The Lake Palace, viewed from the Fatehprakash Palace (part of the City Palace complex).

The Taj Lake Palace is known for being the “most  romantic hotel in the world”. I can’t possibly agree more.

It is perhaps the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever been to – a vision in white marble, floating on the waters of Lake Pichola. Certainly it boasts the most beautiful and evocative location.

From everywhere in the Palace, there is a sweeping, cinematic view of the city and the lake. And to the northeast, the burnished gold facade of the city palace…

It was hard to tear myself away from the palace, and though I did occasionally emerge to take in the sights of the city and to explore the lake on a speedboat, I have to admit I spent the bulk of my time in those endless white courtyards and corridors .

First built in the mid 1700s as a pleasure palace by the Maharana Jagat Singh II, it fell into disrepair by the end of the 1800s.

In the 1960s, the ruling Maharana Bhagwant Singh decided to convert the palace into the city’s first luxury hotel. The property was handed over to the Taj Hotels and Resorts Group, and it remains under the management of the Group today.

Its primary claim to international fame remains the James Bond film Octopussy in 1983, part of which was shot on location in the palace.

I’m too young to have ever known that movie, however. The one movie I know and remember well – a more recent work of art – is the exquisite, surreal and completely under-rated Tarsem Singh-helmed The Fall, part of which was also shot on location here.

And so it was with that scene of the lovers (re-)playing itself in my head that I wandered the grounds of the palace, looking out to the city with a sense of longing and a slight pang of loneliness in this most beautiful (but just then… infinitely desolate) of locations.

Perhaps seven years of Grand-Touring on my own has finally begun to take its toll.

Approaching the Lake Palace.

The entrance lobby, with its Peacock arches.

Lounge area near the entrance lobby.

The main courtyard.

The stunning view of the City Palace, from the rooftop patio area just outside my room.

I had the good fortune to have a very quiet and secluded room at the topmost corner of the Palace.

Lunch at the hotel’s all-day restaurant, Jharoka, overlooking Lake Pichola and the city.

View through chhatris to the city.

The absolutely exquisite swimming pool, with a view unto the lake.

…and so I sat here for hours and hours, just contemplating (the view), and my own loneliness.

A glass of champagne before dinner.

Sunset tour of the Lake.

The rooftop patio at sunset – the (lilac) door to my quaint little room is just past the attendant in blue.

Night at the Lake Palace.

Night at the Lake Palace, part two.

Dinner at the Hotel’s European restaurant, Bhairo, on the roof of the Palace, and with one of the most romantic views in the world.  Pity I was my own.

Detail of the mural in my room.

Corner of the Lake Palace, sunset.

Goodbye Lake Palace! And goodbye Udaipur!