Sumptuous rooms, decadent dining and panoramic lake and mountain views – welcome to the Leela Palace Hotel in Udaipur, India. This five-star establishment offers everything you could wish for in a romantic luxury hotel and so much more.

The unparalleled grandeur of the Leela Palace is an ode to the Land of the Mewars, the region of Rajasthan where the hotel is located. Traditional artisanal crafts and exquisite embellishments inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the area adorn the rooms. Scenic views of the city, tranquil Lake Pichola and the Aravalli mountains make for amazing vistas. It is truly one unforgettable romantic stay.

For travel inspiration: India destination guide

The art of the hotel

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Every inch of the Leela Palace hotel is a masterpiece. Inspired by the royal grandeur of India, the hotel is steeped in culture and history. As you stroll amongst hand-carved marble lotuses and silver elephants, the contemporary decor blends seamlessly with traditional architecture. Thekri, a Mewari art form that uses intricately chiseled mirrors on plaster, is the main theme of the palace interiors.

Embroidered fabrics mix throughout with dark wood furniture. Here you can see the Tarkashi work – the art of setting brass wires, strips and motifs in wood to make handcrafted furniture. You can also book (at extra cost) an Art Walk of the Palace, where an expert will reveal the treasures to you and provide fascinating insights into culture and history.

Discover this on: Imperial Rajasthan

The Maharaja Suite

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If you are going all out to rekindle the romance, then why not take the best room at this most romantic luxury hotel? Although it comes with an eye-watering price tag, the Maharaja Suite is worth dreaming of. This royal choice features plush interiors adorned with fine art and artifacts. During your stay you will be waited on hand and foot by your personal butler. Built into the suite, for the discreet comfort of its distinguished guests, is a massage parlor, a spacious plunge pool and sprawling courtyards.

At 3,585-sq.-ft. the vast suite comes with a living room, study, dining area and master bedroom with a separate walk-in wardrobe. The king-size bathtub and jacuzzi as well as the separate shower stall and water closet only add to the feel of luxury.

Related content: Our top 10 hand-picked luxury hotel stays for 2023

The Grand Heritage Lake View Room

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Maybe a more realistic option for most luxury travelers, the other rooms and suites at the Leela Palace hotel, while smaller, are no less impressive. Wake up to tranquility in one of this romantic luxury hotel’s Grand Heritage Lake View rooms. Elegant, contemporary interiors are adorned with traditional Rajasthani art and craftwork by local artisans, and exquisitely embroidered fabrics lure you to relax.

Superbly comfortable beds and all the expected amenities of a five-star hotel combine for a romantic luxury getaway. Rooms with a balcony offer panoramic romantic views of the lake and mountains. This is the perfect spot to sip champagne and relive years, stories and moments gone by.

Related content: The personal touch: our top 5 curated luxury travel experiences for 2023

Exquisite dining

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Offering the best in Indian fine dining, the hotel’s Sheesh Mahal restaurant showcases the most exotic and exquisite flavors. The perfect luxury hotel for Valentine’s Day, dine in the warm open-air, overlooking the lake and under a glittering night sky. Using recipes mastered in royal kitchens, Sheesh Mahal mirrors the traditional essence of the kitchens of India. Along with contemporary nuances, the local flavors are elevated to their authentic best. Under the glow of candles, the restaurant invites you to enjoy the nostalgia and romance of a bygone era.

The Library Bar

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The perfect date venue, drop into the Library Bar to sip a romantic cocktail or fine champagne. Choose from time-refined cognacs, single malts and vintage wines. Choose the bar to spend one-on-one time together whilst enjoying the wood paneling, fireplaces, fine art, books and collectible artifacts that adorn the walls. Sink into one of the comfortable couches and pick from the finest selections of whiskies and liquors from around the world. Or step out into the courtyard to enjoy Rajasthani folk music and dance performances every evening.

