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Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad: Live it up Like the Nawabs

Meena Nair

Last updated: Apr 16, 2018

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See

Do visit Charminar, which is just 4 kilometers from the palace

Do

Visit the palace’s Hookha Lounge and enjoy an array of fumes, coupled with some refreshing cocktails.

Click

Sunset is a great time to capture the palace in all its hues

Eat

Walk towards their restaurant Adaa and be greeted with peacocks and peahens. Even as you revel in this experience, you will be treated to ultra-delicious Hyderabadi cuisine – right from the royal kitchen

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A jewel among the clouds is what Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad can be best described as. Situated at 2000 feet above sea level and spreading across 32 acres, this former palace of the Nizam, who was also once the richest man in the world, offers spectacular view of the Hyderabad skyline from each of its 60 luxurious rooms. Live here like the Nizam and savour these exotic signature experiences:

Glamorous Arrival

Gear up for a spectacular welcome—the same manner as the Nizam would have welcomed his guests. A luxury car brings you from the airport to the palace gates, from where you step into a regal horse-driven carriage and ride towards the palace. There you will be ushered in, and as you ascend the Grand Staircase, you will be showered with rose petals—an experience you cannot easily forget.

Dine like a Royal

Dinning here is an experience in itself and a must-do for tourists visiting Hyderabad. Opt for their private dining at Gol Bungalow where they will create a fairy-tale like setting under the star-lit sky, surrounded by twinkling lights of the Hyderabad city. Savour savour rich, mouth-watering Indian cuisine made with the most exotic of ingredients and spices. If you are travelling with kids, the staff is kind enough to take care of them while you enjoy your meal and the ambience in peace. Another highly recommended option is the afternoon high tea at Jade Terrace, where you will be offered tea in the same manner as the Nizams were offered.

Read More: Top 5 places to visit in Hyderabad

Nawab-E-Khas at Jiva Spa

Make time for the signature treatment that has all the finest ingredients once used by the Nizam for relaxation and rejuvenation! It includes a soothing foot massage, followed by a rich body scrub made of rose petals, saffron, almonds and herbs. Your body is exfoliated by soft, leisurely strokes that cleanse and relax you. This is followed by a facial scrub and summed up with a soft yet thorough massage with a one-of-its-kind hand-blended oil that eases you into a rare sense of tranquillity. As you bask in this experience, sip on the refreshing sherbet made of fruits, herbs and the distilled fragrance of flowers.       

Read More: 7 places to visit near Hyderabad

Brush with History through Heritage Walk

Take a guided tour of the palace to soak in its rich history. You can begin with the Nizam’s study and browse through the 6000 books. Mind you! Some are the original first edition like the Titanic and Encyclopedia from the 1990s. Absorb the grandeur of the beautiful fountains, the fascinating statues, the Carrera marble lamps, the huge portraits of the Nizams and the royal marble staircases. Move into the Jade Room that once served as the state reception, and is adorned with bohemian chandeliers. Peep into the Chief Queen’s Chamber, where her majesty and her friends would have shared gossips; and the Ball Room, which was once the Durbar Hall. A Billiards Table from that era still holds fort here. Then there is the Hookha Lounge with its multi-stemmed water pipe. But what takes the cake is the Dining Room with the longest dining table in the world that had in the past served 101 guests, who had the privilege of using Nizam’s special gold cutlery and plates. Don’t miss the Mughal, Rajasthani and Japanese gardens that further add to the glamour of the palace. The Heritage Walk is usually followed by a high tea at the palace.

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Visit places near Falaknuma Palace

Golconda Fort stands in ruins atop a hill, but its majestic aura still draws a number of tourists. Drown in the incredible views of the city from here and marvel at the mosques, massive palaces and a robust water system. Visiting timings are from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

The Qutb Shahi Tomb is a collection of 21 granite tombs that have been beautifully decorated with exquisite embellishments. Seven rulers from the Qutb Shahi dynasty, their family members and courtesans lie at rest here. An ethereal sense of peace envelops you as you walk past the tombs and the landscaped garden they stand on.

Chowmahalla Palace is home to various historical exhibits. Tell us if you are not bowled over by the spectacular Khilwat Mubarak—an architectural wonder with its 19 regal Belgian chandeliers and a sparkling yellow Rolls Royce dating back to 1911. Visiting timings are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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