#India #Luxury Resort #Rajasthan #The Leela #Jaisalmer

The Leela Palaces Expands Luxury Offerings in Rajasthan

The prestigious Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, renowned as India's only luxury pure-play hotel brand, is ushering in a new chapter in its illustrious journey with the announcement of its upcoming property, The Leela Jaisalmer. This extraordinary desert resort and spa, set to grace Rajasthan's majestic landscape, signifies the brand's commitment to enhancing its luxury hospitality footprint across the country.

A New Era in Rajasthan’s Luxury Hospitality

With the signing of a management agreement with The Godwin Group, The Leela Jaisalmer will be strategically nestled amid the enchanting Thar Desert, near the famed UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jaisalmer Fort. Sprawling over 30 acres of exquisite desert scenery, this luxurious resort features 80 elegantly designed rooms and lavish tented villas, and is poised to provide an unparalleled sense of luxury and tranquility.

Scheduled to open its doors in 2026, The Leela Jaisalmer will include an expansive spa and wellness center, a state-of-the-art salon, a kids' club, a stunning swimming pool, diverse dining options, and a grand, pillarless ballroom. This location is specifically designed to accommodate destination weddings, significant celebrations, and curated experiential gatherings, making it a sought-after venue for both leisure and cultural tourism enthusiasts.

Connecting Luxury and Heritage

The development of The Leela Jaisalmer is a significant milestone in The Leela's strategic expansion plan. It not only enhances the brand's presence in Rajasthan's high-demand leisure circuit but also creates unique itineraries in synergy with other Leela properties, including The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace Jaipur. Such interconnected experiences elevate the luxury travel offerings throughout India’s premier tourism state.

Mr. Anuraag Bhatnagar, the CEO of Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, expressed his excitement about this new venture, stating, "We are delighted to announce our entrance into Jaisalmer with our first Desert Resort and Spa. Rajasthan continues to hold immense potential for luxury travel, with Jaisalmer emerging as a preferred destination for global travellers. This signing strategically expands our footprint in one of India's most evocative landscapes, staying true to our vision of curating distinctive properties that celebrate the essence of India.”

A Joint Commitment to Luxury

In a discussion of the collaborative effort, Mr. Chiranjeev Singh Bajwa, Director of Godwin Palace Hotels Pvt Ltd, shared his enthusiasm: “We are excited to partner with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts to bring their distinguished legacy of luxury hospitality to Jaisalmer. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to showcasing India's rich heritage through experiences that blend world-class standards with a deep sense of place.” Mr. Tanveer Singh Bajwa, also a Director at Godwin Palace Hotels, added, “Jaisalmer has long enchanted travellers with its golden landscapes and living history. Together with The Leela, we look forward to creating a desert sanctuary that captures the Golden City's timeless allure and reimagines luxury for today's traveller.”

Future Prospects and Expansions

In the coming months, The Leela team will begin implementing signature touchpoints and brand programming at the property, leading to the official launch of The Leela Jaisalmer in 2026. This venture is set to redefine the luxury desert tourism experience in India with its evocative architecture, thoughtfully designed interiors, and curated programming that reflects the desert's timeless beauty and Rajasthan’s regal heritage.

Currently operating 13 properties with 3,544 keys across 11 cities in India, The Leela is on track to expand to a total of 23 properties with over 5,000 keys in the coming three years. New projects are in the pipeline for high-growth markets, including Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Mumbai, Ranthambore, Sikkim, Srinagar, Dubai, and, of course, Jaisalmer.

About The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts stands as India's largest institutionally owned luxury hospitality brand, managed by The Brookfield Group. Renowned for architectural excellence and bespoke services, The Leela has garnered recognition globally, being ranked the #1 hospitality brand by Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards in 2020 and 2021, and maintaining a top-three position in 2023 and 2024. Committed to delivering timeless Indian hospitality through world-class luxury experiences, The Leela is primed to continue shaping the future of luxury travel in India.