A sublime location

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The Leela Palace hotel makes the most of its lakeside location, with sublime views across the waters of Lake Pichola and panoramic views of the rolling Aravalli Mountain ranges. Despite this tranquil locale, the hotel is in the city center so the sights of Udaipur are within close reach, making this a perfect destination and hotel for your honeymoon. The spectacular City Palace, the floating Lake Palace and the Indo-Aryan Jagdish Temple are all romantic spots to visit.

Related content: From off-grid trips to nostalgic getaways: the top luxury holiday destinations for 2023

The Spa

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A serene getaway to wellness and relaxation, the Leela Palace Hotel spa is worthy as a destination in itself. This tented spa complex features eight luxury tents, with a yoga and meditation tent, as well as therapy suites with private pools. Here clients are offered a holistic experience to recharge the body, mind and soul.

Guests of the spa can also enjoy a Temple ritual. This takes place daily at Lord Shiva’s 16th-century Omkareshwar temple in the Palace Garden. If you are looking for the best luxury hotel for couples then, with this amazing spa, the Leela Palace is the perfect location to relax together.

Related content: Expert selected: the 4 best hotel spas you can visit with Luxury Gold

If you are looking for an extra special travel experience, whether to rekindle the romance or just treat yourselves then India is a fantastic destination. Stay in this romantic luxury hotel and many more worldwide on our limited-edition guided journeys.

When your Italy travels take you to a famed gelateria in San Gimignano, know that you’re in for a treat. Much more than a joy for the taste buds, Sergio Dondoli’s gelato in San Gimignano is a haven of local flavors, top-quality ingredients and award-winning innovations. Patrons travel from around the world to visit the best gelateria in San Gimignano. Here’s why you should too. 

The shop 

While Gelateria Dondoli (or Gelateria di Piazza) is known worldwide as a gelato destination and certainly the best gelateria in Italy, the experience of visiting the shop is intimate and personal. You’ll find the gelateria tucked down a winding alleyway in Piazza della Cisterna in San Gimignano, one of Tuscany’s many piazzas.  Step inside – or join the line – and be prepared to be delighted by the creations by Master Gelato Maker Sergio Dondoli. 

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The man behind the gelato  

To understand Dondoli’s mastery, we must also understand the importance of homemade gelato in history. The first person to introduce gelato from Italy to France was Catherine de Medici, future wife of Henry II King of France, in the 16th century. Catherine had worked with alchemist Cosimo Ruggieri as part of a cooking contest to create this creamy dessert and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, Dondoli carries on the tradition as one of the 10 Master Gelato Makers in Italy.  

Dondoli is especially known for his experimental, original and unusual flavors. Some of the most notable include Crema di Santa Fina® (cream with saffron and pine nuts), Champelmo® (pink grapefruit and sparkling wine), Dolceamaro® (cream with aromatic herbs) and Vernaccia Sorbet. 

Read more: 10 stunning Lake Como towns you need to visit

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Since he began making gelato in 1984, Dondoli has been recognized with numerous international awards. He won the prestigious MAM (Master of Art and Craft) award in 2016, the Italian equivalent of the “Living National Treasure” Japanese Prize, and the French “Maître d’Art” Award. Only 75 Artistic Masters were awarded this honor in Italy, and Sergio is the only Gelato Master to have received this important award. Dondoli also took part in “Identità Golose” (Tempting Identities), a gastronomic event in Milan between February 1-4, 2009, as a member of the “Creatività Gelate” (Frozen Creativities) group.  He also recently published a book, I, Sergio Dondoli, an autobiographical account of his passion that includes his recipes.   

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The gelato 

Not surprisingly, Dondoli makes his gelato using highly selected, top-quality ingredients, often local to the region. For example, his DOP Saffron has earned the protected designation of origin from San Gimignano and Vinsanto. Dondoli also uses “Tonda Gentile” Hazelnut from the Langhe region and Bronte Pistachio. Dondoli is the only gelato maker to use Amedei chocolate, awarded the Oscar in London as the best chocolate in the world for five years. He uses raw milk from cows adopted by Gelateria Dondoli at Camporbiano Farm, and local, organic fruit whenever possible. 

