The Leela Palace

The Leela Palace

Founded in 1986 by Captain C.P. Krishnan Nair and named after his wife, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts was established to bring world-class luxury Indian hospitality to the forefront, inspired by the ethos "Atithi Devo Bhava" (Guest is God). The brand began with a 4-acre property in Mumbai in 1987 and grew into a premier luxury chain with iconic "Palace" properties in key Indian cities. 

Key Historical Milestones

• 1986–1987: Captain C.P. Krishnan Nair, a retired Army officer, established the group and opened the first property, The Leela Mumbai, in 1987.
• Expansion (1990s–2000s): The brand expanded to key locations including Goa (1991), Bangalore (2001), and Kovalam (2005).
• Iconic Palace Properties: The Leela Palace Udaipur opened in 2009, offering a stunning lakeside experience, followed by the flagship, The Leela Palace New Delhi, in 2011.
• Modern Expansion: The group opened The Leela Palace Chennai (2013), and subsequently added properties in Jaipur and Gandhinagar in 2021.
• Corporate Shift: In 2019, to manage debt, the Nair family sold most of its hotel assets to Canada-based

  Brookfield Asset Management , though the brand continues to manage and operate the properties.

Key Characteristics

• Design & Architecture: The palaces are renowned for their architectural grandeur, often blending local cultural influences, such as Lutyens-inspired design in New Delhi or traditional Rajasthani design in Udaipur.
• Art and Culture: The Leela properties are known for integrating curated Indian art and textiles into their interior design.
• Awards: The Leela has been consistently ranked among the top hospitality brands in the world, including #1 among the world's best hospitality brands in 2020 and 2021 by Travel + Leisure
  
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Today, The Leela continues to grow under Brookfield, focusing on expanding its luxury portfolio, including new developments in areas like Agra and Hyderabad.