Travel + Leisure readers ranked The Leela as the world’s No. 2 hotel brand for 2026, highlighting how Indian luxury hospitality continues to gain international recognition through distinctive guest experiences.
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 survey, reinforcing the growing international profile of India’s luxury hospitality sector. The recognition comes during the brand’s 40th anniversary year and is accompanied by strong performances from individual properties, with The Leela Palace Udaipur named the No. 2 resort in India and included among the world’s top 100 hotels, while The Leela Palace New Delhi earned the No. 2 ranking among India’s best city hotels.
The annual rankings, determined by readers of Travel + Leisure, are widely regarded as an influential measure of guest satisfaction across the global travel industry. Hotels are evaluated on factors including accommodations, service, dining, location, facilities, and overall value, making the results a reflection of traveler experiences rather than industry judging panels. For The Leela, the latest ranking continues a pattern of consistent international recognition, following previous appearances at the top of the list in 2020 and 2021 and additional top-three placements in recent years.
The results also reflect the broader evolution of Indian luxury hospitality on the global stage. Rather than relying solely on international luxury standards, brands such as The Leela have increasingly emphasized experiences rooted in local culture, architecture, craftsmanship, and traditions of hospitality. The company’s long-standing philosophy of Atithi Devo Bhava, meaning “Guest is God,” has become a defining element of its identity, combining Indian cultural values with contemporary luxury expectations for both domestic and international travelers.
Beyond individual accolades, the recognition arrives as India’s tourism and hospitality industries continue to attract growing international attention. Demand for distinctive cultural experiences has encouraged luxury hotel groups to invest in properties that showcase regional heritage while meeting global service standards. In that context, awards such as these serve not only as recognition of operational excellence but also as indicators of changing traveler preferences toward authentic, destination-driven experiences.
As The Leela enters its fifth decade, the company says it plans to continue expanding its portfolio while investing in its workforce and guest experience. Whether future rankings remain as favorable will ultimately depend on its ability to maintain the consistent service and distinctive identity that have earned it recognition from travelers around the world.