When you consider the appeal of gelato compared to ice cream, you can imagine why these flavors are so special. Gelato has more milk than cream and uses lower quantities of fat than ice cream. Because gelato has less air in the base, it is denser and packed with more flavor than ice cream.       

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We can’t wait to try… 

With so many tempting creations at this gelateria in San Gimignano, how do you choose? We have our eyes on some of the most innovative flavor combinations using aromatic herbs such as Rosemary Baby® (Raspberry and Rosemary) and Venere Nera® (Blackberries and Lavender). We can’t wait to sample the pairings of sweet, spicy and bitter, including Sangue di Bue® (spicy chocolate and sour cherries), Michelle® (saffron cantuccini, Avola almonds, honey and bitter orange peel), Biske Rata® (white chocolate, pumpkin seed oil, and cookies) and Crema de’ Pazzi® (bitter orange peel, Grand Marnier, dark chocolate and almonds). 

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The class 

After your visit to this gelateria in San Gimignano, you may want to dig your spoon deeper into the world of gelato. Should you have more time on your travels, you can take the Dondoli Gelato Class to learn more about and make gelato. You’ll have a quick lesson followed by trying your hand at making a Fiordilatte (raw milk) gelato and a seasonal fruit (persimmon, banana, strawberry, lemon or melon) gelato.  

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Just a taste 

Dondoli’s gelateria in San Gimignano is just a taste of the culinary riches of Italy’s Tuscany region. Read about seven ways you’ll celebrate Tuscan food with Luxury Gold and the essential guide to Italy for foodies. 

Still hungry? These 5 Michelin Star chefs are celebrating local culture through food. 

Curated exclusively for you, our luxury travel experiences surprise and delight. We asked the Luxury Gold travel experiences team for their best-curated experiences for 2025. From meeting a Duchess to exclusive access to the sights, here are their recommendations.

Meet the Duchess of Northumberland at Alnwick Castle, England

In the pretty English town of Alnwick, Northumberland lies the most elegant castle, and even more exquisite gardens. Seat of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, the castle was built in the 11th Century following the Norman conquest.

Travel with Luxury Gold on a Founder’s Collection departure and enjoy a rare opportunity to meet Her Grace, the Duchess of Northumberland for a private tour of her beloved gardens. This exclusive experience is not available to the general public.

The spectacular grounds surrounding the castle were landscaped by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, renowned for creating some of England’s most beautiful landscapes. With passion and dedication, The Duchess has restored the garden to its 18th-century glory over the last 20 years. Enjoyed by thousands, only you as a Luxury Gold guest will meet the duchess and hear her personal story.

These 12 acres of meandering and magnificent gardens are home to the world’s largest Tai Haku Cherry Orchard, a Grand Cascade comprising 120 water jets, and the world’s largest Treehouse Restaurant. You’ll meet the Head Gardener, who will lead you past a labyrinth, the serpent garden and ornate fountains. As you explore, you’ll listen to the fascinating story of restoration. Admire this masterpiece of passion and dedication, before indulging in a seasonal lunch. This experience is topped off with an in-depth exploration of the 11th-century castle, under the guidance of a Local Expert.

Our Founder’s Collection of luxury travel experiences enables you to mingle with the people who have shaped the history of the places you go. Curated by our founder, the late Stanley Tollman, these are his friendships from across the globe brought to you through exclusive meet and greets.

Discover this on: British Royale, Castles & Kingdoms

Read more: Royalty & Noblemen: the fascinating people you will meet in Europe with Luxury Gold

After-hours tour of The Luxor Temple, Egypt

A window into the ancient world, Egypt’s famous Luxor Temple strikingly sits in the heart of the modern town and will leave you captivated. Imagine gazing up at this magnificent structure with just a handful of your traveling companions for company.

