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Last Updated On: 18 Sep 2026
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Devi Garh Palace Udaipur: History, Luxury Stay & Travel Guide
N
Nand Singh Rathore
Travel & Tourism Expert specializing in India
Devi Garh Palace Udaipur: History, Luxury Stay & Travel Guide
Set above the village of Delwara in the Aravalli Hills, Devi Garh Palace Udaipur, now operated as RAAS Devigarh, offers one of Rajasthan's most distinctive heritage stays. It does not sit beside Lake Pichola, and it is not surrounded by the busy restaurants, shops and traffic of central Udaipur. Instead, the palace occupies an elevated position in the countryside north of the city, looking across Delwara village and the surrounding hills. The location gives the property a sense of separation that is difficult to achieve at many city hotels.
The hotel occupies an 18th-century palace and currently contains 39 suites, according to the property's official website. RAAS describes Devigarh as a restored heritage palace in the Aravalli Hills, roughly 45 minutes by road from Udaipur Airport.
That combination makes the property particularly suitable for travellers who want more than a conventional luxury hotel room. Historic walls, internal courtyards, elevated terraces and old palace spaces remain central to the stay, but the interiors are deliberately contemporary. Instead of filling every room with heavy reproduction furniture and excessive decoration, the restoration uses clean lines, local materials and restrained modern design.
This contrast is one of the main reasons RAAS Devigarh Udaipur stands apart from many traditional Rajasthan palace hotels. Guests still sleep inside a genuine historic palace, yet the bedrooms and suites do not attempt to imitate an eighteenth-century royal room. Heritage and modern comfort are placed side by side.
The location is also strategically useful. Eklingji Temple is nearby, Nathdwara lies farther north, and Udaipur remains close enough for transfers and sightseeing. That means Devigarh can serve either as a quiet extension after several nights beside Lake Pichola or as a countryside base for travellers interested in Mewar's temple and heritage routes.
Room rates should be approached realistically. This is a high-end heritage property rather than a budget heritage hotel. Depending on season, suite category and demand, travellers should normally keep a higher-side working budget of approximately INR 30,000 to INR 60,000+ per suite per night, with larger or more distinctive suites potentially moving substantially above that range. Current online hotel searches can occasionally show lower rates, but these fluctuate significantly, and premium travel periods command much higher prices.
For travellers paying palace-hotel rates, a one-night stay often feels too short. Two nights allow time to appreciate the property itself instead of treating it merely as accommodation between sightseeing days.
The History of Devi Garh Palace and Its Position Above Delwara
The history of Devi Garh Palace is tied to Delwara and the wider Mewar region rather than central Udaipur alone. The palace was created as a fortified royal residence in the Aravalli Hills and occupies a strategic elevated site overlooking the settlement below. Modern hotel references consistently identify the structure as an eighteenth-century palace, and the property today retains the massing and defensive character expected of an old Rajput hill residence.
Delwara itself lies north of Udaipur in a corridor historically important for movement through the Aravalli landscape. The palace's hilltop position immediately communicates why such a site would have been valuable. From elevated terraces and windows, broad views extend across the village and surrounding countryside. Even without knowing the military and political details of every period, the relationship between the building and terrain is obvious.
The original palace was not designed as a luxury hotel. Converting such a structure into modern accommodation therefore required far more than placing beds inside old rooms. Historic forts and palaces have irregular floor levels, thick walls, narrow passages, courtyards, small original chambers and structures built without modern plumbing, air conditioning or electrical systems. Successful restoration must respect the original building while making it genuinely comfortable for travellers expecting high international hotel standards.
RAAS Devigarh's present identity comes from precisely that transformation. The palace underwent substantial restoration before operating as a high-end hotel, while contemporary interventions created spacious suites within the historic shell. Architectural sources describe the property as an all-suite luxury hotel created inside a restored palace-fort.
This restoration approach is visible immediately. The exterior still feels strongly Rajasthani, with fortified walls, courtyards, arched openings and an elevated palace profile. Inside, however, spaces are frequently minimalist. White surfaces, stone, marble, sculptural details and restrained furnishings replace the densely ornamented interiors found in many classic heritage hotels.
That decision will appeal strongly to some travellers and less to others.
