A Royal Escape: Our Stunning Stays at Raffles Udaipur & The Leela Palace Udaipur on Points!
Udaipur, the ‘City of Lakes’ and the ‘Venice of the East,’ holds an undeniable charm, evoking tales of royalty, romance, and unparalleled luxury. For a points and miles enthusiast, experiencing this regal city not just in style, but by smartly leveraging loyalty programs, is the ultimate dream. Today, we’re taking you on a personal journey to two of Udaipur’s most iconic and opulent properties: the serene Raffles Udaipur where we spent two blissful nights, and the majestic The Leela Palace Udaipur for one night. While our stay at both was memorable, looking back, we almost wished we had traded that one night at The Leela for an experience at the truly iconic Taj Lake Palace, nestled in the heart of Lake Pichola.
This wasn’t just a trip; it was a masterclass in maximizing hotel loyalty points – primarily Accor Live Limitless (ALL) for Raffles and Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Discovery for The Leela. We’ll share the intricate details of how we turned our accumulated points into unforgettable stays, including strategies for GHA points redemption with a clever 15% discount. Crucially, our Accor ALL Platinum and GHA Discovery Titanium statuses played a pivotal role, unlocking significant upgrades and benefits that truly elevated our experience. If you’ve ever dreamt of experiencing five-star luxury in one of India’s most enchanting cities without the hefty cash price tag, this is the story for you.
Join us as we unveil the secrets to unlocking these royal escapes, filled with breathtaking views, impeccable service, and memories crafted by the power of points!
Our Journey to Udaipur: Flying Smart with Axis Magnus (and Lounge Hops!)
Our royal escapade to Udaipur began even before we touched down by the lake, involving a strategic flight booking and a few lounge hops. We embarked on our journey from Chennai (MAA) on the night of August 13th, around 10:30 PM, flying to Mumbai (BOM), where we landed at approximately 00:35 AM. For the Chennai airport transfer, we opted for the convenient metro. Our flight experienced a slight 30-minute delay, but this gave us ample time to relax at the TFC Chennai Lounge, where we enjoyed our dinner. We seamlessly accessed the lounge using my HDFC Infinia card, while my wife utilized her Amex Platinum Charge add-on card, demonstrating the power of these premium travel benefits.
Our connecting flight from Mumbai to Udaipur was scheduled for 6:15 AM, giving us a few hours of layover. Upon reaching Mumbai, we initially headed for the American Express lounge, only to find it closed for pest control around 1:30 AM. Undeterred, we pivoted to the Adani Lounge, where we managed to catch a few hours of sleep before our onward journey. Our flight departed on time, landing us in Udaipur at 7:40 AM. From the airport, we easily booked an Ola Cab for ₹500, which whisked us away to the magnificent Raffles Udaipur.
The Serene Opulence of Raffles Udaipur (Accor Live Limitless)
Arriving at Raffles Udaipur around 9:00 AM, we were immediately enveloped in an aura of exclusivity. The property, accessible only by a short private boat ride across a tranquil lake, felt like a secluded sanctuary. We had initially booked a Lakeshore Signature Room. This room type is situated in the building near the entrance, separate from the main island where the primary guest rooms and facilities are located.
Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Mr. Purshotham, the Manager for the Lakeshore Building. Recognizing my Accor Live Limitless (ALL) Platinum status, he graciously upgraded us to a Lakeshore Manor Suite and had it ready for us by 9:30 AM, an excellent early check-in! We were given a comprehensive tour of the spacious and beautifully appointed suite.
However, having seen the stunning visuals of the main island, we politely expressed our preference for a room there, if possible. Mr. Purshotham assured us he would try his best to accommodate our request, explaining that no rooms were immediately available but suggesting we freshen up. My son and I decided to make the most of the early check-in and headed straight to the stunning Rooftop Infinity Pool for a refreshing swim after our overnight journey.
By the time we finished our swim, we received the fantastic news: a room on the main island was now available! We were then whisked away by one of their elegant speedboats (Raffles has a fleet of 2-3 speedboats and 2-3 traditional wooden boats with shelters) to the main island. There, we were presented with a magnificent Raffles Manor Suite. We received a second comprehensive room tour and, to our delight, were presented with again the Platinum Welcome Benefits – bowls of fresh fruits, an assortment of exquisite sweets, rich chocolates, and personalized welcome notes from the General Manager. It was a testament to the impeccable service and how they go above and beyond for their elite guests!
