Taj Falaknuma Palace

Perched on a hill 2,000 feet above the storied City of Pearls, and surrounded by 32 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, the palace has a fairy tale quality to it. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be made to feel like the royalty who long lived here by the palace’s attentive butlers.

Taj Falaknuma Palace’s 60 luxurious rooms and suites have been lovingly refurbished by the Nizam’s wife, Her Highness Princess Esra, with each one providing beautiful views of the palace courtyard and Hyderabad beyond. The lavish Palace Rooms feature plush canopied beds, rich oak floors and authentic tapestries hanging on the walls. Historical Suites reflect the era in which the palace was built, with Edwardian artwork, antique furniture and grand, high ceilings, and the stunning Royal Suites feature 120-year-old teak rafters.

For the ultimate in regal luxury, request the scorpion-shaped Nizam Suite, which was once the home of the world’s richest man and features a huge private swimming pool and stunning Carrara marble bathroom.

Traditional Indian specialities are the order of the day at Adaa, which uses slow-cooking techniques to serve up delicious Hyderabadi fare. Classical Italian and Mediterranean specialities are on offer at Celeste, where the huge dining hall is spectacularly lit by Belgian chandeliers. Breakfast is served on the picturesque Jade Terrace, as is afternoon tea, and private dinners can be arranged on the terrace of the Gol Bungalow, which affords magnificent night-time views over Hyderabad. At the Hookah Lounge, you can enjoy a traditional shisha accompanied by an inventive cocktail, like a Jasmine Sour Martini or Orange Coriander Mojito.

The luxurious Jiva Spa, rooted in the Ayurveda tradition, offers a range of traditional treatments, complemented by a healthy menu based on the principles of Ayurvedic cooking. Facilities at the spa include three massage rooms, a beauty suite, a steam room and hot and cold showers.

Hyderabad, known as the City of Pearls for its long history as a centre for diamond and pearl trading, is an impossibly atmospheric and evocative old city. Many of its bazaars and markets have been bustling for hundreds of years and are fantastic places to get lost in for a few hours. These include Laad Bazaar, famous for its bangles; Sultan Bazaar, which specialises in women’s clothing and silverware; and Begum Bazaar, which specialises in pretty much anything and everything.