Someone looking for rooms filled with antique furniture, heavy fabrics, traditional paintings and an almost theatrical recreation of royal Rajasthan may prefer Rambagh Palace, Taj Fateh Prakash Palace or another more traditionally furnished property. Someone who values contemporary design inside a genuine heritage building may find Devigarh more distinctive.
The village setting also contributes to the historical character. Devigarh is not surrounded by a manufactured resort enclave. Delwara remains immediately below the palace, creating a visible relationship between the former seat of power and the settlement that developed around it.
Guests interested in more than hotel facilities should take time to see that relationship. Looking down from a terrace is attractive, but walking through the wider local area with suitable guidance reveals far more about where the palace sits culturally.
A heritage hotel becomes more meaningful when the traveller sees it as part of a landscape rather than simply as a luxury building with old walls.
RAAS Devigarh Suites, Interiors and What the Different Room Categories Offer
RAAS officially states that Devigarh has 39 individual suites, making the property relatively intimate compared with many large luxury resorts. Each suite combines contemporary amenities with the architecture of the palace, and the official accommodation information lists modern comforts including Wi-Fi, minibars, tea and coffee facilities and room service.
The suites differ considerably because the historic building does not provide a standard hotel floorplate where every room can be made identical. This is important when booking. Two travellers staying at the same palace may receive very different views, room shapes and relationships with the historic structure depending on category and location.
Lower suite categories still provide access to the palace environment, but guests celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or once-in-a-lifetime Rajasthan journey should compare higher categories rather than choosing solely according to the lowest available rate.
Some upgraded suites offer outdoor space, private garden elements, covered terraces, hot tubs or plunge pools depending on category. Current hotel listings confirm that higher suite categories can include such features, while the property as a whole remains entirely suite-based.
Space is one of Devigarh's strongest advantages. Many heritage hotels have beautiful common areas but relatively compact historic bedrooms because conservation limits structural changes. Devigarh's restoration took a more contemporary approach, creating rooms that feel generous and uncluttered.
The visual character is also unusual for Rajasthan.
Instead of filling interiors with multiple colours and traditional decorative motifs, many spaces rely on white marble, pale surfaces, polished stone and carefully chosen details. Local and regional materials are used in ways that feel modern rather than nostalgic. This allows the palace walls, arches and proportions to remain visible instead of competing with elaborate furniture.
For guests, suite choice should be based on three questions: view, outdoor space and privacy.
A panoramic view over the Aravalli countryside can add more to the stay than additional indoor square metres. A private terrace or garden becomes valuable during Rajasthan's comfortable months. Couples who expect to spend significant time at the hotel may benefit from a suite with a more secluded outdoor area.
Travellers using Devigarh merely as a sleeping base for full days in Udaipur might not receive enough value from the most expensive category. Driving into central Udaipur every morning and returning late every evening defeats much of the reason for staying in a countryside palace.
The property makes greater sense when the schedule includes slow mornings, pool time, spa treatment, lunch at the hotel or a relaxed afternoon between regional excursions.
This is also why two nights at Devi Garh Palace usually work better than one. On a one-night stay, guests often arrive after sightseeing, check in, have dinner, sleep and leave after breakfast. They technically stayed in the palace but barely used it.
Two nights allow a full day in which the building itself becomes part of the journey.
How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Devi Garh Palace?
Prices at RAAS Devigarh vary significantly according to season, demand, suite type, meal arrangements and booking conditions. Any blog publishing a single permanent nightly rate would become inaccurate quickly.
Current third-party hotel searches can show entry prices in the approximate INR 25,000 to INR 30,000 range on selected dates, while higher categories and stronger travel periods move well above that level. For practical premium-travel budgeting, travellers should allow approximately INR 30,000 to INR 60,000+ per suite per night, with the possibility of substantially higher pricing for special suites, festive dates and high-demand periods.
Taxes can make a meaningful difference to the final bill.
Meals, beverages, spa treatments, airport transfers, private excursions and other hotel services should also be considered separately unless specifically included in the booked package.
A couple staying two nights should therefore avoid budgeting only for the advertised accommodation figure. Once dining and transfers are included, the total palace stay can easily rise by tens of thousands of rupees.
Travellers comparing Devigarh with central Udaipur luxury hotels should also account for transportation. Staying near Lake Pichola allows a guest to walk to parts of the old city, while Devigarh requires a vehicle for trips into Udaipur.