After settling into our exquisite Raffles Manor Suite on the main island, we took some time to rest and soak in the serene ambiance. In the afternoon, we decided to explore the sprawling property and then venture into Udaipur city. However, this is where a crucial piece of advice for future guests comes in: Raffles Udaipur is situated on the Udaisagar Lake (a man-made lake), which is roughly 20 km from the heart of the old city, located near Lake Pichola. This distance and its relatively secluded location on the outskirts require planning.
When we tried to book an Ola or Uber to go to the city, we faced significant challenges. Despite trying for over 1.5 hours, we couldn’t find a single driver willing to take the booking, possibly due to the remote location and potential network issues (we use Vodafone, though we can’t be certain if that was the sole cause). Disappointed, we eventually gave up and returned to our room.
That evening, we decided to make the most of the hotel’s offerings and visited the elegant Lounge Bar. Here, Mr. Vishal, our attentive attendant, recommended we try the Udaipur Sling, a local adaptation inspired by the iconic Singapore Sling from Raffles Singapore. His detailed explanation of the ingredients left us momentarily in awe! We also savored some delicious Lotus Stem Starter and the Dim Sum, with my son and I particularly loving the latter. Thus concluded our first day at Raffles.
Day 2 began with a delightful breakfast at the Lobby Restaurant. Determined to visit the city, I tried booking an 8-hour package from Ola. After multiple attempts, I finally secured a booking within 15 minutes – luckily, the driver who picked us up lived just 3 km from the hotel! However, he requested an additional ₹300, bringing the total for the 8-hour package to ₹1,900. Our city tour included a visit to the City Palace Museum (a fascinating dive into the history of the Mewar rulers), the Vintage Car Collection of the Mewar Family, a local park, and a Cultural Theatre show (entry charges for all these attractions were extra and paid in cash). We returned to Raffles around 7:30 PM, had dinner at the hotel, and billed it to our room, ending another memorable day.
On the morning of Day 3 (August 16th), after enjoying our breakfast, we checked out of Raffles, by paying 47000 points for our stay for 2 nights. We booked an Ola for our transfer to The Leela Palace Udaipur. Since it was a long weekend Holiday(August 14th to 17th), the city was jam-packed. The traffic in Udaipur was intense, easily adding 30-35 minutes to our travel time. After nearly two hours of navigating through the congested roads, we finally reached The Leela jetty. From there, we were taken to the hotel by a serene, slow-moving boat. As we arrived, Mr. Ajit, our Leela Incharge, greeted us warmly and personally escorted us to our magnificent Swaran Mahal Duplex Suite, providing a comprehensive tour of the opulent space.”
Part 2: Regal Charm at The Leela Palace Udaipur (GHA Discovery Titanium)
Our arrival at The Leela Palace Udaipur, though slightly delayed by the festive long-weekend traffic, was nothing short of majestic. The boat ride to the palace, with its stunning views of Lake Pichola, immediately transported us into a world of regal charm. As a GHA Discovery Titanium status holder, we anticipated a special experience, and The Leela certainly delivered. The Swaran Mahal Duplex Suite we were assigned, courtesy of our status, was a testament to the palace’s grandeur. It was a multi-level haven of luxury, impeccably designed with traditional aesthetics and modern comforts, offering breathtaking views of the lake and the city palace.
Our welcome benefits at The Leela included three exquisite sweets, accompanied by a personalized note from the Leela team, a complimentary breakfast, and a generous ₹2,000 hotel credit. After settling in and freshening up, my son thoroughly enjoyed the open Jacuzzi in our suite – a fantastic amenity!
In the evening, we took advantage of The Leela Palace’s prime location, which is a convenient walkable distance to the old city. We strolled around the picturesque Lake Pichola, indulging in local delights like Pani Puri and various Chaat items, and enjoying some light shopping. We returned to our room around 7:30 PM, freshened up, and headed to the elegant Library Bar. There, we savored some drinks while soaking in the serene view of Lake Pichola, with the iconic Taj Lake Palace beautifully positioned at the center of attention and the majestic City Palace on the other side. We regrettably missed booking a table at the famous Sheesh Mahal restaurant, the Leela Palace’s open-air, fine-dining experience.
The next morning, after another sumptuous breakfast, we requested a late checkout, as our flight was in the evening. We spent some more time exploring parts of the city we had missed and trying more local cuisine. We checked out around 4:00 PM.
For our stay at The Leela, we leveraged a fantastic offer: buying GHA Discovery points with a 15% discount. As of August 17th, 1 GHA Discovery point was valued at approximately 1 US Dollar, or about ₹89. We purchased the required points at this discounted rate, effectively reducing the cash outlay for this luxurious stay. This strategy is a prime example of how to make aspirational redemptions more attainable, especially when direct point accumulation might be slower.
