After making its mark in London as one of the UK’s most admired Indian dining destinations, Colonel Saab debuts at Noor Mahal Delhi NCR Karnal - Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott
BY SHUJATH ALI
Every great hospitality brand has a story. Some are shaped by places, others by people, and a rare few by journeys. Colonel Saab belongs to the latter. Long before it became one of London’s most celebrated Indian restaurant concepts, it was inspired by Colonel Manbeer Sandhu and Mrs Binny Choudhary, whose passion for India’s history, culture and hospitality inspired everything that followed.
Their travels across the country introduced them to royal palaces, bustling bazaars, forgotten culinary traditions, and extraordinary artisans whose craftsmanship reflected India’s timeless heritage. Every journey added another chapter to an ever-growing collection of memories.
Those journeys became the foundation of a restaurant crafted by Kunwar Roop Partap Choudhary as a “love letter” to his family and as a tribute to India.
Today, that journey comes full circle. After establishing itself as one of the UK’s most admired Indian dining destinations, Colonel Saab has chosen Noor Mahal Delhi NCR Karnal - Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott, for its India debut. More than the opening of a restaurant, it represents the reunion of two hospitality brands that have always celebrated India’s heritage through immersive, authentic, and deeply personal experiences.
ROOTS OF A VISION
Noor Mahal was conceived with passion and a clear vision – to be a palace unlike any other, inspired by India’s architecture, culture, and heritage. It was never intended to be just another hotel, but a destination defined by uniqueness and storytelling. Seeing this vision come to life deeply influenced Roop, who later reimagined the same philosophy in London through Colonel Saab. His restaurant carried forward the idea of hospitality as storytelling, blending cuisine, art, and atmosphere into an experience that celebrated India’s diversity.
Rather than creating another Indian fine-dining restaurant, he envisioned an experience where every detail would tell a story. The cuisine would celebrate India’s regional diversity, the interiors would resemble a living gallery of Indian art and antiques, and guests would leave with a deeper appreciation of the country beyond what appeared on their plates.
Launching such an ambitious venture during the uncertainty of the pandemic was bold, yet Colonel Saab quickly distinguished itself in London’s competitive dining scene. Its flagship in Holborn and second location at Trafalgar Square firmly established Colonel Saab among London’s leading Indian restaurants. Welcoming royalty, diplomats, business leaders, and global travellers, it became a benchmark for presenting Indian hospitality with sophistication and confidence.
As Roop reflects: “Colonel Saab was never conceived as just a restaurant. It was created as a celebration of India’s stories – its people, art, architecture, and culinary traditions. Every journey my parents undertook became part of its DNA. Bringing the brand to Noor Mahal feels like bringing that journey back to where it truly belongs.”
THE PALACE THAT INSPIRED A LEGACY
Beyond its philosophy, Noor Mahal stands as a physical testament to India’s grandeur. Conceived over three decades ago by Colonel Manbeer Sandhu and Mrs Binny Choudhary, the palace was envisioned as a destination where architecture, heritage, and hospitality would converge to create something truly distinctive in North India.
Inspired by Rajput and Mughal traditions, Noor Mahal’s intricately carved façades, marble corridors, frescoed ceilings, and expansive courtyards blend seamlessly with contemporary luxury. Over the years, it has earned a reputation as one of India’s most iconic heritage hotels, welcoming leisure travellers, destination weddings, corporate retreats, and international guests seeking authentic Indian hospitality.
Its recent transition into Marriott International’s Autograph Collection is not only marked another milestone in its journey but far more than a brand affiliation. Known globally for curating independent hotels that are defined by character rather than conformity, the Autograph Collection celebrates properties with compelling stories and distinctive identities – true to the brands vision of being “Exactly like nothing else”. Few hotels embody this philosophy as naturally as Noor Mahal.
Against this backdrop, the arrival of Colonel Saab feels less like an expansion and more like the next chapter in an ongoing family story.
“Noor Mahal has always stood for immersive hospitality rooted in Indian heritage. As the palace entered Marriott’s Autograph Collection, we felt the time was right to introduce Colonel Saab in India. Both brands believe that luxury is not just about grandeur – it is about creating memorable experiences through storytelling,” says Roop.
NOT A REPLICA, BUT AN EVOLUTION
Colonel Saab’s India debut resists the temptation to simply recreate its London success. While the brand’s philosophy remains unchanged, its culinary expression has evolved thoughtfully for its Indian audience.
The London restaurants introduced global diners to the richness and diversity of Indian cuisine. At Noor Mahal, however, the objective was different – not to replicate the London menu dish for dish, but to reinterpret the Colonel Saab experience for guests who already possess an intimate understanding of Indian food.
