The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts has secured the second position globally in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026 survey, reaffirming its standing among the world's elite luxury hospitality brands. The recognition, based on votes from Travel + Leisure readers worldwide, places The Leela just behind the top-ranked brand in a competitive field that includes names like Four Seasons, Aman, and Mandarin Oriental.
Property-Level Accolades
Two flagship properties also earned top marks. The Leela Palace Udaipur was named the second-best resort in India and earned a spot among the top 100 hotels globally. Meanwhile, The Leela Palace New Delhi ranked second among the best city hotels in India, competing directly with properties such as The Oberoi Amarvilas and Taj Lake Palace.
The survey evaluates hotels on rooms, facilities, location, service, dining, and overall value. The Leela's consistent performance across these criteria underscores its operational excellence and guest satisfaction.
Four Decades of Luxury
This year's ranking coincides with The Leela's 40th anniversary. The brand previously held the top global position in 2020 and 2021 and has remained in the top three since 2023. Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO of The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts, commented: "To be recognised among the world's finest hotel brands in the year that we celebrate forty years of The Leela makes this honour especially meaningful." He credited the achievement to the dedication of staff and the trust of guests and partners.
The Leela's portfolio includes nine properties across India, with recent expansions such as The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, which reopened as an immersive luxury retreat in the Western Ghats. The brand is also exploring opportunities in key international markets, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Growth Strategy and Industry Context
As The Leela enters its fifth decade, it plans to expand thoughtfully, invest in its people, and create luxury experiences that honor India's heritage. The brand's growth strategy includes selective new builds and conversions, with a focus on destinations that align with its positioning as a purveyor of Indian hospitality.
The recognition comes amid a broader resurgence in luxury travel demand, with hotel groups like Accor and Sun Group adding 5,300 keys across Vietnam, and Hyatt opening dual-branded properties in Shanghai's Zhongshan Park District. For travel professionals, The Leela's sustained performance offers a case study in brand consistency and guest loyalty in the ultra-luxury segment.
With a strong portfolio and a clear growth trajectory, The Leela is poised for sustainable value creation. The brand's ability to maintain top-tier rankings over multiple years signals to investors and partners that its operational model and guest experience standards are resilient, even as competition intensifies from both established global chains and emerging boutique operators.
