Durva's Travel Diaries: A Surprise weekend at The Taj Falaknuma Palace !!

A long weekend surprise to the 400 year old city of Hyderabad, famous for the Charminar monument and Pearls; now with its restored jewel back in its crown – The Falaknuma Palace or “Mirror of the Sky” deserves a mention. From the time you set foot on the airport, a butler awaits your arrival and drives you in a black Jaguar to the hotel. Arriving at the Palace portals is a stately and solemn ceremony. The sprinkling rose water, the stately salute and the fragrance of jasmine garlands usher in a celebrated lifestyle. The royal carriage drawn majestically by twin white steeds  brings us to the welcoming doors of the The Taj Falaknuma Palace, to reside in its opulent interiors, dine at a table that seats 101 and live like Royalty! The Nizam dynasty may have come to an end but the pomp, glory and splendour live on.   

Built in 1894, The Palace has played host to the stately and the significant. What time had worn, the Taj has lovingly restored. The Palace of the Nizam in Hyderabad is all set to make you feel like Royalty! Indeed Royal are the treatments. Be it ones at the Jiva Spa where theNawab E khas treatment rejuvenates your mind or for that matter the walk down memory lane with the Palace historian who takes you through the historical significance of the Palace recounting myriad tales of an extraordinary dynasty that possessed a collection of fabulous palaces, insurmountable wealth, beautiful women; of a time when the Nizam was the richest man in the world and luxury reigned supreme!

Worth a special mention were the Royal ensembles designed for us to wear with traditional jewelry and be photographed in them! The evenings are magical when the Palace dances to the beats of the Sufi Qawali. The dining experience is equally enchanting. Both the restaurants are equipped to give you a taste of local legends and global treats. The Hookah Lounge where cognac and pedigreed cigars are in intimate conversation with you. All this and more, in addition to our Palace butler who was there to take care of our every conceivable comfort.


 The Palace houses ornate inlaid furniture, a fine collection of porcelain and objet‘d’ art, royal portraits, handcrafted tapestries, brocades from France and exquisite crockery from the Nizam’s personal collection. Walk through the Palace at sunset and revel in astonishing stories of Polo playing princes, martini soaked lunches and Princesses in billowing chiffons; of a time when opulence was only a way of life!