The Leela named the world's No. 2 hotel brand in 2026 global rankings

The Leela has added another global accolade to its portfolio after being named the world's second-best hotel brand in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026. The annual reader-voted rankings are considered one of the hospitality industry's most influential benchmarks, recognising brands that consistently deliver outstanding guest experiences across the world.

The latest recognition also shines a spotlight on two of the brand's flagship properties. The Leela Palace Udaipur was ranked the No. 2 resort in India and also earned a place among the Top 100 Hotels in the World. Meanwhile, The Leela Palace New Delhi secured the No. 2 position in the Best City Hotels in India category.

The achievement arrives during a landmark year for the luxury hotel group as it celebrates 40 years since its founding. Over the past decade, The Leela has remained a consistent performer in the Travel + Leisure rankings, having previously claimed the title of World's Best Hotel Brand in 2020 and 2021 before placing third in both 2023 and 2024.

The Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards are based on feedback from the magazine's international readership. Hotels and brands are evaluated across several factors, including accommodation quality, service standards, dining experiences, location, amenities and overall value.

Known for blending Indian heritage with contemporary luxury, The Leela's collection of palaces, hotels and resorts continues to draw travellers looking for experiences rooted in local culture while meeting global hospitality standards. The company also highlighted its Net Promoter Score of 86, reflecting strong guest satisfaction and loyalty across its portfolio.

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Commenting on the recognition, Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said, "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. 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."

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He added that the honour belongs to the employees, guests, owners and partners who have supported the brand's journey, while also reaffirming its commitment to raising the benchmark for Indian luxury hospitality in the years ahead.