This is not a 5 star hotel. One could say the architecture, location, and view are 5 stars, but I could not call the cleanliness, decor, upkeep, food or service 5 stars. Compared to other hotels of similar price point, Shiv Niwas was an overall disappointment. The facilities are dodgy - for example in the suite, the A/C was controlled by a dial on the nightstand. There was no temperature gauge - just a dial - and if you turned it up above the very lowest setting it sounded suddenly were on an airplane landing strip. The towels were thin and threadbare. A five star hotel should provide decent towels. The breakfast was nice but I had one very lousy dinner and another mediocre dinner (room service). I did not feel the service/hospitality were up to standard for India - it was inconsistent and felt somewhat ingenuine. The beds and pillows were comfortable. One of my nights I stayed in a Lake view terrace suite and the view out the sliding door would have been perfect if the hotel wouldn't have put a stupid sticker with a warning to keep the door shut right in the middle of your view. Because that sticker was on the door obstructing my view, I kept my door open, ignoring the sticker's request. If you don't want people leaving the door open, don't give them a reason to. I think there are much better properties in Udaipur at the same price point. You pay high dollar to stay on city palace grounds but you can get similar views without the hassle elsewhere.
