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Since its construction in 1884, Falaknuma Palace has rarely been open to visitors, save for special guests of the Nizam like the king and queen of England. All that will change this spring when Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces opens Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad.

Set on a hillock, Falaknuma means “heavenly abode” and the architecture is a blend of Italian and Tudor design.

In keeping with Taj’s mission to sensitively restore authentic palaces to their former glory, Taj Falaknuma Palace limited accommodations to 60 rooms and suites.

Wimberly Allison Tong and Goo, leveraging their 50 years of experience in high-end design consultancy, created the conceptual architecture and sourced specialists from across the world to recreate old artifacts and structures.

The grandeur of Taj Falaknuma Palace is best represented in its detailing. Built in the shape of a scorpion over the course of nine years, the palace retains priceless collections of Belgian Osler chandeliers, paintings, statues, English furniture, stained glass windows, leather upholstered rosewood chairs, gold and crystal tables, ivory figurines and an Italian white marble fountain at the entrance, for starters.

The library has a walnut carved ceiling (a replica of that in Windsor Castle) and houses one of the finest collections of the holy Quran in India.

Construction of Falaknuma began in 1884, the same year Sir Vicar-Ul-Umra became prime minister of the Hyderabad State. Completed in 1893, the palace became the last word in eastern opulence and luxury. Sir Vicar made Falaknuma his home and played host to dinners, house parties, hunt breakfasts and visiting European royalty. All the furniture, paintings and other articles were made to order, as Sir Vicar wanted to create an ambiance of heaven. Unfortunately, the palace eventually led the prime minister into bankruptcy.

Since then, Falaknuma Palace has had many masters, from Nizam Mahboob Ali Pasha to Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur.

This spring it will join the ranks of Rambagh Palace, Taj Lake Palace, and Umaid Bhawan Palace in the Taj Luxury Hotels’ segment. Hyderabad is well connected by air and rail to all the major cities, and is 75 minutes from Mumbai and two hours from New Delhi by air.

For more information, visit www.tajhotels.com