Taj Falaknuma Palace

About

"Falaknuma" translates to "Mirror of the Sky," and this palace sits 2,000 feet above Hyderabad, offering a bird's-eye view of the city. Once the residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad (then the richest man in the world), it was leased to the Taj Group and painstakingly restored over a decade. The arrival is dramatic: guests travel the final mile in a horse-drawn carriage. The palace is built in the shape of a scorpion and is a treasure trove of rare artifacts, including the world’s largest dining table which seats 101 guests. The library is a replica of the one at Windsor Castle and houses thousands of rare books. The interiors feature Venetian chandeliers, Italian marble staircases, and stained-glass windows. Guests can take the "Nizam’s Heritage Walk" with the palace historian to learn about the opulent lifestyle of the Hyderabadi royals. Dining at 'Adaa' offers authentic Hyderabadi slow-cooked cuisine. A stay here is a journey back to the era of the Nizams.