- Leela enters nature and wellness hospitality with Coorg resort.
- Leela portfolio grows to 15 hotels and 4,160+ keys.
- The 71-villa property near Bengaluru and Mangaluru opens this year.
THE LEELA PALACES, Hotels and Resorts acquired a resort in Karnataka, India, marking its entry into nature and wellness-focused hospitality. The 71-villa property in Coorg near Madikeri spans 76 acres amid coffee and spice plantations and will open later this year as The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary.
It introduces The Leela’s first “Sanctuary” concept and coincides with the brand’s 40th anniversary, expanding its presence in South India’s leisure destinations, Leela said in a statement. The property in the Western Ghats is near Bengaluru and Mangaluru. Coorg attracts visitors for its coffee estates, landscapes, cultural heritage and environment.
“As we celebrate 40 years of The Leela, this acquisition represents both a milestone and an evolution of the brand into nature-immersive, wellness-focused hospitality,” said Anuraag Bhatnagar, The Leela’s CEO. “We invest in destinations with cultural and ecological value and Coorg strengthens our presence in South India while advancing our strategy of building a balanced portfolio across India’s most iconic landscapes. The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary offers a rare synthesis of wilderness, wellness and the warmth of true Indian luxury for travelers who seek space, stillness and a genuine connection to nature.”
The IGBC Platinum-certified resort is designed to integrate with its surroundings, combining architecture with local craftsmanship. The property includes land for future expansion, with the first phase adding 19 villas to reach 90 keys. The resort will have four dining venues with global and regional cuisines and coffee experiences. A 27,000 square feet wellness center will include Ayurvedic treatments, modern recovery practices and Aujasya by The Leela, the brand’s wellness program.
A seven-acre lake will be the property’s central feature and a private helipad will provide access. The resort will include a four-bedroom presidential villa with a pool and wellness facilities.
With this addition, The Leela portfolio has 15 properties with over 4,160 keys across 13 cities. The brand has nine hotels in the pipeline and aims for 24 properties in the next three years, including Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Mumbai, Ranthambore, Sikkim, Srinagar and Jaisalmer.
Leela incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary to own, operate, manage and develop hotels and resorts under “The Leela” brand. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued the Certificate of Incorporation for Leela Imperial Suites Private Ltd on Jan. 5.
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts was founded in 1986 by Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair with the launch of The Leela Mumbai, according to its website. Toronto-based Brookfield Corp., principal sponsor of Bengaluru-based Schloss Bangalore, acquired Leela in 2019. The company went public in May.