On the other hand, Devigarh can reduce driving for Eklingji, Nagda and Nathdwara, depending on the route.
That makes hotel value partly an itinerary question.
A traveller spending four nights in the Udaipur region could, for example, use two nights in central Udaipur and two at Devigarh. The first part would focus on City Palace, Lake Pichola, Bagore Ki Haveli, old-city walks and boating. The second would become slower, with the palace, Eklingji and selected countryside sites receiving more attention.
That combination provides much more variety than spending every night in one hotel.
For premium travellers, the strongest question is therefore not "Is Devigarh expensive?" It is whether the stay will be used in a way that justifies the expense.
If the itinerary gives the property enough time, the palace itself functions as one of the major experiences of the trip.
Swimming Pool, Spa, Dining and Time Inside the Palace
RAAS Devigarh offers far more than sleeping accommodation, and guests paying for a luxury palace hotel near Udaipur should keep enough free time to use those facilities.
The outdoor swimming pool is one of the property's most appealing leisure spaces because the surrounding Aravalli scenery separates it from an ordinary urban hotel pool. Hotel listings also confirm spa facilities as part of the property.
During the cooler season, afternoons around the pool can be particularly pleasant. Rajasthan sightseeing often involves long hours inside forts, temples and vehicles; having an afternoon with no scheduled monument can improve the overall journey considerably.
The spa provides another reason not to overfill the itinerary. Travellers arriving after several days on the road may value a treatment more than another minor sightseeing stop.
Dining is equally important because leaving the palace every time a meal is required is impractical. The hotel provides on-site dining, and the remote setting means dinner at the property becomes part of most stays.
Guests should budget accordingly. Palace-hotel food and beverages are priced well above local restaurants in Delwara or Udaipur.
For travellers who want regional cuisine, it is worth asking about Rajasthani dishes rather than automatically selecting familiar international food. A palace stay in Mewar is a good opportunity to eat dishes connected with the region, provided dietary requirements are communicated clearly.
Breakfast is particularly enjoyable when the schedule is not rushed. Rather than eating at 6:30 AM simply to depart for another full sightseeing day, one morning should ideally remain slower.
Sunset is another valuable period at the hotel.
The elevated position creates broad views across the Aravalli countryside, and guests should be on the property rather than in a vehicle when light begins to change.
The interior palace courtyards also become attractive in the evening, when artificial lighting highlights arches and stone surfaces without the harshness of midday sun.
This is where Devigarh begins to justify its reputation as a destination hotel rather than merely a place to sleep.
Where Is Devi Garh Palace and How Far Is It from Udaipur?
RAAS Devigarh is located in Delwara, north of central Udaipur and close to the Eklingji area. The hotel's official website states that the palace is approximately 45 minutes by road from Udaipur Airport. Michelin's hotel guide gives the same approximate airport transfer time.
Central Udaipur is farther from the airport side depending on traffic and exact hotel location, so travellers should generally allow around 45 minutes to one hour between Devigarh and important parts of the city. Traffic, road works and urban congestion can increase that time.
The location makes a private car effectively essential for most international visitors.
A hotel-arranged airport transfer or high-quality private vehicle is preferable to improvising transportation after arrival. The final approach also gives travellers a useful sense of how quickly Udaipur's urban landscape gives way to smaller settlements and the Aravalli countryside.
Current online hotel information indicates that the property can arrange airport transportation, with one listing giving an airport transfer price around INR 3,800 per vehicle. Such charges can change, so the current hotel quotation should always be requested before confirming.
A premium private transfer booked separately can cost approximately INR 3,500 to INR 6,000+, depending on vehicle type and whether pickup includes waiting or additional stops.
The important point is not to choose the cheapest possible vehicle after paying for a premium palace stay. A clean, comfortable car with an experienced driver fits the overall standard much better, particularly for airport arrivals after a long flight.
Eklingji, Nagda and Nathdwara from Devi Garh Palace
One of the strongest reasons to stay at Devi Garh Palace Delwara is its proximity to important religious and heritage sites north of Udaipur.
Eklingji Temple is only a short drive away. Current hotel listings place it at approximately six to eight kilometres from Devigarh, depending on the route and reference used. Eklingji is historically associated with the rulers of Mewar and remains one of the region's most important Shiva temple complexes.
