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The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has expanded its footprint in Rajasthan by announcing a management agreement with The Godwin Group for its first Desert Resort and Spa in Jaisalmer. Spanning 30 acres, the upcoming 80-room property will be branded as The Leela Jaisalmer and is expected to open in 2026. Strategically located near the iconic Jaisalmer Fort, the resort will feature luxury rooms, tented villas, a spa, multiple dining spaces, and event venues, reinforcing The Leela's presence in India's premier leisure and cultural destinations.
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, India's sole pure-play luxury hospitality brand, announced earlier this week that it had signed a management agreement with The Godwin Group for The Leela Jaisalmer. This marks the brand's first venture into Rajasthan's renowned desert capital, often called the Golden City. Spread across 30 acres of desert terrain, the 80-room luxury Desert Resort and Spa is scheduled to open in 2026, strengthening The Leela's presence across India's leading leisure and cultural hubs. Advertisement
Located amid the Thar Desert and close to the UNESCO-listed Jaisalmer Fort, The Leela Jaisalmer will offer an exclusive retreat with refined luxury and tranquillity. The property will be easily accessible from Jaisalmer Airport and Jodhpur, ensuring seamless connectivity for both domestic and international visitors. Designed as a luxury desert escape, the resort will comprise elegantly crafted rooms, tented villas, a spacious spa, salon, children's club, swimming pool, multiple dining outlets, a man-made lake, a pillarless ballroom, and large outdoor lawns ideal for weddings and special events.
The agreement also bolsters The Leela's position in Rajasthan's high-demand leisure circuit, complementing its existing properties in Jaipur and Udaipur. This strategic expansion aligns with the brand's vision of maintaining a balanced portfolio of owned and managed assets while upholding its hallmark of world-class service and Indian luxury.
Anuraag Bhatnagar, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer of Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts Limited, expressed that the company was pleased to enter Jaisalmer with its first desert resort, adding that Rajasthan holds vast potential for luxury travel, with Jaisalmer emerging as a preferred choice among global visitors. He mentioned that this expansion fits within The Leela's strategy to create distinctive destinations that celebrate India's cultural richness and cater to discerning travellers seeking meaningful experiences.
Chiranjeev Singh Bajwa, Director of Godwin Palace & Hotels Pvt. Ltd., noted that the partnership reflected a shared commitment to highlighting India's heritage through luxury hospitality. He said the collaboration would bring The Leela's distinguished service to Jaisalmer, offering guests experiences that blend international standards with local character. Tanveer Singh Bajwa, also a Director at Godwin Palace & Hotels Pvt. Ltd., added that the venture aimed to create a desert sanctuary capturing the timeless charm of Jaisalmer while reimagining modern luxury.
In the coming months, the property will incorporate The Leela's signature design and service touchpoints before being officially launched in 2026. With its elegant architecture and experiential offerings that echo Rajasthan's regal heritage, The Leela Jaisalmer is expected to become a landmark in India's luxury desert tourism circuit.
Currently, The Leela operates 13 properties with 3,544 keys across 11 Indian cities and plans to expand to 23 properties, including those in Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Mumbai, Ranthambore, Sikkim, Srinagar, Dubai, and now Jaisalmer, over the next few years.
Source - PTI
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