Words such as 'iconic' and 'heritage' barely do the Taj Lake Palace justice. A notable sightseeing destination in its own right, the historic property rests in the middle of Udaipur's picturesque Lake Pichola, as it has since its construction in 1746. Over time it has served as the Maharana's personal pleasure palace, and also starred in a Bond film, but under the hands of the Taj group it is has been fully restored above and beyond former glory. 83 luxurious rooms ooze character, but are still replete with all modern amenities. High-end dining can be had at two restaurants, while the onsite spa provides pampering fit for royalty.