The Oberoi Udaivilas and Rajvilas India

India retains a mystical charm born of the lush landscape, exotic wildlife and expansive history of Raj kingdoms and Imperial colonisation. Though the variations in her landscape, her rich exports and the internationally renowned political struggle for independence led by Gandhi have now begun to lure travellers in, India has largely remained a bold destination choice for many, a trend that is slowly beginning to change.

The Oberoi Group caters for the luxury international traveller; and CEO Middle East visited two of the jewels in the group's crown - the Oberoi Udaivilas and the Oberoi Rajvilas.

The Udaivilas sits on the shores of the scenic Lake Pichola which abuts the ancient town of Udaipur. Though the hotel is fully serviced by roads, guests are chauffeured from the airport to a jetty to make the final part of the journey by boat in order to enjoy the hotel's best aspect.

The complex has been built in the style of a Mewari Palace (fitting given that ‘-vilas' is the Hindi word for royal residence) and meanders over a generous space within the 30 acre site. The rooms and communal areas are punctuated by landscaped gardens, terraces and waterways, many of which overlook the lake below. The décor throughout has been sympathetically planned to echo both the Maharaja and Imperial histories - detailed, hand-painted frescos sit alongside grand Victorian furniture and ornately gilded doors.

The proprietor is said to be so particular about the finishing touches that he insisted that one of the interior domes be retiled twice and that the main chandelier in the lobby be replaced three times. Nonetheless, it is this attention to detail that has won the hotel the prestigious title of ‘Best Hotel in the World' by the readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine.

Accommodation ranges from the spacious premier rooms to the ultimate in palatial luxury - the Kohinoor Suite. Each option has been carefully designed to ensure maximum privacy. We stayed in a premier room overlooking the crescent garden, incorporating a seating area, gargantuan window seat (piled with cushions), dressing room, expansive bathroom and private terrace. An air of calm pervades the hotel and though fully occupied during our stay it would be easy to think otherwise.

Though the dining options are limited, the menu succeeds in offering a wide variety of Indian and Western dishes without flooding diners with choice. Being a desert, the winter nights in Rajasthan can get pretty cold but fire baskets and heat lamps allow the al fresco dining and accompanying entertainment to continue under the starry sky.

The hotel plays host to a handful of conferences and business meetings in its well-appointed facilities but strictly controls the size of these events to retain the ambience that attracts and relaxes its guests. It lends itself best to small AGMs or as a management incentive but many executives visiting the hotel for business will fit in a few days either side to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere with their partner.