The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has signed a management agreement with The Godwin Group for The Leela Jaisalmer, marking the brand’s first property in Rajasthan’s desert capital. The resort, set on 30 acres of desert landscape, will feature 80 rooms and is scheduled to open in 2026. This expansion further extends The Leela’s presence across India’s leisure and cultural destinations.
Strategically located near Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the resort will offer rooms and tented villas, an expansive spa, a salon, a dedicated kids’ club, a swimming pool, multiple dining venues, a man-made lake, a pillarless ballroom, and outdoor lawns and courtyards suitable for weddings, celebrations and gatherings. The property is accessible from Jaisalmer Airport and Jodhpur.
“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. With both domestic and inbound travel gaining momentum, The Leela is poised to be at the forefront of welcoming discerning travellers seeking meaningful and transformative experiences,” said Mr. Anuraag Bhatnagar, Whole-time director and CEO, Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts Limited.
The signing strengthens The Leela’s footprint in Rajasthan and supports the creation of itineraries connecting The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace Jaipur.
“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,” said Mr. Chiranjeev Singh Bajwa, director, Godwin Palace and Hotels Pvt Ltd.
“Jaisalmer has long enchanted travellers with its golden landscapes and living history. Together with The Leela, we look forward to creating a desert sanctuary that captures the Golden City’s timeless allure and reimagines luxury for today’s traveller,” said Mr. Tanveer Singh Bajwa, director, Godwin Palace and Hotels Pvt Ltd.
Over the next months, The Leela brand will implement its signature touchpoints and programming at the property. It will operate under the name The Leela Jaisalmer upon opening in 2026. The resort’s design will feature architecture and interiors reflecting Rajasthan’s heritage and experiential programming inspired by the desert environment.
Currently, The Leela operates 13 properties with 3,544 rooms across 11 cities in India. Ten additional hotels are in development, bringing the brand’s portfolio to 23 properties with over 5,000 rooms in high-growth locations including Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Mumbai, Ranthambore, Sikkim, Srinagar, Dubai and Jaisalmer.
The Leela Jaisalmer represents the brand’s first desert resort and spa in Rajasthan, further establishing its position within the state’s tourism circuit and contributing to the brand’s strategic growth plan of combining owned and managed properties while maintaining service standards.
