Taj Falaknuma Palace is a historical landmark that was once the former palace of the Nizam of Hyderabad. “Falaknuma” means “Mirror of the Sky,” and the name refers to the palace’s elevated position about 500 feet above the city. From the garden that fronts the main entrance, the hotel overlooks the 400-year-old city of Hyderabad. It now offers a tranquil oasis for discerning travellers and is perhaps the most opulent palace hotel in India.
The 19th-century Falaknuma Palace is a blend of Tudor, Italian and Baroque architecture. Inside, there's a vestibule, its walls and ceilings adorned with frescoes, Greek urns and alabaster nymphs. The museum-quality reception rooms are furnished in late-Victorian style. The hotel’s common spaces reflect an atmosphere of old-school glamour, with carved mahogany ceilings, venetian chandeliers, and burbling indoor fountains¬. Guests are welcome to laze about the study, inspired by Windsor Castle and stocked with more than 5,900 volumes.
The 46 royal rooms and 14 suites in the Falaknuma Palace are appropriately regal, done up with antique furniture, Turkish carpets, embroidered silk draperies, and Italian marble baths. Luxury and Palace Rooms face the themed gardens of the central courtyard and are furnished in rich fabrics, gleaming oak wood floors, hand-painted walls. The Historical and Royal Suites with Edwardian accents, antique furnishings and Burmese teak are each restored to almost exactly replicate their original decor.
Stay Taj Falaknuma Palace has 46 royal rooms and 14 suites. Built in a baroque style, the hotel blends old world style with modern sophistication and comfort. Inside there's a vestibule, its walls and ceilings adorned with frescoes, Greek urns and alabaster nymphs. Luxury Rooms are adorned with colonial-era polished wood furniture, splendid valance curtains, and Italian marble floors. Palace Rooms have regal canopied bed, with oak wood floors and hand-painted wall motifs.
Located at the pincers of this scorpion-shaped Falaknuma Palace, are two Historical Suites. These grand high ceilings suites have delicate Edwardian artwork, antique furniture and luscious fabrics personally hand-picked by Her Highness Princess Esra. The Royal Suites are completed with stunning 120-year-old Burma teak rafters, polished to perfection, its own private swimming pool, and a private Jacuzzi.
ChildCare Children are welcome to stay at the Taj Falaknuma Palace but there are no specific facilities available for them. Babysitting can be arranged upon request. However, items like toiletries for children and some game items are provided. There are also some children friendly activities conducted at the hotel to keep them busy.
Dine Falaknuma Palace has two accomplished restaurants: Celeste, specialises in Mediterranean cuisine; and Adá, whose forte is highly refined Hyderabadi specialties, prepared in the slow-cooking style. Above, on a terrace under the coloured-glass canopy, guests take cocktails as the sun sets, appreciating the subtly shifting colours of the palace and sky; slowly understand the meaning of Falaknuma or "mirror of the sky".
Breakfast is at Jade Verandah where the ‘Charminar breakfast’ recreates the same experience previously offered by the Nizams at Falaknuma to visiting dignitaries. At lunchtime, opt for a simple salad in the Rotunda next to the swimming pool. The Jade Room, once used for royal gatherings is the ideal place for afternoon tea.
Relax The pool provides a tranquil setting in which to relax with a book or to recover from the rigors of the morning’s sightseeing. It meanders through a tropical garden and is better for cooling off than for swimming laps. The Falaknuma Palace’s Royal Jiva Spa transports you to a time when relaxation was both a finely-honed art and a practised science. The experiences are masterminded by well-trained experts armed with exclusive natural products and a gentle approach to all round healing.
Experience For royal experiences, take a history & architecture tour of this Nizam’s former residence that has undergone a loving restoration under the supervision of Princess Esra. Take heritage walk through the former home of the Nizam, the world’s richest man. You can also request for a spectacular arrival and begin your experience like the Nizam and his entourage from yesteryears with a special welcome. In the evening, request for private dining in fairy tale settings.
Oct-Feb
32°C
HYD
GMT+ 5.3
Indian Rupees (INR)
Location Taj Falaknuma Palace is located on a 32-acre hilltop estate in Falaknuma. Situated in Hyderabad, Taj Falaknuma Palace is close to Mecca Masjid, Charminar, and Salar Jung Museum.
Getting There Hyderabad's new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) is located 22 km from the city. The elevated expressway to the city takes 20 minutes. Most airports offer a pre-paid taxi service that allows travellers to book a taxi for a fixed price.
When to go The best time to travel to Hyderabad is between September and March. Summer in Hyderabad starts in April and by June, it becomes very hot. By July there is the south-west monsoon, which brings warm rain. Although the word "monsoon" often brings to mind images of torrential floods, the monsoon season is not a bad time to travel to Hyderabad. Although it rains nearly every day, the downpour tends to come and go quickly, leaving behind a clean, glistening landscape.
Destination
Southern, IndiaHotel Type
HistoricLocation Type
City/Town
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