Marking four decades since its 1986 debut in Mumbai, The Leela has grown into India’s largest pure-play luxury hospitality brand, with 24 properties spanning palaces, city hotels and retreats. Rooted in Atithi Devo Bhava, it pairs award-winning dining and wellness concepts like Aujasya with strong sustainability and social initiatives, proving Indian luxury can stand confidently on the global stage.
In 1986, Captain C.P. Krishnan Nair set out to establish a luxury hospitality brand that stood shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest. That vision, inspired by the grace of his wife Leela, led to the opening of The Leela Mumbai. Today, the brand has evolved into one of the world’s most celebrated luxury hotel groups and India’s largest pure-play luxury hospitality company.
The Leela now spans 24 operational and pipeline properties across India and internationally, encompassing palaces, city hotels and immersive retreats, together offering approximately 5,200 keys. Think locations that span the grandeur of Rajasthan’s palaces and the intricate artistry of Jaipur to the serene backwaters of Kerala and the contemporary spirit of Bengaluru. Initiatives such as The Leela Palace Trail offers multi-day itineraries across eight properties, inviting guests to discover the country’s rich cultural tapestry through a distinctly Leela lens.
The underlying philosophy is to celebrate India with authenticity and grace, rooted in the belief of Atithi Devo Bhava. This belief is evident in the brand’s global accolades. The Leela is consistently recognised among the World’s Best Hotel Brands, with an industry-leading Net Promoter Score of 86, a metric used to measure guest loyalty across various factors.
Over the years, the hospitality brand has also produced some of India’s most iconic restaurants. Megu has long been celebrated for its Japanese offerings, ZLB23 and The Library Bar for pioneering India’s cocktail culture, Jamavar for elevating Indian fine dining, and Le Cirque for its global cuisine. Over the years, these establishments have earned a spot on the World’s 50 Best Discovery list, Asia’s 50 Best, and numerous other industry accolades.
Wellness may be an ancient practice in India, but The Leela has spent four decades reinterpreting this wisdom for the contemporary traveller, fusing tradition with modern lifestyle demands. In 2022, the brand introduced Aujasya by The Leela. It brings together nourishment, movement and mindful ritual, resting on three pillars: Shakti (energy), Shanti (inner peace) and Soumya (inner beauty). This year marks the introduction of Aujasya Sampoorna, a curated wellness dining programme, the Aujasya Signature Ritual, an immersive spa experience, and Aujasya Retreats.
The hotel group’s sustainability initiatives are just as important. At The Leela Palace Udaipur, for example, electric boats now service Lake Pichola, reducing diesel emissions. Water conservation systems across properties address a resource increasingly stressed by climate shifts. Single-use plastic has been systematically removed. The Leela has partnered with Phool, a social enterprise, to create incense products out of floral waste. An association with the Sathyarthi Foundation for Global Compassion signals investment in child protection and community education.
As The Leela enters its fifth decade, this milestone year brings meaningful activations across music and culture, culinary experiences, wellness, art and craftsmanship. This year also marks the introduction of a new generation of evolved dining concepts across the portfolio, from The Azulian House at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, to The Amber Terrace (a curated root to-fruit culinary experience) and The Peacock Lounge (inspired by Mediterranean cuisine) at The Leela Palace Jaipur. Four decades on, the philosophy Captain Nair set in motion has only sharpened: that Indian luxury needs no borrowed grammar to hold its own on the world stage.