India-based luxury hotel group The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has entered a management agreement to open the brand’s first desert resort and spa in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
The planned resort will be developed in partnership with The Godwin Group and is scheduled to open next year.
The Leela Jaisalmer will occupy 30 acres of land and will comprise 80 rooms. When operational, the property will also offer tented villas, dining venues, a children’s club, and a swimming pool.
Additional facilities will include an artificial lake, a pillarless ballroom and outdoor lawns and courtyards for events.
The Leela resort will be located near the Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, within the Thar desert.
The site will be accessible from Jaisalmer airport and is within reach of Jodhpur, providing travel options for both domestic and international visitors.
The announcement signals the company’s ongoing strategy to increase its presence in major leisure destinations across India.
By launching its presence in Jaisalmer, The Leela aims to strengthen links between its existing locations in Rajasthan, specifically Udaipur and Jaipur.
The Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts whole-time director and CEO Anuraag Bhatnagar said: “We are delighted to announce our foray into Jaisalmer with our first Desert Resort and Spa.
"Rajasthan continues to hold immense potential for luxury travel, with Jaisalmer emerging as a preferred destination for global travellers. This signing strategically expands our footprint in one of India’s most evocative landscapes and aligns with our vision to curate distinctive properties that celebrate the essence of India.”
The agreement is also part of a broader expansion effort through a combination of owned and managed assets.
Godwin Palace & Hotels director Chiranjeev Singh Bajwa said: “We are excited to partner with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts to bring their distinguished legacy of luxury hospitality to Jaisalmer.
"This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to showcasing India’s rich heritage through experiences that blend world-class standards with a deep sense of place.”
The hospitality company currently operates 13 hotels with a total of 3,544 rooms in 11 cities across India.
A further ten properties are under development as part of its growth plan to operate 23 hotels with more than 5,000 rooms over the next three years.
The upcoming locations include Agra, Ayodhya, Mumbai, Bandhavgarh, Dubai, Ranthambore and Srinagar.
The Leela launched a 156-room hotel in Hyderabad in November 2024, marking its first presence in the city.
