This palace, which was built by the Nizam rulers of British Colonial Hyderabad, is very beautiful. The inside has been authentically renovated to reflect the mixed cultures. There are lovely gardens, and the outside of the building is well worth a visit. It is now a luxurious hotel and period piece.
The first hour was spent on a tour of the original interiors. The guide (Fatima) was very knowledgeable, and the information was interesting. It was a bit overwhelming, as she talked super-fast, poured facts in a torrent, and sort of pushed us from room to room. She kept stressing that we have to keep to a schedule. A more leisurely pace would have suited me better.
The high tea is wonderful. The tearoom is lovely, a pianist plays well-known pieces, and the food was divine and generously served with grace. You can have as many refills as you like.
At $96, this is not a cheap option, but I felt that I got my money's worth.
It's a 2.5-hour experience, not 4 hours, as stated in the description. This is important if your driver has to know when to pick you up....