Hyderabad, Oct 12 (IANS) The Taj Falaknuma here has been awarded number one position among the best palace hotels in the world category for 2015 by the world's leading travel and tourism website - Trip Advisor.
The coveted award is given to hospitality industry's best that have attained outstanding reviews from discerning travelers across the world, according to a statement by Taj Falaknuma.
After 10 years of sensitive restoration, the Taj Group of Hotels presented opened this 60 room private palace in 2010 to offer its guests a glimpse of the imperial lifestyle of the Nizams, the rulers of erstwhile Hyderabad state.
Once the residence of Mir Mahboob Ali Khan (1869-1911), the sixth Nizam, the palace had been lying unused since 1911.
It was Nawab Vaqar-ul-Umra, the Nizam's prime minister, who built the palace in 1893. Impressed by its magnificence, the Nizam bought it for himself.
It is among the most luxurious of all Baroque mansions in India. The interiors of the Taj Falaknuma Palace are a statement in royal opulence, replete in its large Venetian chandeliers, rare furniture, grand marble staircases, priceless statues and objects d'art and murals encased in ornate frames along with a Palace Library, which is a collector's envy and home to rare manuscripts and an acclaimed collections of books.
"It is our constant endeavour to offer unique and impeccable experiences to our guests. This award is really a testament to our staff's efforts to accord world-class service, deeply rooted in India's rich tradition of Indian hospitality delivered with warmth and sincerity to our guests," said Taj Falaknuma Palace general manager Girish Sehgal.
Taj Falaknuma Palace was also recently acknowledged by Conde Nast Traveller UK Readers' Travel Award for being amongst the world's best hotels and Travel + Leisure India & South Asia's India's Best Heritage Hotel Awards 2015.