From The Leela, we booked an Ola to Udaipur airport. Our flight departed for Mumbai, where we arrived around 10:00 PM. Our connecting flight to Chennai was scheduled for 4:00 AM, leaving us with plenty of time. This time, we were delighted to find the American Express Centurion Lounge in Mumbai open. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner there, taking full advantage of their à la carte menu, and managed to get a few hours of sleep before our final flight. After a comfortable flight, we landed back in Chennai and completed our journey home via the metro, concluding a truly unforgettable royal escape.”
Now, let’s tie it all together with the redemption summaries and final thoughts.
Redemption Snapshot: Points & Perks Unleashed
Here’s a quick overview of the loyalty programs and elite statuses that made this royal escape possible:
- Raffles Udaipur:
- Loyalty Program: Accor Live Limitless (ALL)
- Elite Status: ALL Platinum (crucial for suite upgrade, early check-in, double welcome amenities)
- Point Redemption: [Used 47,000 ALL points for 2 nights stay”].
- The Leela Palace Udaipur:
- Loyalty Program: Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Discovery
- Elite Status: GHA Discovery Titanium (instrumental for Swaran Mahal Duplex Suite upgrade, complimentary breakfast, ₹2,000 hotel credit)
- Point Redemption Strategy: Purchased required GHA Discovery points with a 15% discount (at 1 GHA = ~₹89), a highly effective strategy for value maximization.
These experiences vividly illustrate that elite status, combined with strategic point accumulation and redemption, can unlock a level of luxury that far surpasses the standard guest experience.”
Final Reflections: A Tale of Two Palaces (and a Missed Gem)
(This will be a new section after the Redemption Snapshot.)
Our stay at both Raffles Udaipur and The Leela Palace Udaipur offered unique glimpses into luxury. Raffles, with its island seclusion and serene ambiance, felt like an exclusive retreat, perfect for unwinding and indulging in top-tier service. The initial taxi challenges and distance from the city, while a minor hurdle, are valuable lessons for future planning.
The Leela Palace, on the other hand, offered a more integrated ‘palace-in-the-city’ feel, with its stunning Lake Pichola views and convenient access to the bustling old city. The Titanium benefits here were truly exceptional, elevating our stay to ultimate comfort.
However, after experiencing the majestic views from The Leela, looking directly across at the iconic Taj Lake Palace, we couldn’t help but wonder. The Taj Lake Palace, situated literally in the middle of Lake Pichola, is undeniably the most iconic property in Udaipur. While both Raffles and The Leela are spectacular, for a truly once-in-a-lifetime, iconic Udaipur experience, we felt a pang of regret not having booked at least one night at the Taj Lake Palace to complete the royal trilogy. It’s a reflection that even the most seasoned points travelers still have new aspirations!”
Conclusion: Your Royal Udaipur Awaits!
Our family’s Independence Day Long weekend trip to Udaipur was a testament to the immense power of credit card points and elite hotel statuses. By strategically utilizing Accor ALL and GHA Discovery points, along with the benefits of our ALL Platinum and GHA Titanium statuses, we transformed what would have been an incredibly expensive luxury vacation into an achievable and deeply rewarding experience. Even the flights were expertly managed through our Axis Magnus card.
This journey highlights that with careful planning, knowing your loyalty programs, and understanding how to leverage elite benefits, you can unlock dream stays at properties like Raffles and The Leela. So, start accumulating those points, work towards that elite status, and prepare to write your own chapter in Udaipur’s royal history. The City of Lakes truly awaits your arrival, and your points are your key to its most luxurious experiences!”
Official Links & Resources:
To explore the loyalty programs and hotels mentioned, here are the official links:
Amex Platinum Charge Card: Click Here
Accor Live Limitless (ALL): Click Here
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Discovery: Click Here
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card: Click Here
Earn Points & Travel with Our Recommended Cards:
Inspired to start your own journey into luxury travel on points? Some of the cards mentioned in this review are key to unlocking such experiences. If you’re considering applying for the American Express Platinum Charge Card, we’d be delighted if you used our referral link below. It often comes with enhanced welcome offers for you and benefits us too, helping us continue to bring you more valuable content like this!
- Apply for the American Express Platinum Charge Card (India) via our Referral Link: Click Here
- (Note: Referral offers can change; please check the link for the latest benefits.)
