Raffles dazzles India

An exclusive lake for an exclusive top end global luxury hotel. The world’s only 16th Raffles, right in the midst of the Udai Sagar Lake surrounded by the Aravalis in Udaipur, Rajasthan. How is that to entice anyone? Could one ask for a better setting?

Raffles has arrived in India in style and Oh My God! it stands out and how? First look at this sun-washed beauty from the Lakeshore just as you embark from your limo right in the centre of an enchanting and calm lake with its copper dome and imposing pillars and it floors you in absolute awe.

CALM SITS RAFFLES UDAIPUR UNDER THE SUN IN UDAI SAGAR LAKE

The Udai Sagar Lake, the last one in the chain of the Udaipur lake system, is one of the largest manmade basins created by Maharana Udai Singh II in mid-16th century to meet the demands of water of his kingdom.

Look at the audacity of Accor. They built the iconic Raffles Udaipur right in the middle of this striking, serene lake. With only 15 other properties all over the globe, with this 16th, the brand reflects the mood of its location with a personality that is both intimate and luxurious. 

Barely 10 km from the airport, tucked away from the hustle-bustle of city chaos, Raffles Udaipur is 12 km from the city. Beautifully spread over 21 acres on this private island, 17 acres of which are all to nature, lush and flowing carefully manicured greens.

Each luxury hotel is a carefully woven story and the start has to be spot on. And spot on it is with how Accor has done it with Raffles Udaipur. You fall in love as soon as you arrive at the Raffles Lakeshore check-in. A short walk to the jetty leads you to the awaiting boats. For the uninitiated, as the name suggests, the Raffles Lakeshore is your first touch point in a brilliant setting at the shores of the Udai Sagar Lake from where you sail through the calm waters, in style, to the grand entrance of India’s first Raffles Hotel on a well-appointed electric boat.

Raffles Udaipur story started nearly a decade ago when the owners dreamt of building a luxury hotel that would reflect Udaipur, but with its own identity. Essentially artists at heart, architects and designers have their own story to relate on their canvas. Ten years in the making, a renowned international architect wove his own to tell in this West meets East tale when he designed the imposing Raffles that we see today. A fine blend of British architecture with Rajasthani and Mughal influences for a theme, Raffles Udaipur reflects timeless sophistry of yore with the typical Accor connoisseurship for the world traveller.

With its regal opulence and the luxury of expansive flowing greens, as you take your first steps upon anchoring at the arrival jetty, beautiful baroque gardens greet you on each side of this beautifully laid-out passage which walks you to the polo lawn welcoming you to Raffles Udaipur. 

A breathtaking water body with its Udaipuri fountains, the signature copper dome atop, also inspired by local heritage are a standout. With the two Egyptian obelisks at the entrance and the Roman style Palladian pillars that serenade the asset, the story gradually unfolds. 

This arrival at the Great Hall opens one to a majestically magnificent waiting area with its imperial stairs on both sides that add to the setting. Greetings and ceremonial welcome done. What is different at Raffles Udaipur is the absence of a front office, concierge and lobby, so common to a luxury hotel. Well, just in case you missed it, the check-in formalities were taken care of at the Raffles Lakeshore where the butlers took charge of your belongings.

We were pleased to interact with the General Manager of Raffles Udaipur. A hotelier of eminent stock and experience, this proud scion of an Air Force fighter pilot’s family, Abhishek Sharma had a niche for the hospitality industry quite early in life. Soon after his graduation, it was formal hotel management for him. With over two decades behind him, Sharma is now a well-recognised leader. Given his experience in luxury hospitality, Raffles Udaipur has a good skipper standing in charge. He has this to tell us, “Under normal circumstances, Raffles Udaipur would have opened to welcome guests in the beginning of 2020. It would have been home to travellers, both from overseas as well as within India. But the last year-and-a-half have been how they have been. Now with the Golden Triangle push, it has become a lot easier for the guests to travel distances. Indians want to get away and relax with a good holiday and Udaipur is a well-connected and a perfect destination. Raffles Udaipur is ready to offer the very best experience.”

HOME AWAY… RELAX AND UNWIND

With 101 well-appointed rooms and suites with modern comforts and amenities, Raffles Udaipur has an inventory of 84 rooms and 17 suites including a Presidential Suite. 

With an exclusive lake and its migratory stock of birds, the rooms are aptly themed Flamingo and they start with 62 m to each room with an extended balcony that provides a captivating views of the Aravalis and the Udai Sagar Lake.

The 16 suites are with two distinctions: Raffles Manor Suite and Raffles Oasis Suite with Pool. An illustrious world in themselves, Raffles Manor Suites are decorated with niche interiors and feature plush furnishing, mother of pearl and bone inlay furniture, and a perfect elegance to embrace serenity. Raffles Oasis Suite with Pool takes you into a contemporary styled space that is fused with traditionally inspired handcrafted décor.

Adorned with European architectural styles and intricately designed interiors, the Presidential Suite is an exclusive abode for the seekers of luxury. It is grand yet intimate and comprises a hush palette and an ultra-generous bathroom. Ornamented with timeless décor inspired by rich cultural history, you immerse in a cocoon of elegantly handpicked services.

