Udaipur has long held something of a Shangri-La mystique: a city of lakes and palaces so improbably beautiful that first-time visitors may feel as though they’ve stepped into a fairytale. Something of a hidden secret, the Rajasthani city is now stepping into the limelight following its inclusion as the only Indian city on Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Best Destinations list, alongside the likes of Naoshima, Victoria Falls and the East Coast of Barbados.
Lake Pichola, the still heart of the old city, reflects the City Palace in shades of rose and gold depending on the hour, and the ghats that descend to its banks carry a quieter, more meditative energy than Rajasthan’s busier stops. The surrounding Aravalli Hills, ancient and worn to soft curves, frame everything with an unhurried grace. Beyond the lake, the lanes of the old city deliver silver workshops, blue pottery studios and chai drunk on rooftops with views that make you want to stay another day.
Karma Group now has two addresses here. Karma Seven Lakes, a long-established Member favourite, offers lake views and a considered base in the city, with complimentary breakfast for four guests available for bookings made before 31 July for travel through September.
The newer arrival is Karma Amaatra, which opened on 01 July 2026 with an arti ceremony, marigold garlands and a pooja attended by the owners and team. Live musicians played on the front lawn, lunch drew on the deep traditions of Rajasthani cooking, and Member Ashish Sharma, who travelled from Dubai to be among the first to check in, called it simply an awesome property. Sometimes the simplest verdict is the most convincing.
