Marriott sets sights on another 'Paris of India' for new 5-star hotel

Spanning 3.3 million square kilometers and countless geographical areas, India is referred to as a subcontinent for a reason.

The countless cultures and cities within its borders mean you can spend a lifetime traveling through India and still feel you haven’t made a dent in all the country has to offer the senses.

Located approximately 100 kilometers from Delhi in the Haryana state, the northern city of Karnal is often called “The Paris of Haryana” due to the mix of historical charm and diverse architectural styles found across the city.

As the name “Paris of India” has traditionally been assigned to the Rajasthan capital of Jaipur, comparisons with the French city are often used to draw attention to Indian cities often unknown to, or underappreciated by, Western tourists.

Noormahal Palace Hotel banks on growing interest in India, luxury travel

This month, Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotels cut the ceremonial ribbon on its first property in the city with the opening of the five-star Noormahal Palace Hotel.

The new 176-room property, built in 2009 in the style of traditional Indian royal palaces, has now been transitioned to a Marriott brand as part of the hotel behemoth’s plans to expand deeper into regional Indian cities.

The Noormahal Palace is the 19th Marriott Bonvoy property in India and 235th Marriott hotel in South Asia.

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The property includes a 20,000-square-foot grand hall and countless domes, arches, and courtyards in a combination of Mughal, Rajputana, Punjabi, and Persian architectural styles that appeared in India throughout the centuries.

The palace also sits directly on Grand Trunk Hotel, a major trading thoroughfare built more than 2,000 years ago and stretching approximately 2,500 kilometers or 1,600 miles through India to Afghanistan.

“Noormahal is a heartfelt tribute to India’s past era, brought to life with a deep sense of pride, detail, and authenticity,” Colonel Manbeer Sandhu of the Noormahal Group said of the opening.

“Every element of this incredible Indian palace hotel reflects this commitment to preserving heritage while creating a space that feels relevant and welcoming for modern guests.”

Planning an India trip? You might want to put Karnal in Haryana on your radar

Marriott chose the Karnal location in response to both the growing luxury tourism market within India and returning international travelers seeking to experience new locations.

Within easy train and driving distance from Delhi, Karnal is increasingly being promoted as a more serene starting point for an India trip, as well as a wedding destination on the city’s Karna Lake.

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According to statistics published by the country’s Ministry of Tourism and cited by Travel Trade Journal, the 20.57 million international tourists who came to India in 2025 represent nearly a 15% increase over the last five years.

The luxury travel market, meanwhile, is projected to grow from $75.4 billion USD in 2025 to $106.5 billion by 2034, according to IMARC Group, as high-spending travelers increase spending on luxury hotels and premium experiences in the country.

The tourism numbers further show that the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Brazil have the largest number of travelers to India.

(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a trip.)

Please make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.

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