Jehan Numa Palace

Bhopal is the perfect base to explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Sanchi and Bhimbetka caves located only an hour’s drive away. And while there are luxurious stays in Bhopal, none other is better than the Jehan Numa Palace, steeped in the history and heritage of the city.

Although it was originally built as an office for General Obaidullah Khan, commander-in-chief of the Bhopal State Force, and the second son of Nawab Sultan Jehan Begum, his grandsons Nadir and the late Yawar Rashid, decided to restore and seamlessly expand the heritage edifice and transformed it into a heritage hotel where guests could savour royal Bhopali hospitality and cuisine. The palace walls and corridors are adorned with vintage photographs.

The hotel is an amalgam of Nawabi hospitality and contemporary comfort, the radiant white façade against the backdrop of lush gardens hides a real treasure. Nestled on the slopes of Shamla hill, the main edifice is an amalgamation of British Colonial, Italian Renaissance, and Classical Greek architecture. Inside, wide colonnaded corridors adorned with vintage photographs and antiques open out to a central courtyard flanked by shady palm trees. After a day of exploring the heritage sights of the city, guests can tuck into delicious the Nawabi cuisine of Bhopal at the hotel’s Indian restaurants which have a timeless collection of dishes that have been passed down many generations. Most rooms offer views of the delightful courtyard or open out to balconies that look over the charming swimming pool flanked by breezy palms.

Location

Set on the slope of Shamla Hill the hotel is located centrally in the city of Bhopal and favourably near the city’s sights: the Upper Lake, Van Vihar, and the city museum. Although it is located in the city it is completely sheltered from the city noises and traffic.

Things to know

  • Bhopal airport is around 7kms from the hotel.
  • The hotel houses a museum that showcases pre-Independence royalty in the form of well-preserved photographs, paintings, and vintage artifacts that includes the general’s favorite hansom cab. It also features a QR code-enabled Walk-In Museum audio guide.
  • The hotel has a trotting track where pedigreed horses trot past, a reminder of the royal family’s passion for breeding thoroughbred horses.
  • While in Bhopal, indulge in the city’s culinary heritage, famous for its meat dishes.

 

Rooms & Suites

The hotel has 100 rooms divided into five categories that include six suites. The Regal room is the base category room, while the spacious Imperial rooms come with a balcony that looks out to the swimming pool and the horse-riding track.  The Palace rooms are located in the heritage wing of the hotel feature large verandas and offer views of the central courtyard. The Suites located in the old wing of the hotel feature ethnic furnishings and exude royal charm and elegance.

Restaurants & Bars

The hotel spoils you for choice in its three classy restaurants. The recently renovated Shahnama, the hotel’s signature restaurant offers gourmet Nawabi cuisine featuring traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations from the Begums of Bhopal. La Kuchina is a stylish Italian restaurant with a Sicilian décor and an open kitchen that serves delectable Italian and Mediterranean fare. ‘Under the Mango Tree’, a specialty restaurant that sits under the gaze of a mango tree is as charming as its name and is famed for its kebabs and grills; it also serves select Continental and Chinese dishes. The hotel also has a coffee shop and two bars. The oriental bar, TAO (Tattenham Across the Orient) is Bhopal’s first Pan Asian Bar frequented by the city’s dwellers and tourists, while the Shergar bar is a colonial-styled bar perfect for quiet evenings.

Spa & Wellness

The Chakra Spa is a small spa and salon that offers an array of massages, body treatments, and skin therapies, all by appointment. The hotel’s fitness center overlooks the pool, guests can also choose to head to the sauna and steam rooms after their workout.

Experiences

While there are many things to do in Bhopal, there are plenty of interesting excursions around the city.  City sights include the beautiful lakes, Birla Museum, Tribal Museum Van Vihar Safari Park, and the beautiful mosques of the city.  Sanchi and Bhimbetka the famous UNESCO heritage sites are only an hour’s drive from the hotel.

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