Tag Archives: India

Mementos Udaipur: Utopia in Rajasthan

If I could bottle up a dream vacation and relive it over and over, my stay at Mementos Udaipur would be it. This wasn’t just a getaway—it was a journey into unparalleled luxury, where every moment felt straight out of a fairytale. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like absolute royalty, with every detail of our stay meticulously crafted to perfection.

Mementos Udaipur

Located about 45 minutes outside of Udaipur city, Mementos Udaipur offers a tranquil retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The serene setting allows you to fully immerse yourself in relaxation and luxury, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan.

Mementos Udaipur

The Villa: A Private Slice of Paradise

Our home for this unforgettable escape was a sprawling, ultra-luxurious villa complete with a private garden and infinity pool. Mementos Udaipur delivered everything I could have dreamed of and more—imagine a spacious, exquisitely designed haven featuring the largest bathroom I’ve ever had in my life! Each morning, waking up to the peaceful sounds of nature and stepping straight into our private garden by the pool felt like absolute magic. It was truly a space fit for a queen.

Luxury Villa at Mementos Udaipur

But what really set it apart was the thoughtful personalization. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with beautifully displayed snacks and treats, along with a few framed photos of me set up in the room—such an incredibly sweet touch!

Stunning Room and Welcome Treats

Culinary Heaven at Every Turn

Every meal at Mementos Udaipur was a masterpiece. From indulgent breakfasts to decadent dinners, each bite was bursting with flavor and authenticity, prepared with the finest ingredients.

Exceptional Service at Mementos Udaipur

Whether it was a multi-course vegetarian thali feast at Royal Vega, rich North Indian flavors at Kebab & Curries, or the best South Indian dishes I’ve ever had at Udai Pavilion, the culinary team went above and beyond to create unforgettable dining experiences.

Best South Indian Food Ever!

I’ve stayed at many incredible properties around the world, but I can confidently say this was the first time I truly loved every single restaurant and every single meal. Mementos Udaipur is known for its exceptional culinary offerings, and it shows. I’ll be dreaming about these meals forever!

Royal Vega Vegetarian Feast

Magical Experiences

Our stay was filled with extraordinary moments, each more memorable than the last. At Mementos Udaipur, the focus isn’t just on luxury—it’s on creating truly immersive and unforgettable experiences. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to make guests feel special, and we were fortunate to enjoy some of the most incredible ones.

We started with a magnificent Afternoon Tea poolside in our private garden—a picture-perfect setup featuring specialty mocktails made just for us, delicate pastries, and savory treats. Sipping masala chai as we watched the sunset over the Aravalli Hills felt surreal.

Mementos Udaipur Afternoon Tea
Chai Time!

Then the next day we experienced the floating breakfast in the main infinity pool—one of those bucket-list experiences I had always dreamed of. Seeing a beautifully arranged tray of breakfast delicacies floating in the water was an Instagram-worthy moment for sure, but more importantly, it was a moment that truly made my heart sing. Something I will never forget.

Floating Breakfast at Mementos Udaipur

And then… there was THE picnic.

Nothing—absolutely nothing—could have prepared us for the “magic forest” picnic that the team arranged. Picture this: a breathtaking setup under a canopy of palm trees by the water, complete with colorful cushions, elegant rugs, fresh flowers, and a feast fit for royalty. It was so beyond stunning that I was literally rendered speechless. I joke that my expectations for all future picnics have now been completely skewed—because how can anything top this?!

Picnic at the Magic Forest at Mementos Udaipur
Living My BEST Life!

The Mementos Difference

What sets Mementos Udaipur apart isn’t just its luxurious accommodations or world-class cuisine—it’s the attention to detail and the warmth of the staff. The team showered us with thoughtful gifts throughout our stay, every request was met with a smile, and they anticipated our needs before we even realized them ourselves. From the moment we arrived, we felt like family.

One person who truly made our stay extraordinary was our butler, Tulika. She kept us on track with our daily activities, adjusted plans seamlessly when needed, and went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience. She was with us from check-in to check-out, and by the end of our stay, she felt like part of our family. There were so many times I just wanted to invite her to join us because that’s how incredible she was. The level of service here wasn’t just excellent—it was deeply personal.

Our Incredible Butler Tulika

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering a trip to Udaipur, do yourself a favor and book a stay at Mementos Udaipur. This is more than just a luxury resort—it’s an experience that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

Our time there was truly the trip of a lifetime, and I’m already dreaming of when I can return. Until then, I’ll be living vicariously through my photos and the unforgettable memories we created in this slice of paradise.

