Royal treatment

If you thought royal palaces and heritage havelis converted into luxury properties was the prerogative of the state of Rajasthan,then here’s news. Karnal-based hotelier and former president of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) Manbeer Choudhary has formally announced the opening of Noor Mahal,a five-star luxury hotel designed like a palace of the past. “The number of international tourists travelling to India has shot up to nearly six million and there is a fascination for Indian royal architecture which hotels are now thriving on. There are no forts or palaces in Karnal but we saw immense opportunity in such a property,” remarked Choudhary,showing visuals of the upcoming hotel with its Mughal inspired courtyards and niches. The 122-room luxury ‘palace’,located on the national highway in Karnal,holds seven banquet halls including the lavish Darbar Hall. Apart from the royal looks,Noor Mahal offers modern five-star amenities such as contemporary furnished rooms,a spa and wellness centre,besides speciality restaurants. “We are targeting not just the corporate crowd but families heading to the hills on vacation or people looking for a weekend break,” adds Choudhary,who completed the project in less than two years. With room tariffs starting at Rs 5,000 a night,it’s royalty at a budget.