Heritage Hotels

One of the largest princely states in central India, Bhopal was ruled by a succession of rulers who had the title of Nawab or Begum depending on whether it was a male or a female ruler. Not surprisingly, it has a number of palaces and palatial mansions. Two of these palaces have now been opened as heritage hotels retaining much of their original character.

The Noor-us-Sabah Palace was built by Nawab Sir Hamidullah Khan, ruler of Bhopal from 1926 to the accession, for his elder daughter Abida Sultana. Literally the Light of Dawn Palace, Noor-us-Sabah sits in sprawling gardens high on a hill overlooking Upper Lake – views can be enjoyed from the balconies, room windows and the lawns. You may spot classic cars in the portico. Enter through the reception hall which has Italian marble floors, chandeliers and princely relics like a silver polished palanquin.
The 19th century Jehan Numa Palace is an impressive palatial property located on the slopes of Shyamala Hills overlooking the city. This palace was built in the year 1890, during the rule of Jehan Begum, by her second son General Obaidullah Khan, Commander-in-Chief of the erstwhile Bhopal State Forces. His descendants opened this property in September 1983, as a heritage hotel. This European style palace, with immaculate lawns and gardens, has been sympathetically converted into a heritage hotel in keeping with its original European classical and British colonial architecture. You can try Bhopali food specialties in its restaurant. Staying in one of these two heritage hotels is one of the attractions of Bhopal.