During your stay, the one part that you will cherish the most is the signature Raffles Butler service that lets you be as comfortable as you can be without being intruded upon. Be it serving delicacies, cleaning the room as preferred, taking laundry or extending a helping hand in unpacking or packing, the butlers are available for guests to cater to their needs.

ENRICHING TASTE BUDS

With six unique dining spaces on offer, the food and beverage experience at Raffles Udaipur is so extensive, generous and well-appointed that it spoils any guest for choice: The Dining Room umbrellas three distinct dining venues - signature Raffles Patisserie, Rasoi The Cookery School and Sawai Kitchen, Indian Speciality restaurant. The gourmet experiences are personalised to most individual tastes with personalised attention and service being yet another clincher.

The Verandah and Raffles Patisserie, the all-day dining area, lets you enjoy your preferred F&B fare in the open or in a Parisian style bistro setting respectively where you can discover a wide-ranging repertoire of regional and international cuisines and deserts.

Rasoi is a unique cookery school where the guests can indulge recreating local heritage cuisines while doing their own. If passing the baton of the region’s culinary heritage was an objective, it has been delivered. The Rasoi also takes you on a field trip to the whimsical hamlets for lost recipes. Spend an afternoon witnessing an expert chef’s live demonstration on cooking local recipes.

The Indian speciality restaurant, Sawai Kitchen, has preserved heirloom recipes of Rajput and Mewar cuisines where one can indulge in another round of finger-licking experience. And last but not the least, yet another very interesting concept which is slated to get operational later this year: Harvest, which takes the guests on a gastronomical tour where they can indulge in the goodness of homegrown produce picked fresh from the island’s orchards, and craft their own spice mix from the artisanal spice wall. These elements are then carefully put together by the chef to create any dish with a luxurious yet rustic charm.

All this has been possible under the charge of the hugely experienced and renowned Chef Prasad Metrani, who is the Director Culinary for Raffles Udaipur. With his extensive knowledge and experience, he is the in-house guru who, along with his experienced team, has recreated an absolutely unparalleled dining experience for both the discerning international and Indian guest. “Chef Metrani brings a larger than life to the idea of food and beverage sector,” quips Sharma, the GM.

The legion of Raffles Udaipur has another signature that a well-heeled and aware traveller comes for: the iconic The Writer’s Bar and Long Bar. The Writer’s Bar with its tall ceilings and floor to ceiling well-lit panes and book racks that stock over 1,000 books of the very best authors. Sit back, enjoy your cocktails from an exclusive selection of spirits as you immerse yourself in reading. The Writer’s Bar is a true sanctuary for literary savants. 

On the other hand, Long Bar presents a lively environment for guests to relish exquisite heritage drinks like the cocktail Udaipur Sling and indulge in quality time with friends and family savouring the finest selection of single malts or the local Rajasthani terai gin.

OF MARRIAGES, PARTIES AND MICE… GIGGLES AND GLITTERS

Whatever be on your mind and in the plans, be it a grand occasion or an intimate affair from a ring ceremony to a destination wedding, Raffles Udaipur has it all covered for every type of event and celebration. They have ticked all the boxes. A huge banquet, The Ballroom, 6,000 sq ft of an indoor pillarless main function area and 3,000 sq ft of pre-function area. Add to it, the Elephant Court, an outdoor 3,000 sq ft. That’s a huge 12,000 sq ft of banquet space. 

Talking of greens: the four lavish and perfectly manicured lawns: The Great Park, English Garden, Parterre, and Clouds, not just offer a stunning view, they are generous and perfect spaces to host a classy cocktail party or a grand Indian wedding complete with a built-in dais and hawan kund that will set the stage for a royal spectacle.

On catering for the MICE segment at Raffles Udaipur, Sharma says, “The intention is to provide an escape for all corporate travellers. We already have a fair amount of interest from forums that are extremely high-end because an island tends to create a sense of peace and security. You are away from the rest of the world, per se. MICE fits in very well here.”

WELLBEING

Raffles Spa is carefully articulated and designed with soft pastels and a wonderful canopy in fabric in the sitting area with a touch of Rajasthani and Mughal layout. It has all the comforts and accompaniments a well-informed modern traveller into fitness and out-to-relax desires: Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation with contemporary relaxation treatments create a holistic well-being experience. The property lets the guests explore its modern fitness gymnasium and relax leisurely in their outdoor swimming pools, one each for adults and toddlers.

Raffles Udaipur also offers exciting outdoor experiences like trekking, cycling and adventure rides, tempting guests to extend the duration of their stay. “A lot of these activities have to be combined with Nature-based outings. We are fortunate because our location is close to many such excursions, on foot or on mountain bikes. We also intend to add electric bikes in the future for the aggressive and adventurous guests,” explains Sharma, adding, “In the long term, we would like to utilise our lake too. I’m very conscious of the delicate balance of the ecosystem, but there is a way to be able to manage your flora and fauna, and yet ensure that your guests participate, learn, protect and engage.” 

Raffles Udaipur is a perfect getaway destination for your long weekend vacation, wedding destination or MICE. With all trappings of a modern luxurious hotel and tapestry of offerings in place, Raffles Udaipur by Accor is ready to enchant and offer guests the very best elevated experience.