DUBAI— The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has been ranked the world’s second-best hotel brand in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2026, reinforcing its reputation as India’s leading luxury hospitality brand on the global stage.
The annual awards, determined by votes from Travel + Leisure readers worldwide, recognize excellence across the hospitality industry based on service, accommodations, dining, location and overall guest experience.
Adding to the brand’s success, The Leela Palace Udaipur was named the No. 2 Resort in India and earned a place among the Top 100 Hotels in the World, while The Leela Palace New Delhi secured the No. 2 spot among India’s Best City Hotels.
The recognition comes as The Leela celebrates 40 years of operations. The luxury hotel group has consistently featured among the world’s top hospitality brands, having previously been ranked the world’s best hotel brand in 2020 and 2021 and third globally in 2023 and 2024.
The company said the latest recognition reflects four decades of delivering luxury hospitality rooted in the Indian philosophy of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” or “Guest is God,” while combining traditional Indian warmth with contemporary luxury experiences.
The Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards are considered one of the travel industry’s most influential rankings, with readers evaluating hotels on room quality, facilities, service, food and beverage offerings, location and value.
Across its portfolio of palaces, hotels and resorts, The Leela has focused on showcasing India’s cultural heritage, craftsmanship and traditions while appealing to international luxury travelers. The company said its guest satisfaction is reflected in a Net Promoter Score of 86, a widely used measure of customer loyalty and advocacy.
Chief Executive Officer Anuraag Bhatnagar said the recognition is particularly significant as the company marks its 40th anniversary.
“To be recognized among the world’s finest hotel brands in the year that we celebrate forty years of The Leela makes this honor especially meaningful,” Bhatnagar said. “It is a powerful affirmation of the vision on which The Leela was founded, that a luxury hospitality brand rooted in Indian values could proudly represent the very best of India among the world’s leading hospitality brands.”
He credited the achievement to the company’s employees, guests, owners and partners, adding that the recognition would motivate the brand to continue raising standards as it expands its global presence.
Looking ahead, The Leela said it plans to build on its legacy through measured expansion, continued investment in its workforce and the development of distinctive luxury experiences that celebrate India’s heritage while meeting the expectations of modern travelers.
With a growing portfolio and long-term expansion strategy, the company aims to strengthen its position in the global luxury hospitality market while continuing to deliver experiences that blend Indian tradition with world-class service.