Visitors should check temple opening periods because access is not continuous throughout the day.
The Sahastra Bahu Temples at Nagda, commonly known as the Saas Bahu Temples, can be included in the same regional outing. Their carved architecture and quieter setting provide a valuable contrast with active pilgrimage centres.
Farther north lies Nathdwara, home of Shrinathji Temple. Devigarh's position makes the drive considerably easier than beginning from the far southern side of Udaipur.
A visitor can therefore keep one day focused on the countryside and religious heritage rather than repeatedly driving into the lake city.
This is particularly effective for travellers interested in Indian temple traditions but still wanting high-end accommodation.
The danger is again overloading the day. Eklingji, Nagda, Nathdwara and Haldighati can technically be connected on a map, but adding every attraction may create an exhausting schedule.
A slower route with two or three meaningful stops is better.
Devi Garh Palace Versus Staying Beside Lake Pichola
The choice between Devigarh Palace and a Udaipur lake hotel depends entirely on the character of the stay a traveller wants.
A hotel beside Lake Pichola offers immediate access to City Palace, Gangaur Ghat, old-city restaurants, boat rides and evening walks. Guests can leave the hotel and quickly become part of Udaipur's historic centre.
Devigarh offers the opposite.
Its value comes from privacy, countryside views, palace interiors and distance from city activity.
Neither is automatically better.
For a first-time visitor spending only two nights in Udaipur, a central lake location is usually more practical because the major sights can be reached with far less driving.
For someone staying four or five nights, splitting time can be excellent.
Two nights beside Lake Pichola provide city access. Two nights at Devigarh provide countryside calm and an entirely different palace environment.
Honeymooners and anniversary travellers may particularly appreciate this combination because the trip changes character halfway through without requiring a long transfer.
Guests who dislike changing hotels may reasonably remain in central Udaipur and visit Devigarh only if the hotel permits dining or another booked service for non-residents. Current outside-guest policies should always be confirmed directly because luxury properties can restrict access.
Travellers who choose Devigarh should do so intentionally.
Staying there and commuting into central Udaipur twice each day wastes both time and money.
Best Time to Stay at Devi Garh Palace
The cooler months provide the strongest conditions for a luxury palace stay near Udaipur because terraces, courtyards, outdoor dining and countryside walks become much more enjoyable.
From approximately October through March, daytime temperatures are generally comfortable. Winter evenings can become cool, particularly in an exposed hilltop palace, so guests should carry an additional layer for outdoor dinners and terraces.
The monsoon period can also be visually impressive.
Rain changes the Aravalli Hills from dry brown landscapes into greener countryside. For travellers interested more in atmosphere than guaranteed sunshine, a monsoon stay at Devigarh can be particularly attractive.
Outdoor activities naturally depend on rainfall.
The hottest months can make midday outdoor spaces less comfortable. The palace remains fully usable because interiors are climate-controlled, but travellers may spend more time around the pool and inside shaded courtyards.
Room rates also vary with season.
The cooler high-demand period generally commands stronger pricing, particularly around festive dates and popular wedding periods.
Travellers wanting the best suite categories should book early when specific dates matter.
Who Should Stay at Devi Garh Palace?
RAAS Devigarh is especially suitable for couples, honeymooners, design-focused travellers, luxury Rajasthan visitors and guests who value quiet settings more than being in the centre of a city.
It also works extremely well for someone who has already seen Udaipur and wants a different stay on a return journey.
Photographers will appreciate the relationship between palace architecture, Delwara village and the hills.
Architecture and design travellers may value the restoration more than guests expecting a conventional heritage hotel.
Families can also stay comfortably, although parents should check suite layouts, additional-bed arrangements and children's activity options before booking.
Travellers with limited mobility should ask the hotel about stairs and internal access. Historic palace buildings naturally contain level changes, and not every heritage space can function like a newly constructed resort.
Guests primarily interested in nightlife, shopping or walking to restaurants should remain in central Udaipur.
Guests wanting quiet evenings, palace courtyards, countryside scenery and substantial time inside the hotel are much better suited to Devigarh.
Top Indian Holidays can include Devi Garh Palace near Udaipur as part of a private Rajasthan itinerary in which the property is treated as a meaningful stay rather than simply another hotel name. For a high-end journey, the strongest sequence is often city heritage first and palace retreat afterward.
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