The Kumbha Palace hotel is a charming budget hotel in the middle of the old city. It is very peaceful because it is situated about 50 meters from the main road. All spacious and light rooms have attached toilet/shower with running hot shower. Hot water is available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m (solar-powered water heating-system). There is a gorgeous, big garden and an excellent roof-top-restaurant with views on the old city and the city-palace (romantically lit at night). Specialties: delicious oven baked pizzas, gratins, baked potatoes and a variety of vegetarian Indian dishes. The hotel offers free pick up from the railway-station, just mail or call ahead. The owners (Dinesh and Francine Jain) also run the Krishna Ranch for excellent, professionally guided horse-safaris in the beautiful surroundings of Udaipur. Horseback-riding is an excellent way to see the country-side and traditional Rajasthani village-life. The ranch is situated in the Aravali-mountains (7 km from Udaipur-city) and very peaceful. It is also possible to stay at the ranch in nicely decorated rural cottages. Horse-safaris are possible for 2.5 hours, 1/2 day, full day or more. Cottages can be booked through Hostelbookers. Both the hotel and horse-safaris are recommended in many travel guide-books (Lonely Planet, Rough guide, Guide du Routard etc.)