India Gets Its First Autograph Collection Hotel in Karnal
A 176-room collectors' palace on the Grand Trunk Road becomes India's first Autograph Collection hotel, and Marriott's most compelling argument yet for offbeat luxury.
By Deepali Nandwani
Marriott International has debuted its Autograph Collection in India with Noormahal, a 176-room palatial property in Karnal, Haryana, bringing its 19th Marriott Bonvoy brand to the country and signalling a deliberate pivot toward India's culturally rich, offbeat destinations.
Situated along the historic Grand Trunk Road, roughly two hours from both Delhi and Chandigarh, Noormahal was always an unlikely luxury address, and that, it turns out, is precisely the point. The Autograph Collection hand-picks properties for their individuality and sense of place, qualities that Noormahal has in abundance. Envisioned by Colonel Manbeer Singh Choudhary and Mrs Binny Choudhary, descendants of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the hotel was built in 2009 drawing on Mughal, Rajput, Punjabi, and Persian architectural traditions. Its sweeping domes, intricate jali work, and ornamental arches are not decorative gestures. They are the building's DNA.
Inside, the hotel houses one of northern India's most extensive collections of art and artefacts, functioning as a living museum as much as a luxury stay. Guestrooms and suites incorporate rich textiles, bespoke furnishings, and layered artisanal finishes.
At the top of the house, two regal penthouses—Raja Niwas and Khwabgah—offer private terraces, dedicated butler service, and a reimagining of royal living for the contemporary traveller. Four dining venues reflect the region's culinary depth: The Frontier Mail draws on North-Western frontier cuisine, Colonel Saab offers all-day Indian and global dishes, The Polo Bar is a cocktail-focused space steeped in aristocratic atmosphere, and The Cake Factory rounds out the offering with specialty desserts. Wellness and recreation amenities include a spa, outdoor pool, gymnasium, tennis, pickleball, ziplining, and rock climbing, a roster that positions Noormahal as a destination in its own right, not merely a stopover.
For weddings and large-scale celebrations, the property brings over 300,000sq.ft of event space across 18 venues, from the grand lawns of Rani ka Bagh and Raja ka Bagh to the intimate grandeur of Sheesh Mahal and Darbar Hall.
The choice of Karnal over a tier-one city is a statement of intent. As Indian travellers increasingly seek stays that are design-led, culturally rooted, and distinct from the familiar luxury template, the Autograph Collection's Indian debut makes a compelling case for the road less travelled, literally.
