About Us

History

The story of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts began in 1986, when its founder, the late Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair, opened The Leela Mumbai with a vision to bring the finest expressions of Indian luxury hospitality to the world. In 2026, The Leela celebrates Four Decades of True Indian Luxury, marking four decades of creating exceptional experiences in captivating settings, brought to life through the warmth and graciousness of Indian hospitality.

Headquartered in Mumbai, The Leela is owned by a private real estate fund sponsored by Brookfield Asset Management. Today, its portfolio comprises 5,257 keys across 25 operational and pipeline hotels in India and Dubai, spanning iconic palaces, landmark city hotels and immersive resorts in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Gurugram, East Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Kovalam, Ashtamudi, Hyderabad, Coorg and Dubai. The pipeline includes Mumbai BKC, Jaisalmer, Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, Tadoba, Sikkim and Srinagar.

At the heart of every Leela is a distinctive expression of True Indian Luxury, shaped by its location and brought to life through art, culture, cuisine, thoughtful service, celebratory rituals and immersive experiences. Rooted in the timeless Indian belief of Atithi Devo Bhava, meaning “Guest is God”, our approach to hospitality reflects a deep respect for the guest and the enduring traditions of India. Each property offers a sense of place that is uniquely its own, while remaining rooted in the gracious spirit of Indian hospitality.

As the brand marks four decades, this distinctive approach continues to earn recognition on the world stage. The Leela was ranked No. 2 Best Hotel Brand in the World in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026, following its recognition as the World’s Best Hotel Brand in 2020 and 2021, and No. 3 in 2023 and 2024.

The Leela is Great Place To Work® Certified™, reflecting an associate-centric culture grounded in trust, purpose and The Leela Dharma. The brand is committed to creating an environment where associates feel respected, empowered and inspired to do their best.

The Leela has a marketing alliance with US-based Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance.

The Leela Brand Journey

Some journeys can be summed up in a photo, a tweet, a souvenir. But others are so filled with inner riches, they defy easy description. For our guests, this has always posed a challenge: How to best capture the world of luxury that is The Leela? For one visitor, it’s a lobby – and a welcome that makes her feel like royalty. For another, it’s discovering a hidden garden, guided only by the scent of jasmine. To some, it is small touches that few others notice – the warmth of a gesture, the extra care in the simplest dish.
 
From the start, we have been on a continuous journey to delight each traveller who crosses our threshold. It is The Leela’s goal to provide the most demanding guests with memorable, magical stays that deliver the essence of India and allow them to discover a true Indian luxury experience found only in India, and only at The Leela.

Close to four decades, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has grown to comprise a world-class collection of thirteen award-winning luxury hotels spread across key destinations in India with many more on the anvil. These include the flagship hotel in the capital city of New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Gurugram, East Delhi, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Kovalam and Ashtamudi in Kerala and Hyderabad. 

Each hotel celebrates its unique location, art, culture and cuisine with thoughtful services, celebratory rituals and immersive experiences to curate distinctive experiences that captivate the hearts of the most discerning global travellers.

Loyalty & Rewards

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA)

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA)

The Leela is a member of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, bringing together 60 brands and 1,000 hotels across 100 countries.

Through Leela DISCOVERY, 38 million members enjoy recognition, D$ rewards and exclusive experiences across participating hotels and partners, both with and without a stay. The programme offers members more ways to discover destinations, enjoy rewarding stays and experience the world through a global collection of independent hotel brands. 

For more information, visit https://www.ghadiscovery.com/our-programme.

Alliances

Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest independent hotel brand, representing more than 750 distinctive hotels, resorts, residences, and unique hotel groups across 85 countries. With nearly 40 offices worldwide, the company brings strategic advantage to hotel owners, operators, and management companies through brand prestige and global operating scale, supporting the goals of its member hotels by providing strategic group, corporate, and leisure sales, integrated marketing solutions, comprehensive revenue management, global connectivity through reservation services, progressive distribution technology, and individualized guest support. Every property within the portfolio is required to maintain the high quality standards and unparalleled service levels required by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Integrated Quality Assurance Program. 
 
