The Royal Retreat Resort & Spa

The Royal Retreat Resort & Spa is a five-star property spread across 12 acres of natural surroundings in Village Hawala, on Badi Hawala Road, near the Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The resort explicitly declares itself a pet-friendly hotel on its own website — "All furs and feathers are welcome" — and Booking.com confirms pets are allowed at no extra charge. With 110 rooms across 7 categories, multiple swimming pools, a spa, and 2 restaurants spread across its Aravalli-facing grounds, this is one of the most substantial pet-friendly stays in Rajasthan for travellers who refuse to leave their dogs behind.

The Setting: 12 Acres on the Aravalli Range

Located in the Hawala village area on the outskirts of Udaipur, The Royal Retreat sits at the foothills of the Aravalli range, close to Sajjangarh Fort — a setting that immediately separates it from the city-centre heritage hotels. The 12-acre campus means your dog actually has room to stretch. Rooms and suites are connected through walkways around the swimming pools, and the grounds are described by long-term guests as "brimming with culture and art" — every corner of the property features artefacts from the owner's personal collection. The resort is run by Mr Dushyant Periwal and his wife Mrs Ayesha, and repeat visitors specifically note the personal attention the ownership brings to every stay. For a pet parent, this kind of owner-operated ethos typically translates into a more accommodating, less bureaucratic experience than a corporate chain property.

The resort is located approximately 6 km from City Palace and Sajjangarh Fort, and 8 km from Lake Pichola, according to Booking.com. Maharana Pratap Airport is 31 km away, and the property offers airport pickup and drop service. Free private parking is available on site — straightforward for anyone arriving by road with a dog in tow.

Pet Policy: No Extra Charges, All Species Welcome

The resort's pet policy is one of the most openly stated we've seen from a five-star property in India. The website doesn't just mention pets in the fine print — it leads with a dedicated pet-friendly declaration on the accommodation page, accompanied by a photograph of a Shih Tzu on the property. The tagline "all furs and feathers are welcome" suggests the hotel accepts dogs, cats, and birds — not just small lap dogs. Booking.com confirms this with a "Free!" badge against the pets entry, stating explicitly: "Pets are allowed. No extra charges." This is one of the clearest no-pet-fee confirmations available for a five-star resort in Rajasthan.

What the sources do not specify: whether there are breed restrictions, weight limits, or a cap on the number of pets per room. Before arriving with a large dog like a Labrador or Golden Retriever, it's worth calling the property directly to confirm they're comfortable with your dog's size. The phone number listed is 091160 14964.

Facilities Worth Knowing About

The resort runs two restaurants offering Indian, World, and Fusion cuisine, a spa and wellness centre, a fitness centre, a bar, and a year-round outdoor swimming pool. Golf cart transfers are available within the property — useful across a 12-acre campus. The hotel also provides butler service, doctor-on-call and first aid, airport transfers, laundry, high-speed WiFi, and 24-hour room service. Breakfast is Continental and Buffet. For guests travelling with pets, the scale of the property matters: 12 acres of walkable grounds means your dog isn't confined to a corridor or a balcony. The resort's location near Sajjangarh also means early-morning walks on Badi Hawala Road are genuinely pleasant — relatively quiet, with Aravalli views rather than city traffic.

The property has a Booking.com location score of 8.2. Guest reviews consistently highlight cleanliness, food quality, and the staff's attentiveness. One repeat visitor noted they have been returning annually for seven years, specifically citing the ownership's personal involvement in maintaining standards.

What to Confirm Before You Visit

While the pet-friendly status is clearly confirmed, a few details are worth verifying directly with the property before booking: whether pets are permitted inside guest rooms (the sources confirm pets are allowed at the property but do not explicitly state in-room policy), any breed or size preferences the resort may have, and whether specific room categories are designated for pet-staying guests. The hotel accepts American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and JCB — cash is not accepted at checkout. Check-in is from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM and check-out is from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.