one or more courtyards, often with carved balconies (jharokhas) and painted walls.

Are heritage hotels in Udaipur expensive?

They range widely: simple havelis from around ₹3,000–5,000 a night, restored palaces much more.

Are heritage hotels suitable for older travellers?

Some are. Many havelis have steep stairs and no lift, so ask before booking or choose a newer heritage-style property.

Written by the Shades of Udaipur team, who have been sharing Udaipur's food, festivals and hidden corners since 2016. Prices and timings change; if something here is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.

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