Brands
Leela’s global wins spotlight a new era of Indian luxury
MUMBAI: Indian hospitality is having its moment in the global sun, and leading the charge is The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts. As international travellers and tastemakers look eastward for fresh interpretations of luxury, The Leela has emerged as the clearest, most confident voice of modern Indian elegance.
Its ascent has been marked by a year of sweeping international recognition. The Leela Palace Udaipur was named the best Indian urban escape by Robb Report’s Best of the Best 2026, while The Leela Raviz Kovalam claimed the title of India’s best resort at the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. Udaipur, Jaipur and Chennai properties also earned honourable mentions, underscoring a nationwide signature of excellence.
In the culinary and lifestyle leagues, the accolades continued. Michelin Keys awarded two keys each to The Leela Palace New Delhi and The Leela Palace Jaipur, with Chennai securing one key. Bengaluru’s ZLB23 entered Asia’s 50 Best Bars, while New Delhi’s Library Bar joined India’s 30 Best Bars. Megu and Le Cirque at The Leela Palace New Delhi made it to Condé Nast Traveller’s top 50 restaurants, strengthening the brand’s gastronomic influence.
Adding to this haul, The Leela Palace Udaipur was recently named Best Sustainable Hotel at the 2025 Ultras Awards in Dubai, a vote of confidence from over 32 million members of the Gha Discovery loyalty programme.
What sets this success apart is The Leela’s uncompromising embrace of Indian identity. Rather than polishing away cultural depth to chase global trends, the brand has fused tradition with contemporary design, craft and service, creating an experience that feels both rooted and relevant.
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, executive vice president – brand and communication Anjali Mehra, said the awards reflect more than beautiful properties and attentive service. “Guests are responding to a coherent philosophy that flows from architecture to amenities, from the first welcome to the final farewell,” she said.
As India’s cultural confidence rises on the world stage, The Leela aims to be one of its most compelling ambassadors. “This is Indian hospitality’s moment,” Mehra added. “We are committed to helping write its defining chapter.”
With its growing list of global honours, The Leela is not just collecting trophies; it is quietly redrawing the map of luxury, placing India firmly at its centre.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
