What if we told you that you could experience typical Rajasthani royalty and hospitality, just two hours away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi? Sure, every short weekend getaway seems done and dusted, way too many times, but, this one time, just hear us out because just two hours away from Delhi is a gorgeous piece of Rajasthani royalty that’s waiting to be explored by you. 

Noor Mahal

Noor Mahal, in Karnal – said to be the mystical land of the Mahabharata – has been described as an ‘incredible Indian palace hotel’ by travellers and websites, alike. 

Noor Mahal

Right off the highway the palatial property is spread over 10 acres and 3,50,000 square feet of carpet area, standing out quite gloriously. 

Located along the old course of the Yamuna river, the Noor Mahal makes for an ideal getaway on a long weekend and a short holiday if you’re looking for some royal heritage in the midst of nature that isn’t too cut off from the world, yet, gives you the perfect detour to unwind in the stillness of the open fields and greenery. 

The off-white structure glistens in broad daylight and glimmers at night, looking as breathtaking as a fairy tale castle straight out of a Disney movie! 

On entering, the guests are welcomed with some Rajasthani folk music and dancers who instantly put you in the holiday spirit for the entire duration of your stay. 

Dessidre/Instagram

Suddenly, you’re not even in the NCR anymore! Instead, you’re transported to a far away land in Rajasthan, surrounded by nothing, but the rising sun in the East, the setting sun in the West, some serenity and a quietude that envelopes you, instantly.  

As soon as you enter the hotel, you are blown away by the rich display of art and architecture that beautifully captures Indian heritage and tradition – from glass work on the ceilings, to well curated antique paintings hung around the walls of the lobby and the passageways all across the vast property.  

Dessidre/Instagram

Noor Mahal’s two courtyards, named after Mughal Emperor Akbar’s own palace courtyards. The Diwaan-i-aam is directly accessible to anyone from the lobby while the Diwaan-i-khaas which is a more exclusive courtyard available to the guests staying at the hotel and for intimate outdoor functions held by hotel guests.  

Noor Mahal

The hotel has a total of 122 rooms and suites, each distinctive in design and still having a common cultural aesthetic element that forms the entirety of the palatial structure. 

Noor Mahal

One of their star attractions happens to be the ‘Khwabgah’ their palatial suite designed and styled around Rajasthani royalty and heritage. 

The suite comes with two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, separate bar, office chamber with a private terrace that gives you an overview of the beautiful city of Karnal. And in case that wasn’t enough, the suite comes with a private butler!  

You can wake up to watch the sunrise and stand transfixed at the beautiful sunset in the evening, as melodious Rajsthani music – playing in the courtyard – drifts to your ears and you can choose to join the folk singers as you sit and enjoy their song and dance. 

Dessidre/Instagram
Dessidre/Instagram

When it comes to its culinary offerings, you can leave Noor Mahal without having visited their fine dine outlet, called Frontier Mail. The specialty of the restaurant, aside from the inherently Indian cuisine, is the design and aesthetic. 

Dessidre/Instagram

Designed to look like an olden days’ train and station, the Frontier Mail is like walking into an interactive Indian museum that houses memories of India’s historical moments. 

Dessidre/Instagram

You can choose to dine at an intimate window seat on the train that makes up for the entire left-hand side of the restaurant, or you can opt for a more open space that overlooks the live kitchen on one side and a stage on the other side for live performances every weekend. 

You can also indulge in a lavish spa session or just hit the pool which has its own vintage charm, splashed with modern elements and enjoy a chill sundowner! 

But, whatever you do, don’t miss out on catching a sunrise, or sunset on the Noor Mahal’s rooftop that gives you a panoramic view of the entire city that is unparalleled; and a high tea session at their Rambagh gardens where you sip on a cup of lovely breakfast tea and cookies, just like the royals do!  

Time to check your calendar for the next long weekend and book your weekend getaway amidst colonial memories, palatial royalty and a cultural explosion that will leave you feeling, relaxed, rejuvenated and royal!  

Noor Mahal

Fair warning though; you may never want to leave. 

You can book a stay here