Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur
Udaipur, India
"The crescent-shaped royal guest house within the iconic City Palace complex - 36 palace rooms + 17 suites, 500-guest Lawns and the famous marble Pool Deck featured in James Bond's "Octopussy", managed by the HRH Group of Hotels of the Mewar Royal Family."
Shiv Niwas Palace is where royalty stays. Originally built as a crescent-shaped guest house for guests of the Maharana of Udaipur, it is now a Grand Heritage Hotel managed by the HRH Group of Hotels - the hospitality arm of the Mewar royal family. Located within the majestic City Palace complex on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola, it offers an ambience that is undeniably aristocratic. It is famous worldwide for its spectacular marble "Pool Deck," which featured prominently in the 1983 James Bond movie "Octopussy" (the swimming pool sequence). With its hand-painted Mewar frescoes, inlay work, original royal furniture, vintage portraits and views of Lake Pichola, it offers a wedding experience that is authentically royal and steeped in 400 years of Mewar history. Sister property to Fateh Prakash within the same complex; combined weddings with Jagmandir Island are also possible.
Room Rates & Wedding Booking Cost
Deluxe Room
Rs.35,000 - Rs.90,000 per night
($420 - $1,080 per night)
Suite
Rs.1,20,000 - Rs.8,00,000 per suite/night
($1,440 - $9,600 per suite/night)
Minimum Stay: Minimum 3 nights (full buyout typical)
Booking Includes: Room accommodation, breakfast, taxes, Wi-Fi, City Palace museum access, Crystal Gallery tour, HRH Royal Butler
Charged Separately: F&B for wedding events, venue rental (Pool Deck commands premium), decor, Jagmandir combined bookings, fireworks
Best Season for Weddings
Recommended
October, November, December
January, February, March
Peak Months
November, December, February
Book 8-12 months ahead
Avoid
May, June, July
Udaipur enjoys the most pleasant winter in Rajasthan - 12-26 deg C. Avoid May-Aug (monsoon).
Location & Accessibility
Located inside the City Palace complex. Guests enter through the historic Tripolia Gate or Samor Bagh gate. About 3 km / 15 minutes from Udaipur Railway Station and 25 km / 45 minutes from Maharana Pratap Airport. Central old city location.
Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR)
25 km / 45-minute drive
Udaipur Railway Station
3 km / 15-minute drive
Nearby Attractions for Wedding Guests
City Palace Museum
0 km (same complex) - Royal Museum
Fateh Prakash Palace
0 km (same complex) - Sister Heritage Palace
Jagmandir Island Palace
0.5 km (across lake) - Sister HRH Island Palace
Jagdish Temple
0.5 km - Heritage Temple
Wedding Types & Services
Ceremonies Supported
NRI Friendly Perfect for NRI & International Couples
- HRH Group royal welcome
- Multi-currency invoicing
- Virtual venue tours
- Visa support letters
- Crystal Gallery private tour
- Jagmandir Island combined bookings
- International chef collaborations
- Royal Butler service
Venue Policies & Permissions
Music/DJ cutoff: 12:30 AM
Event Spaces
The Pool Deck
Capacity: Up to 300 guests
Outdoor (Heritage Marble Pool Deck)The most iconic venue in the palace, set around a marble swimming pool with lighted fountains - featured prominently in James Bond's "Octopussy". Perfect for a glamorous cocktail or sangeet on the very deck the film was shot.
The Lawns
Capacity: Up to 500 guests
Outdoor (Front Lawn)Lush green lawns set against the backdrop of the crescent-shaped palace facade, offering a regal setting for the wedding ceremony or reception with royal Mewar architecture as backdrop.
Panera Bar Terrace
Capacity: Up to 100 guests
Outdoor (Rooftop Terrace)An elevated terrace offering panoramic views of Udaipur city and Lake Pichola, ideal for intimate gatherings, high tea or sundowner cocktails.
Paantya Restaurant Courtyard
Capacity: Up to 150 guests
Outdoor (Restaurant Courtyard)Heritage Paantya multi-cuisine restaurant courtyard with city views - ideal welcome dinner venue.
Sample Wedding Itinerary
4 days, 3 nights | 200-400 guests | Est. Rs.5,00,00,000 - Rs.15,00,00,000
Welcome with royal Marwari guards, shehnai and ceremonial garlanding at the City Palace gates. Private Crystal Gallery and City Palace museum tour. Dinner at Paantya restaurant with city views.
Mehendi in the palace courtyards with henna artists. Afternoon HRH Spa. Sangeet at the iconic James Bond Pool Deck with live band, marble pool reflections and lighted fountains - the signature Shiv Niwas wedding experience.
