Preferred Hotels & Resorts announces the addition of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary to its prestigious Legend Collection, the ultimate portfolio of exceptional properties in the world’s most remarkable destinations. Unveiled in July 2026 following its acquisition earlier in the year, the reimagined property is set amidst 76 acres of ancient forests, coffee plantation and the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, offering a combination of seclusion, heritage and authentic Indian hospitality, reinforcing the Legend Collection’s presence in India.
Set within one of Coorg’s oldest coffee estates, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary draws on Kodava heritage and estate living, built from laterite stone, bamboo and indigenous materials in harmony with the surrounding forest Its 71 villas include Riverstone Family Villas, Mistwood Villas, Forestlight Luxury Villas, and the four-bedroom Sunbeam Presidential Villa, several with private pools, outdoor Jacuzzis and open-air showers overlooking the forest canopy.
As The Leela marks four decades of true Indian luxury, the property stands as one of its most immersive nature-led destinations. Guests can explore the estate’s biodiversity via guided nature trails, practice yoga on a lakeside bamboo deck, and dine on an island setting. Dining spans Kodava specialties at the all-day restaurant, Luma and Pan-Asian cuisine at the overwater restaurant, Zen, with produce sourced from local plantations and spice farms. Signature experiences include cherry-to-cup coffee tastings at 92 Degrees using beans grown on the estate, while the 27,000-square-foot Aujasya by The Leela Spa offers Ayurvedic therapies and a Turkish Hammam.
“We are proud to welcome The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary into our Legend Collection, a property that captures the spirit of Coorg’s forests and coffee estates in every detail,” said Saurabh Rai, Executive Vice President of South Asia, Middle East, and Africa at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “It’s a beautiful example of what the Legend Collection stands for, and it deepens our long-standing partnership with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, whose properties across India continue to be some of the most celebrated in our portfolio. We look forward to introducing more travellers to this extraordinary corner of the country.”
Anuraag Bhatnagar, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts said, “At The Leela, we believe that the truest expression of luxury lies in creating experiences that evoke a unique sense of place. At The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, this philosophy finds expression in the quiet grandeur of ancient forests, the enduring heritage of coffee estates and the unhurried rhythms of Coorg. It is a considered approach to luxury, where nature sets the pace, a destination reveals its character, and every experience is shaped by a profound sense of belonging. As we continue to shape the future of The Leela, our endeavour remains to create exceptional destinations that celebrate India’s extraordinary diversity through a distinctive lens of Indian luxury.”
The addition forms part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ strategic 18-year partnership with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts across India, bringing the number of Leela properties in the portfolio to 12: six in the Legend Collection, including The Leela Palace Jaipur, The Leela Palace New Delhi, The Leela Palace Udaipur and six in L.V.X., such as The Leela Mumbai, and The Leela Gandhinagar, to name a few.
Guests of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary will be eligible to enroll in I Prefer Hotel Rewards, Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ points-based loyalty programme with more than 6 million members worldwide. Complimentary to join, I Prefer Members earn points redeemable for cash-value Reward Certificates, elite status, and additional benefits at over 700 participating properties across the globe.
