- The Leela completed four decades of operations.
- It was founded in 1986 by Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair in Mumbai.
- This year it added The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary in Karnataka.
THE LEELA PALACES, Hotels and Resorts completed four decades of operations in 2026, guided by the Indian philosophy of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning “The Guest is God.” The company is marking the anniversary with further expansion, townhall meetings and cultural initiatives.
The company was founded in 1986 by Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair with The Leela Mumbai. Brookfield acquired The Leela hotel assets in 2019, now held under Bengaluru-based Schloss Bangalore. The company went public in May 2025 and is led by CEO Anuraag Bhatnagar.
Since its first hotel opening, the brand has created experiences beyond hospitality, where every stay reflects India’s culture through art, architecture, cuisine and service, Leela said in a statement. It has grown into a portfolio of palaces, hotels and resorts reflecting India’s heritage for the modern global traveler.
This year marks an expansion phase with the upcoming launch of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary in Karnataka, followed by The Leela Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and The Leela Luxury Residences in Mumbai.
“As we celebrate 40 years of The Leela, we honour a journey defined by passion, purpose and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Bhatnagar. “From our beginnings in Mumbai to a growing portfolio of destinations, our endeavour has been to showcase India’s cultural heritage through refined luxury. As we look ahead, we remain focused on expansion, elevating guest experiences and setting new benchmarks for Indian luxury globally.”
The upcoming properties will carry forward The Leela’s approach, combining local storytelling with global standards. They will cater to evolving traveler expectations, including sustainability and wellness-led experiences. Each property will reflect its region while maintaining a consistent ethos.
Key pillars
A key pillar of The Leela’s strategy is wellness and education, the company said. Through Aujasya by The Leela, it is expanding wellness offerings to include programs, therapies and retreats focused on balance and rejuvenation.
In parallel, the launch of The Leela Centre of Excellence signals a focus on developing future hospitality talent. The initiative aims to create learning pathways for aspiring professionals, ensuring the brand’s service philosophy evolves with the next generation. The year-long celebrations will culminate in a charity gala in November, aligning the milestone with a broader purpose-driven approach.
The anniversary celebrations began with a simultaneous town hall across all properties, highlighting the company’s focus on its workforce. Employees were recognized with a pinning ceremony and long-service awards, reflecting the brand’s view that hospitality is driven by people.
The Leela also is curating a year-long series of cultural initiatives. These include a musical collaboration with Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash, as well as menus reflecting the brand’s culinary evolution over four decades.
New concepts are also being introduced across properties. These include Arq by The Leela, an extension of its private membership model, and The Azulian House in Bengaluru, which combines gastronomy with storytelling in a dining format. Together, these initiatives reflect an effort to position the brand not just as a hospitality provider, but as a cultural curator.
In January, Leela incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary to own, operate, manage and develop luxury hotels and resorts under the “The Leela” brand. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued the Certificate of Incorporation for Leela Imperial Suites Private Ltd on Jan. 5.
