Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / India / Dungarpur / Udai Bilas Palace
Udai Bilas Palace
Dungarpur, Rajasthan, India · Independent · Accessible Luxury
Maharawal Udai Singh II raised this pareva-stone palace on Gaibsagar Lake around 1860; the jewel is the single-pillared Ek Thambiya Mahal, carved between 1730 and 1785. Laxman Singhji added three wings in the 1940s. The family still lives here, 23 rooms, African Room hunting trophies, a heritage hotel that never stopped being a house. The palace's pareva stone is local and bluish-grey.
- 23 rooms
- Opened 1993
- Neighborhood: Asela
About Udai Bilas Palace
- The palace was built around 1860 by Maharawal Udai Singh II using local bluish-grey pareva stone on the banks of Gaibsagar Lake.
- Its jewel, the single-pillared Ek Thambiya Mahal, was built between 1730 and 1785 by Maharawal Shiv Singh, featuring carved pillars and marble friezes.
- Three new wings were added between 1940 and 1944 by Maharawal Laxman Singhji, forming a famous central courtyard.
- The royal family still resides on-site, and its African Room houses one of the world's finest collections of hunting trophies.
History
Udai Bilas Palace was originally commissioned in the mid-19th century by Maharawal Udai Singh II, who utilized local blue-grey 'pareva' stone for its construction on the banks of Gaibsagar Lake. The palace underwent major expansions in 1940 under Maharwal Laxman Singhji, who added three new wings around a central courtyard. It remains a private royal residence while serving as a heritage hotel, preserving its Rajput architectural legacy and intricate craftsmanship.
Experiences
- Bird watching — Year-round focus; best November to February for winter migrants and July to October for nesting birds visible from the palace.
- Rowing on the lake and forest trekking — Rowing on the lake or trekking in the forest to see birdlife.
- Visit to Juna Mahal (Old Palace) — The old palace, still owned by the family, can be visited only on invitation, by road or by trekking the hill track.
Amenities
- Outdoor lakeside swimming pool
- Royal dining hall and bar in former stables
- Heated jacuzzi and gymnasium
- Bird watching and nature treks
- Vintage car and car collection museum
- Hand-painted murals and stone carvings
- Spa
- Pet-friendly
Open Udai Bilas Palace in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.