Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts , India's premier luxury hotel brand, has announced a significant expansion of its footprint in Rajasthan with the signing of a management agreement for a new luxury desert resort in Jaisalmer. This strategic move marks the company's entry into Rajasthan's fabled desert capital, often referred to as the Golden City.

Resort Details

The new property, to be named The Leela Jaisalmer, is set to open its doors in 2026. Here are the key features of the upcoming resort:

Strategic Expansion

This new venture is part of Leela's strategic growth plan, which aims to expand through a balanced portfolio of owned and managed assets. The Leela Jaisalmer will complement the brand's existing properties in Rajasthan, creating synergistic itineraries with The Leela Palace Udaipur and The Leela Palace Jaipur.

Management Insights

Anuraag Bhatnagar, Whole-time Director & Chief Executive Officer of Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts Limited, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, "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."

Partnership and Vision

The resort is being developed in partnership with The Godwin Group. Chiranjeev Singh Bajwa, Director of Godwin Palace & Hotels Pvt Ltd, emphasized the shared commitment to showcasing India's rich heritage through world-class hospitality experiences.

Future Outlook

With this addition, Leela is on track to expand its portfolio to 23 properties with over 5,000 keys across India and Dubai over the next three years. The Leela Jaisalmer is poised to usher in a new era of luxury desert tourism in India, blending the region's regal heritage with The Leela's signature expression of luxury with purpose.

As the travel industry continues to evolve, especially in the luxury segment, this expansion by Leela Palaces Hotels & Resorts demonstrates the company's confidence in the growing demand for high-end, experiential travel in India's culturally rich destinations.

Schloss Bangalore , India's premier pure-play luxury hotel company, has announced its commitment to delivering mid-to-high teens EBITDA growth for the fiscal year 2026. This ambitious target comes on the heels of a robust financial performance in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2025-26.

Q2 FY26 Financial Highlights

The company reported impressive results for Q2 FY26, demonstrating strong growth across key financial metrics:

Strategic Expansion and Brand Enhancement

Schloss Bangalore is actively pursuing growth opportunities, with plans to expand its portfolio from the current 13 properties to 22 over the next three years. The company is set to enter high-growth markets including Agra, Ayodhya, Bandhavgarh, Mumbai, Ranthambore, Sikkim, and Srinagar.

In a significant move towards international expansion, the company has received board approval to acquire a 25% stake in a luxury beachfront resort in Dubai's iconic Palm Jumeirah. This strategic investment, requiring an upfront capital of approximately ₹4,370.00 million, marks Schloss Bangalore's first foray into the global market.

Operational Excellence

The company's performance reflects its strong positioning in the luxury hospitality sector:

• RevPAR growth outperformed the luxury segment across all markets, showing 3x market benchmark growth in H1 FY26.
• Occupancy increased to 69%, up 4 percentage points year-over-year.
• Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose to ₹19,290.00, a 7% increase from the previous year.

Management Commentary

Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer, commented on the results: "We delivered a robust performance in Q2 FY26 with total revenue growing 11% to ₹3,334.00 million, EBITDA rising 17% to ₹1,607.00 million, and PAT growing to ₹747.00 million. This marks our fourth consecutive quarter of positive PAT, underscoring the strength of our business."

He further added, "We remain on track to deliver mid-to-high teens EBITDA growth for FY26, supported by robust operating momentum, strategic initiatives, and continued portfolio enhancements."

Looking Ahead

With a strong balance sheet, innovative brand initiatives, and strategic expansion plans, Schloss Bangalore is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for luxury hospitality experiences in India and beyond. The company's focus on operational excellence and strategic growth initiatives sets a solid foundation for achieving its ambitious EBITDA growth target for FY26.

As the hospitality sector continues to recover and evolve, Schloss Bangalore's commitment to luxury and expansion strategy may well position it as a leader in the premium segment of the Indian and international hospitality market.