The Falaknuma Palace was a former guest palace of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Falaknuma Palace which literally meant ‘mirror of the sky’ was aptly named since it towers 2000 feet over Hyderabad.
This magnificent palace played host to royalty and nobility alike in its heyday. The splendid interiors were left untouched to gather dust when its doors were shut till this scorpion shaped palace was leased out to the Taj Group and done up under the watchful eye of Her Highness Princess Esra.
When the refurbished Taj Falaknuma opened its doors recently it was a sight to behold and garnered great public interest. The palace drips royalty right from the yellow horse drawn carriage that transports the guests to the doors of this palace right out of fairy tale books. The liveried bearers look right in place in this fable and are on hand to guide the guests to the splendid main hall which has a beautiful fountain and Greek urns positioned around the area.
In the absence of the reception area and all the usual trappings of a usual hotel, the guests are made to feel like they are personal guests to the palace.
Each room is designed and decorated with such finesse that it is difficult to choose the best one. The miles of silk used for the upholstery, curtains, beds; the marble baths, the gold plated fittings; the brilliant carpets, cutlery and antique silverware, the furnishing, everything that has been used to bring out the true grandeur of the palace enhances its splendor.
The Durbar Hall is a huge area which has a long line of Venetian chandeliers hanging from end to end bringing the regal past into focus. The Jade Room done up in geometric parquet floors and an identical painted ceiling in Chinoserie fashion, the enormous dining-room with an equally huge table which has a seating capacity of a 101; the games room complete with a billiards table, a bar made from walnut wood, card tables, a hookah and a grand piano are to be seen to be believed.
The library is a veritable treasure of sorts with a huge range of rare manuscripts and books.
The Taj Falaknuma is a true vision of splendor and royalty that is very rarely seen today.
