Raffles Udaipur Opens as India’s First Raffles

Raffles Udaipur opened its doors on 2 August 2021, the first Raffles hotel in India. Accor’s property occupies a 21-acre private island in Udai Sagar lake in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

The hotel has 101 rooms, suites and signature suites, with lake views and, depending on category, private gardens, balconies and plunge pools. Its architecture mixes Western references with Rajasthan’s royal heritage and Mughal elements, and rooms carry murals and furniture handcrafted by local artisans.

Two Raffles institutions appear here: The Writers Bar, for cocktails and Champagne, and the Long Bar, which pours Indian spirits and a signature Udaipur Sling. The main restaurant, Sawai Kitchen, reworks royal Indian recipes, and Raffles Patisserie handles baked goods and French desserts.

Rasoi is a cookery school offering co-cooking sessions, and Harvest, a farm-to-table restaurant, was scheduled to follow in October 2021. The Raffles Spa, a fitness centre and a pool complete the leisure facilities, while events are served by a 9,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom and an on-site temple for weddings.

“India is a strategic market with long-term growth potential for Accor,” said Puneet Dhawan, senior vice president of operations for India and South Asia. General manager Abhishek Sharma led the opening team. More information is on the Raffles Udaipur website.