Grand Baraat through the City Palace gates with elephants, horses and Mewar musicians. Pheras on The Lawns with crescent palace facade backdrop. Royal sit-down dinner with Mewar traditional cuisine.
Optional boat tour to sister HRH property Jagmandir Island Palace for farewell brunch - the iconic Mewar combined heritage experience.
Expert Insights & FAQs
Q: What is the wedding cost at Shiv Niwas Palace?
Rooms Rs.35,000-90,000 per night, suites Rs.1,20,000-8,00,000. Full buyout (53 rooms x 3 nights) typically Rs.2.5-5.5 crore. Total wedding budgets range Rs.5-15+ crore including F&B, fireworks, decor. Pool Deck venue rental commands premium.
Q: Is this the James Bond hotel?
Yes - Shiv Niwas Palace was a primary filming location for the 1983 James Bond movie "Octopussy", and the Pool Deck is the exact spot featured in the swimming pool sequence. A sangeet on the Pool Deck is a 007-themed wedding experience.
Q: Can we use Jagmandir Island for events?
Yes - since both Shiv Niwas and Jagmandir Island Palace are managed by the HRH Group of the Mewar royal family, you can seamlessly combine venues for different functions (e.g., Jagmandir Boat Baraat + Shiv Niwas Pheras + City Palace Sangeet).
Q: Is it open to the public?
The hotel is exclusive to guests, but being part of the City Palace, there is tourist movement in the outer complex during the day. However, the hotel areas (Pool Deck, Lawns, Panera Terrace, room wings) remain private and access-controlled for wedding guests.
Q: Does it have a lake view?
Yes - many suites and the terrace areas (Panera Bar Terrace) offer stunning views of Lake Pichola and the island palaces (Taj Lake Palace, Jagmandir).
Q: Is the decor authentic?
Absolutely - the palace retains its original royal furniture, portraits, frescoes, marble inlay work and decor from the era of the Maharanas, offering an unmatched authentic 400-year heritage feel - unlike modern luxury hotels that replicate aesthetics.
Q: Are camel and horse baraats allowed?
Yes - horse and elephant baraats are permitted through the City Palace courtyards (camels typically not as the cobblestone heritage paving doesn't suit). Boat baraats from Jagmandir are also a signature option.
Q: How does Shiv Niwas compare to Fateh Prakash within City Palace?
Shiv Niwas is the crescent-shaped royal guest house with the Pool Deck (Octopussy fame); Fateh Prakash houses the Durbar Hall Sabhagaar (1,000kg crystal chandeliers) and Crystal Gallery. Both are HRH-managed sister properties in the same complex. Couples often combine: Shiv Niwas accommodation + Fateh Prakash Durbar Hall sangeet.
Q: What is the best season for a wedding here?
October to March (peak Nov-Feb). Avoid May-Aug (monsoon).
Q: Does Shiv Niwas allow outside decorators?
Yes, outside decorators are permitted with prior HRH approval. Heritage protocols apply - no damage to centuries-old architecture, frescoes or original furniture.
At a Glance
- Room Rate:
- Rs.35,000 - Rs.90,000 per room/night
- Capacity:
- Up to 500 guests across Lawns, Pool Deck & Panera Terrace
- Setting:
- Crescent-Shaped Royal Palace inside City Palace Complex
- Rooms:
- 36 Palace Rooms & 17 Suites (53 keys total)
- Best Season:
- October to March (peak: November-February)
- Category:
- 5-Star Heritage Royal Palace
Key Features
- Located inside the iconic City Palace Complex of Udaipur
- Managed by HRH Group of Hotels (Mewar Royal Family hospitality arm)
- Famous filming location for James Bond's "Octopussy" (1983) - Pool Deck
- Authentic 400-year royal interiors and furniture preserved
- Paantya - signature multi-cuisine heritage restaurant
- Close to Jagmandir Island Palace (sister HRH property, boat across lake)
- Sister property to Fateh Prakash Palace within same complex
- Crescent-shaped royal guest house architecture
- Royal Butler service (descendants of original Mewar palace staff)
- Outside decorators permitted with heritage protocols
Concierge Note
Ideal for sunset ceremonies. The best weather window is October to March (peak: November-February). Popular with NRI couples planning from abroad.
Plan Your Wedding Here
Inquire through us to access exclusive rates, perks, and seamless planning services.
Check AvailabilityOverview
Event Venues
Rooms
Other Facilities
Other Venues in Udaipur
More Inspiration for Your Wedding
Plan Your Wedding at Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur
Connect with our concierge to check availability, access exclusive partner rates, and schedule a private consultation.