The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is closing the year with one of its strongest
runs of international recognition, earning top honours across global hospitality
platforms while holding firmly to its Indian cultural roots. At a time when global
tastemakers are looking eastward for authenticity and new benchmarks in luxury, The
Leela has positioned itself as a brand that delivers world-class excellence without
diluting its Indian identity.
Over the past year, the group’s properties have received a remarkable sweep of
awards. The Leela Palace Udaipur was named Best Indian Urban Escape by Robb
Report’s Best of the Best 2026. At the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards,
The Leela Raviz Kovalam was recognised as India’s Best Resort, with Udaipur,
Jaipur, and Chennai securing honourable mentions.
The Michelin Key programme also acknowledged the brand’s growing influence,
awarding two keys each to The Leela Palace New Delhi and The Leela Palace Jaipur,
and one key to The Leela Palace Chennai. In culinary and bar culture, the brand
continued to gain ground, with ZLB23 at The Leela Palace Bengaluru entering Asia’s
50 Best Bars list, and The Library Bar in New Delhi earning a spot among India’s 30
Best Bars. Megu and Le Cirque at The Leela Palace New Delhi were listed in Condé
Nast Traveller’s Top 50 Restaurants.
The latest addition to these recognitions came at the 2025 ULTRAs Awards in Dubai,
where The Leela Palace Udaipur was voted the Best Sustainable Hotel, chosen by
over 32 million members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme.
According to Anjali Mehra, Executive Vice President – Brand and Communication,
the awards reaffirm The Leela’s core philosophy. “Travellers today are not only
looking for beautiful spaces and attentive service. They want a hospitality experience
with a point of view — one that is rooted, refined, and coherent from the moment they
arrive to the moment they leave,” she said.
Mehra added that as global attention shifts toward India’s cultural influence and
economic ascent, the country needs ambassadors who can express this excellence on
the world stage. “This is Indian hospitality’s moment,” she said. “We aim to deepen
The Leela’s position as a premier global luxury brand while staying true to our
heritage.”
With sustained international recognition and a clear design-driven identity, The Leela
appears well-placed to shape the next chapter of India’s luxury hospitality narrative.
