The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts announced a marquee acquisition of an ultra-luxury resort in Coorg, marking the brand’s entry into immersive, nature-led and wellness anchored hospitality. The 71 all-villa property, set within 76 acres of lush landscape near Madikeri and surrounded by coffee and spice plantations, will be unveiled as The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary later this year.
Leadership Perspective
Speaking on the occasion, Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said: “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. 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 warmth of true Indian luxury for travellers who seek space, stillness and a genuine connection to nature.”
Design and Expansion Vision
The IGBC Platinum-certified resort has been designed in harmony with its natural setting, with architecture that blends contemporary form with local craftsmanship and the textures of its surroundings. The property benefits from significant land reserves that support thoughtful densification, with a first phase adding 19 keys to bring total inventory to 90 villas.
Wellness, Dining and Experiences
The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary includes four dining venues offering global and regional cuisines, along with bean-to-cup coffee experiences linked to the region’s plantation heritage. The property houses a 27,000 sq. ft. wellness centre that combines Ayurveda, modern recovery practices and Aujasya by The Leela. A 7-acre lake sits at the centre of the site, and a private helipad provides direct access. The resort also features a four-bedroom presidential villa with a private pool and integrated wellness facilities.
Future Pipeline
With the addition of Coorg, The Leela portfolio now comprises 15 properties with over 4,160 keys across 13 cities globally, including 7 owned, 7 managed and 1 franchised hotel. With 9 hotels in the pipeline, the brand remains on track to expand to 24 properties over the next three years in high growth markets including Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Mumbai, Ranthambore, Sikkim, Srinagar and Jaisalmer.
