Inside India's Oberoi Udaivilas palace which has been voted as world's best hotel

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Guests arrive at the hotel across a lake by private boat, and can book one of the nine premier suites on offer
The sumptuous 50-acre hotel in Rajasthan beat stiff world-wide competition to be given the accolade
Oberoi Udaivilas has a five-star rating on TripAdvisor, with many describing their stay as a 'royal retreat'

By Becky Pemberton For Mailonline

Published: 02:16 EST, 10 July 2015 | Updated: 04:24 EST, 10 July 2015

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Fit for a maharaja, the newly coronated 'best hotel in the world' is a sprawling palatial resort in Western India.

This sumptuous 50-acre Oberoi Udaivilas in Rajasthan beat stiff competition from around the world to be given the accolade in a recent magazine reader poll - for the second year running.

Overlooking a fairy tale lake the opulent hotel combines modern conveniences within a historic and romantic setting.

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The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, India, has been voted the world's best hotel in a recent reader survey

This sumptuous 50-acre resort beat stiff world-wide competition to be given the award for the second year running

The hotel offers a level of luxury that few hotels anywhere can match - and its setting is more than eye-catching

The hotel was judged by the readers of Travel + Leisure's World in their annual awards for excellence in hospitality and travel.

Readers rate their experiences and evaluate hotels across the world on the following characteristics - rooms and facilities, location, service, restaurants, food and value.

The five-star hotel has a full five out of five rating on TripAdvisor, with many describing their stay as a 'royal retreat.'

Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group said: 'We are honoured that we have been able to play a small role in 'Make in India' by being the best hotel brand in the world and also having the best hotel in the world.

'The Brand 'Oberoi Hotels & Resorts' has received this recognition from among the 6.5 million readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.

'I dedicate this award to our guests and to all employees of The Oberoi Group. Our people are our biggest asset - they have worked passionately to ensure our guests receive warm, personalised and caring service.'

Take a look inside the luxurious Oberoi Udaivilas in India

Guests arrive at the domed palace by private boat, and have the option of staying in one of nine Premier rooms which offer views of wildlife such as peacocks and white-spotted deer

The hotel has an almost other-worldly level of luxury, with manicured lawns, an ornate swimming pool and regal architecture

Overlooking a fairy tale lake the opulent hotel combines modern conveniences within a historic and romantic setting

Take part in the many options on offer such as culinary classes, yoga, camel rides, Henna lessons, art classes, lake cruises, sightseeing tours and luxury on-site spa treatments

Readers in the poll rated their experiences and evaluated hotels across the world on the following characteristics - rooms and facilities, location, service, restaurants, food and value

Guests arrive at the domed palace by private boat, and have the option of staying in one of nine Premier rooms with a semi-private pool and terrace, which offer views of wildlife such as peacocks and white-spotted deer.

There is an 18th-century former palace on-site, Bada Mahal, which guests can explore at leisure before trying their hand at the many activities available such as culinary classes, yoga, camel rides, Henna lessons, art classes, lake cruises, sightseeing tours and luxury on-site spa treatments.

Mr. Nathan Lump, Editor at Travel + Leisure said: 'It's a pretty tough thing to be named both the top hotel brand and have the top-ranked hotel in the same year, but Oberoi Hotels & Resorts have made it to the top spots.

'Thanks not only to properties of exceptional quality in picture-perfect locations, but also due to service standard that Travel + Leisure readers say go above and beyond.'

The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, was given a near-perfect score of 99 by readers of the US publication

The five-star hotel has a full five-star rating on TripAdvisor, with many describing their stay as a 'royal retreat'

The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, is no stranger to awards with TripAdvisor users voting the palatial resort the best hotel in India in 2014

The property used to serve as a hunting ground 200 years ago, and also features a wildlife conservatory that is home to Indian spotted deer, wild boar and peacocks

WORLD'S TOP HOTELS OF 2015

1. Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India

2. Hotel Castello di Casole — a Timbers Resort, Casole d'Elsa, Italy

3. Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

4. Triple Creek Ranch Darby, Montana

5. Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India

6. Four Seasons Hotel, Istanbul at Sultanahmet, Turkey

7. Singita Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park Area, South Africa

8. Farmhouse Inn, Forestville, California (three-way tie)

8. The Peninsula Shanghai

8. Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Luxury Collection Resort, Key West, Florida

Source: Travel + Leisure magazine

There is an 18th-century former palace on-site, Bada Mahal, which guests can explore at leisure before trying their hand at the many activities available