The spectacular Taj Lake Palace in India’s Udaipur is home to Bond villain and jewel smuggler Octopussy.
Dubbed the ‘Floating Palace’, the building is home to the ‘Octopus Cult’, a group of ‘stray’ women who are fiercely loyal to their leader, Octopussy, their saviour.
James Bond manages to infiltrate the palace by swimming up in a crocodile disguise.
In reality, the palace used for the filming of Roger Moore’s James Bond film in 1983, is in fact a lavish five-star hotel with 83 rooms.
Like a mirage in the middle of the beautiful expanse of Lake Pichola is the magnificent palace formerly known as the Jag Niwas. Built between 1743 and 1746, the beautiful marble palace was the winter palace of Maharana Jagat Singh II of the royal dynasty of Mewar. The walls of this grand and beautiful masterpiece are made of white and black marble and adorned with semi-precious stones and ornamented niches. Elaborate gardens, fountains and pillared terraces adorn the interiors of the palace and magnificent courtyards where peacocks stroll by, recreate the magic of a bygone era. The Royal Butlers are descendants of the original palace retainers, serve guests with unforgotten grandeur and tradition.
The hotel offers 66 luxurious rooms and 17 grand suites, all retaining the original decor of the former palace. Every room offers breathtaking views of the lake that surrounds the property and the city of Udaipur in the distance. Sunsets and sunrises are a sight to behold here.
It has hosted distinguished and eminent personalities like Jacqueline Kennedy, Lord Curzon, Queen Elizabeth and Vivien Leigh. The Taj has painstakingly restored the palace to its former grandeur and beauty and it has now become one of the romantic destinations in the world.