It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Soon!

See you soon, Mementos Udaipur!

Please Note: While this post is in partnership with Mementos Udaipur, all opinions are my own.

My Home Away From Home

These days when I visit India, my home base is Ahmedabad, the capital of the state of Gujarat. My parents purchased a flat there several years ago and do the whole “escape ridiculous winters in Chicago” and head to warmer climates. Smart people I must say!

Overlooking Ahmedabad
Overlooking Ahmedabad
Complex Where My Parents Live
Complex Where My Parents Live

Having our own home in India has been an insightful experience. It has me visiting more regularly (about every other year) as well as created more of a sense of what it’s like to live in India. I enjoy the change, but won’t lie, I think I’m just used to life in the US. It’s fun for a few weeks for me, but I like coming back to my home in Chicago.

One cool thing with my regular visits is that I’m seeing how much Ahmedabad (and India in general) are changing. Even on the street that my parents live, a huge new high-rise and tons of shopping and restaurant space are under construction, so I’m sure it will be even more bustling by my next visit. And, it’s crazy to see so many chains that I’m used to in the US popping up in Ahmedabad like Burger King, Forever 21 and H & M. Also, just the sheer volume of new restaurants is unbelievable. Too many for vegtourist to explore on such short visits!

By far the best part of being in Ahmedabad are all my relatives. I have quite a bit of family in the area and I always have the best time with them. We spend most of our time hanging out, shopping and eating out, so how can that not be fun??? Here are just a few pictures of my latest visit to Ahmedabad:

For all the times I’ve been to Ahmedabad, I haven’t really done much sight-seeing. I don’t’ think there is as much to see as other cities like Jaipur or Delhi, but I made it a point to do a little research and make sure I saw something new on this trip. I came across the Adalaj Stepwell during my Google search, and I knew this was the one place I needed to visit. My cousin Arth was kind enough to take me for a little morning trip and we had a blast exploring this beautiful site that dates back to the 15th century. Just stunning!

I hadn’t even left Ahmedabad yet before my family was asking when my return visit was going to be. I’m not sure. Until then, I miss all that Ahmedabad has to offer, mostly my loving family and the out-of-this-world delicious food. Hope to you soon!

Incredible India!

First of all, my sincerest apologies. I totally fell off the blog bandwagon and for some reason, I’ve had a bit of a hard time getting back on. But, I’m back, and promise not to be gone for so long again.

Part of the reason I was MIA was because I took an unbelievable trip to India for three weeks. It was one of the first times I can remember that it was truly just a trip to hang out and enjoy the Motherland.  And, I have to say it was definitely the trip of a lifetime. I literally did not want to come back home. My trip ended up being the perfect mix of spending time with my parents at their new flat in Ahmedabad, visiting with extended family and traveling to Goa and a few cities in Rajasthan. I shopped, laughed, ate and continued to learn about my culture and heritage on this unbelievable trip.

I have SO much to share, so I thought I’d at least start with some of my favorite pictures from my trip. Most all of these have already been posted on Instagram (vegtourist), but I’ve thrown in a few others just to mix it up. Enjoy and stay tuned for so much more.

At The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur

At The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur

View From The At The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur

View From The At The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur

Fresh, Organic Produce In The Market

Fresh, Organic Produce In The Market

Stunning Sunset In Goa

Stunning Sunset In Goa

Beautiful All-Marble Jain Temple In Ranakpur

Beautiful All-Marble Jain Temple In Ranakpur

Favorite Street Food Of Sev Puri

Favorite Street Food Of Sev Puri

On The Boat Ride To The Taj Lake Palace

On The Boat Ride To The Taj Lake Palace

Taj Lake Palace

Taj Lake Palace

Breakfast Spread At Taj Lake Palace

Breakfast Spread At Taj Lake Palace

Traditional Rajasthani Dance

Traditional Rajasthani Dance

Loved The Architecture In The Palaces

Loved The Architecture In The Palaces

Market Shopping Pretty Much Everyday

Market Shopping Pretty Much Everyday

Celebrating The Kite Festival Uttrayan In Ahmedabad

Celebrating The Kite Festival Uttrayan In Ahmedabad

I’m already ready to plan my next trip back. Who is coming with me this time?