Through its five global collections – Legend, LVX, Lifestyle, Connect, and Preferred Residences – Preferred Hotels & Resorts connects discerning travellers to the singular luxury hospitality experience that meets their needs and lifestyle preferences for each occasion. For more information visit preferredhotels.com. For more information visit preferredhotels.com.

Future Openings

The Leela Palace Agra

The Leela Palace Agra

The Leela Palace Agra will bring the grandeur of Indian hospitality to the city of the Taj Mahal. Located approximately 200 kilometres from New Delhi and within easy reach of Agra Airport, the palace will feature 99 rooms and suites. An array of multi-cuisine and speciality restaurants, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, and meeting and conferencing facilities will complement the stay.

The Leela Sikkim

The Leela Sikkim

Set across 17 acres overlooking the Gangtok hills, The Leela Sikkim will feature 140 rooms and suites. Located approximately 10 kilometres from Gangtok, the hotel will offer a serene mountain retreat, with thoughtfully curated wellness, leisure and cultural experiences inspired by the natural beauty and traditions of Sikkim.

The Leela Palace Srinagar

The Leela Palace Srinagar

Set amidst the beauty of the Kashmir Valley, The Leela Palace Srinagar will feature 170 rooms and suites in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Framed by tranquil lakes, verdant gardens and the city’s celebrated houseboats, the hotel will offer an elegant setting from which to experience Kashmir’s distinctive landscape and heritage.

The Leela Luxury Residences, Mumbai

The Leela Luxury Residences, Mumbai

The Leela Luxury Residences, Mumbai will feature 63 residences, bringing the quiet refinement of The Leela to an exceptional residential setting. Combining contemporary design with privacy and personalised service, the residences will offer a considered approach to luxury living in Mumbai.

The Leela Ranthambore

The Leela Ranthambore

Set amidst the wilderness of Rajasthan, The Leela Ranthambore will feature 76 rooms and suites, creating an intimate retreat immersed in nature. Wildlife encounters and guided explorations will invite guests to discover the region’s rich biodiversity, complemented by thoughtfully curated leisure and wellness experiences.

The Leela Jaisalmer

The Leela Jaisalmer

Set amidst the golden sands of the Thar Desert, near the magnificent Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Leela Jaisalmer will feature 80 rooms and suites. The resort will bring together the rich heritage of Rajasthan and the distinctive character of the desert, with convenient connectivity from Jaisalmer Airport and Jodhpur.

 

 

The Leela Dubai

The Leela Dubai

Set across 23 acres of beachfront on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, The Leela Dubai will mark the brand’s first international venture. The resort will feature 546 keys, including a 361-key hotel, 182 private residences and three exclusive villas. The warmth of Indian hospitality will meet the distinctive energy of Dubai, introducing The Leela to an international setting.

The Leela Palace Mumbai

The Leela Palace Mumbai

Set in the heart of Bandra Kurla Complex, The Leela Palace Mumbai will feature 250 rooms and suites, bringing a sense of calm and refinement to one of Mumbai’s most dynamic districts. Thoughtfully designed accommodation, exceptional dining and intuitive service will create a sophisticated urban retreat, with the city’s financial, cultural and retail destinations close at hand.

 

The Leela Ayodhya

The Leela Ayodhya

Set across five acres on the banks of the Sarayu River, moments from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, The Leela Ayodhya will feature 100 rooms and suites. Rooted in the spiritual heritage of the city, the hotel will offer thoughtfully curated experiences, from sunrise rituals and sacred explorations to encounters with Ayodhya’s living traditions.

The Leela Bandhavgarh

The Leela Bandhavgarh

Set within a 42-acre forested estate, The Leela Bandhavgarh will feature 30 rooms and suites, offering an intimate retreat in the wilderness of Madhya Pradesh. Guided safaris, encounters with tigers, leopards and more than 260 species of birds, and nature-led wellness experiences will bring guests closer to the forest and its rhythms.