Falaknuma Palace - The Library

The richest true wood paneled and embellished room in the palace, Falaknuma's library. There is nothing faux here, real rosewood and mahogany  are inlaid and polished to perfection. Some consider this the best preserved room in the palace. The magnificent coffered ceiling built to replicate one at Windsor castle  consists of sixteen square compartments each with its own lamp.  Ten matching armchairs are drawn up around the elaborately inlaid and decorated reading table. The VO monogram of the first Dewa is not only on the table but also on the the ceiling above. Stained glass panelled doors in the manner of all the doors on this level of the palace lead to the ladies gossip room and the breakfast meeting room.  Located just after the main hall on the main floor the library leads one out to the central courtyard through the final ante room.

Grand Verandas at Falaknuma Palace

There seemed to be miles of verandas at Falaknuma palace, cool shady covered access to all the principal rooms as well as almost every other area of the main palace block.  The main facade of course is very imposing, it's double storied colonaded facade with Iconic columns on the main level and Corinthian columns on the upper level. Cast iron railings manufactured in Glasgow and tons of Victorian English tiles for the floor designs were shipped to Hyderabad to complete the grand verandas in the front of Falaknuma. Gorgeous European lanterns in hexagonal or vase shapes with delicate metal frames, ruby red accent glass and incised patterns compliment the plaster swags of leaves decorating each doorway. Wooden dividers on the lower east side of the main building were designed to screen the retainers activities from view. The upper veranda now known as the Jade Veranda wraps around three sides allowing access from all the formal reception rooms. Breakfast served here is a very special treat!

Taj Falaknuma Palace - Relaxing and Rejuvenation!

Creating a 7 star hotel from a beautiful crumbling palace is no mean feat. The renovation of Falaknuma Palace took ten years and of course the hotel required a spa and pool area. Passing through the colonaded entrance to the women's quarters, past the doors to the regal Nizam suite you discover the spa and then the swimming pool area. Gardens recently restored are just coming into their own, unfortunately the tail end of a cyclone to the south didn't allow sparkling sunny day pictures but one can still imagine.