Taj Falaknuma Palace: What Would The Nizam Do?

  • June 9, 2011
Taj Falaknuma Palace: What Would The Nizam Do?
Now you can make like a nabob in one of his extraordinary homes, Falaknuma Palace, which was restored by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces this past November.

What would the Nizam do?

• Read: The Library, whose ceiling is a replica of the one at Windsor Palace, contains 5,900 books selected by the Nizam including a rare edition of the holy Quran
• Gossip: Falaknuma has the longest dining table in the world, seating 101 guests, and a single conversation can be heard around the table thanks to the room's acoustics
• Dine: Under the Gol Bungalow, a dome of hand-painted glass lit with candles, overlooking the city of Hyderabad 2,000 feet below
• Dress for dinner: A local designer creates traditional silk Hyderabadi attire for Falaknuma guests, a tailored Sherwani suit or elegant Khara Dupatta, with jewelry
• Spa: The Jiva Grand Spa's 2.5 hour Nawab-e-Khas is inspired by a royal treatment using rose petals, crushed almonds, vetiver, saffron and herbs
• Shop: The Khazana boutique edits the best of Hyderabadi shopping (famous for pearls) in this on-site boutique which also displays treasures from the Nizam's private collection
• Count diamonds: In the Grand Presidential Suite, formerly the Nizam's personal quarters, which includes a small swimming pool and a butler
• Learn: Eccentricities, such as the Nizam's 5 Rolls Royces, are shared on the Champagne Palace and Garden Walk led by the Palace Historian, a 15-year Falaknuma veteran.

The city of Hyderabad lies at the crossroads of north and south India and is known by several names: City of Pearls, Cyberdad and Tollywood. How to explore this 400-year-old city?

• Culinary tour: A guided visit to the food market and a trip to an old Hyderbadi home to help cook a traditional meal, then enjoy a leisurely lunch with a local family
• Shopping: Lacquer bangles, traditional bidri (intricate metal decorative objects), fabrics, perfumes, art, handicrafts and pearls!
• Historical tour: The city-center at Charminar, the Salarjung Museum, and Golconda Fort, famous for producing the world's most famous stones like the Koh-i-noor and Hope diamonds
• Nizam culture: Purani Haveli, a museum containing the Nizam's vast wardrobe (he never wore the same outfit twice), and Weavers' Colony, selling exquisite silks and other fabrics.

Hotel Profile: Taj Falaknuma Palace