As a Luxury Gold guest, enjoy exclusive VIP access as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site after-hours. Meaning you can roam the vast site in peace and tranquility. Founded in 1400 BC during the Golden Age of Thebes, this was the largest and most significant religious center in ancient Egypt. The temple once housed a village within its walls and features towering pillars, a myriad of statues and obelisks, and some of the finest carvings in ancient Egypt. A highlight of our luxury travel experiences, we invite you to explore this architectural wonder, exclusively and decadently yours.

Discover this on our Luxury Nile river cruise

Read more: 5 benefits of visiting iconic tourist hotspots out of hours

Exclusive access and high tea in Jaipur City Palace, India

Elegant, enchanting and ornate, Jaipur City Palace takes pride of place inside Jaipur’s walled Pink City. Built between 1729 and 1732, this showcase of opulent beauty blends remarkable Rajput and Mughal architecture. On your tour of Jaipur City Palace, as guests of Luxury Gold, enjoy exclusive access to the private living room of the Maharaja, normally off-limits to visitors.

See how the royals lived up close and personal, and admire the architecture, latticework and ornately carved marble interiors. One of our most elegant luxury travel experiences, savor an Indian-inspired high tea on the regal terrace after viewing the spectacular handcrafted crystal table by René Lalique. The grounds surrounding the palace are no less exquisite, with numerous terraces, courtyards and gardens to explore.

Discover this on: Essence of India with Ranthanbore, Imperial Rajasthan

 Read more: From off-grid trips to nostalgic getaways: the top luxury holiday destinations for 2023

 Haast River Safari, New Zealand

There are few words that do justice to the landscapes of New Zealand. From the tip-to-toe of the North and South Islands, the country is simply blessed with natural wonder. We invite you, as a Luxury Gold guest, to delve deep into the heart of this beauty with a jet boat safari on the Haast River, located in the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area.

Famous for its dramatic landscapes Haast is situated on the western edge of the South Island’s Mount Aspiring National Park. A World Heritage Site, UNESCO has compared it to the Grand Canyon and Great Barrier Reef as a significant natural treasure.

Enjoy a unique blend of thrilling speed and calm comfort as you travel by covered jet boat. Glide past untouched landscapes from mountains to the sea whilst hearing from a Local Expert. They will share the history, flora and fauna of the beautiful Haast River Valley. Admire forests and snow-capped mountains from the comfort of your fully enclosed cabin and let your mind wander as you listen to captivating tales of the wilderness communities of the valley.

Discover this on: Southern Drift

Related content: Our top 10 hand-picked luxury hotel stays for 2023

Bossa Nova Experience with Cecelo in Rio De Janeiro

Overlooked by jutting mountains, Rio’s charming neighborhood of Ipanema boasts a stunning beach, great restaurants and a unique Brazilian vibe. It was also the birthplace of Bossa Nova in the 1950s. Here you will have the pleasure, and privilege to meet Cecelo, a local guitarist, music aficionado, and studio owner. Join him for a memorable walking tour, an experience created especially for Luxury Gold guests.

Bossa Nova can be described as a soft samba. It is based on traditional Brazilian music and rhythms, American jazz, and a new style of Portuguese lyrics. It originated on the beaches, with students, artists and musicians coming together to create a new sound.

As you explore, hear engaging stories about this famous music style on our toe-tapping luxury travel experiences in South America. Enjoy the sounds and sights of Ipanema, before heading back to your hotel where Cecelo will play you some Bossa Nova classics over a caipirinha cocktail.

Discover this on: Classic South America

Related content: How your travels with Luxury Gold help conserve nature for future generations

 To find out more about these and other memorable luxury travel experiences available on all of our trips, take a look at our worldwide collection of limited-edition tours.