The result is a menu that retains the soul of Colonel Saab while embracing regional ingredients, seasonal produce, and the evolving preferences of contemporary Indian diners. Signature dishes such as Smoked Butter Chicken, Champaran Gosht, Bharwa Gucchi aur Matar, and Smoked Lahsooni Dal pay homage to India’s rich culinary heritage, while refined Western and Asian offerings acknowledge the cosmopolitan tastes of today’s luxury traveller. Even the bread selection reflects thoughtful innovation, featuring creations such as Rosemary Naan, Olive Butter Naan, and Za’atar Naan that complement traditional Indian flavours with contemporary flair.
As Roop explains: “Colonel Saab has always celebrated India’s extraordinary culinary and cultural heritage. That philosophy does not change whether we are in London or India. What changes is how we interpret it for our guests. The India menu is not a replica of London, nor was it meant to be. We have retained the soul of the brand while thoughtfully adapting the culinary experience to reflect local preferences, seasonal produce, and the expectations of Indian diners.”
EXPERIENCES BEYOND THE PLATE
For Colonel Saab, food has always been only one chapter of the guest experience. The restaurant’s interiors continue the narrative through carefully curated artwork, antiques, and design elements inspired by India’s cultural legacy. Every artefact has been chosen to evoke curiosity. Every space encourages conversation. Guests are invited to explore as much as they are invited to dine.
Within Noor Mahal, this philosophy takes on even greater significance. The grandeur of the palace naturally extends the Colonel Saab narrative. Majestic architecture, intricate craftsmanship, and regal interiors create an environment where the restaurant feels inseparable from its surroundings.
A STRATEGIC HOMECOMING
For Noor Mahal, the introduction of Colonel Saab is more than a culinary addition – it is a strategic enhancement of the property’s positioning within India’s luxury hospitality landscape. Across the world, luxury hotels are increasingly being defined by destination dining. Restaurants have become powerful brand ambassadors, attracting local patrons as much as resident guests and creating reasons to visit beyond accommodation.
Colonel Saab strengthens Noor Mahal’s ability to offer a complete experiential journey where architecture, heritage, gastronomy, and personalised hospitality converge. In many ways, it represents an extension of Autograph Collection’s philosophy of individuality – an independent restaurant concept shaped not by trends but by authenticity, craftsmanship, and storytelling.
“Hospitality today is measured by the experiences we create and the memories our guests take home. Colonel Saab adds a new dimension to Noor Mahal by bringing together exceptional cuisine, heritage, and storytelling under one roof. It strengthens our vision of offering immersive luxury experiences that reflect the character of the destination while meeting the expectations of the global traveller. We believe this addition of Colonel Saab will become one of the defining experiences of
Noor Mahal” says Mahesh Singh Jasrotia, General Manager, Noor Mahal Delhi NCR Karnal, Autograph Collection Hotels by Marriott International.
HONOURING HERITAGE, EMBRACING THE FUTURE
Successful luxury hospitality brands today preserve heritage while remaining relevant to contemporary travellers. Guests no longer seek opulence for its own sake; they seek authenticity, purpose, and experiences that leave a lasting emotional imprint.
Colonel Saab’s arrival at Noor Mahal reflects this evolution. Beyond its culinary offerings, the restaurant celebrates Indian craftsmanship through curated interiors, honours regional culinary traditions through its evolving menu, and reinforces the belief that hospitality is about creating connections.
For Noor Mahal, this philosophy aligns seamlessly with its own journey. Since becoming part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, the palace has strengthened its identity as a destination where heritage is experienced rather than merely admired. The addition of Colonel Saab enriches that proposition, offering guests yet another reason to choose the palace not simply as a place to stay, but as a destination to discover.
There is a quiet symmetry to Colonel Saab’s India debut. A family’s journeys across India inspired the creation of Noor Mahal. Those same journeys later inspired a restaurant in London that introduced global audiences to the richness of Indian culture. Today, the two narratives come together under one roof, completing a circle.
This is not simply the opening of a new restaurant, nor is it merely the expansion of a successful international brand. It is the convergence of legacy, entrepreneurship, and vision – a reminder that the most enduring hospitality concepts are those that remain rooted in purpose while evolving with time.
As Roop reflects: “Colonel Saab was always envisioned as a brand that could travel across borders while staying true to its Indian soul. After establishing ourselves in London, we felt the moment was right to bring the concept home to India. Noor Mahal, with its heritage and individuality, provides the perfect setting for this launch. It is not about nostalgia – it is about timing, opportunity, and continuing our journey of celebrating India’s culture through hospitality.”
Contact details & enquiries
Covers: 120
Timing: 0700 hours to 2300 hours
Reservations, private dining, or event enquiries:
guests are invited to contact the team at Noor Mahal directly. Colonel Saab at Noor Mahal is designed
to welcome both resident guests and local patrons,
offering an immersive dining experience that blends heritage with contemporary flair
Address: Colonel Saab, Noor Mahal Delhi NCR
Karnal – Autograph Collection Hotel by Marriott,
Sector 32, NH 44, Karnal, Haryana – 132001
Contact number: 91-184-7133333 or +91 9254612024
