The Leela Palace Mumbai

Mumbai

Mumbai, formerly Bombay, whose name change in 1995 marked a further separation from its colonial past, is India’s most heavily populated city with 15 million inhabitants, almost 20 million if you include greater Mumbai. It is also the country’s economic capital and a constantly hyperactive metropolis where traffic is always heavy, where opportunity prevails and where the center of Indian cinema is located, the world famous Bollywood.

Mumbai however, is also a sensual experience with crowded streets and shops always open, a seemingly constant state of frenzy and yet, once you accept its hectic rhythm, you can discover the thousand and one facets of an emotionally rich city.

As a land of contrasts, Mumbai preserves the traces of its colonial past through buildings like for example, the Gateway of India and Victoria Station, classified a UNESCO world heritage. It is also however, a city of continuous frenetic and relentless urbanization.

It isIndia’s main port and the perfect departure point for visiting the famous caves of Elephanta Island. The classiest quarter of the city is the area along Marine Drive, on the “Queen’s necklace”, in reference to the lights that illuminate the bay at night.

The origin of a success story

Opened in 1986, Le Leela Mumbai marks the beginning of an incredible adventure. Its owner and founder of the Leela Hotel group, Captain Chittarath Poovakkatt Krishnan Nair, entered the hotel industry at age 65 after having become a millionaire as a textile manufacturer. His empire today is one of India’s most important luxury goods group. The adventure was born in this hotel in the north of Mumbai, near the airport.

At the time, no other hotelier considered this area as an interesting site to build on, although it is now one of the most sought after regions of the city, notably thanks to the Leela. Originally designed for business travellers, the Leela attracts more and more tourists who appreciate the establishment’s charm and splendor, including the all marble lobby, the reflecting light, the presence of a calming water pool and extremely generous volumes. Another innovation is the vegetation around the hotel, creating an oasis of peace, serenity and well-being in the heart of this lively, hyperactive quarter.

The comfort of the Leela’s 390 rooms and suites is constantly being renewed. There is even a special range known as the Royal Club, spread over two floors, with suites and rooms reserved for the most demanding guests and with services worthy of a Maharajah’s palace.

The uniqueness of the Leela lies in its extraordinary swimming pool, surrounded by thick vegetation and adjacent to a waterfall; a truly idyllic and enchanting site. The work carried out in the garden on its plants and trees transforms this venue into a dream like space, making it extremely difficult to believe that the madness of Mumbai is only a few meters away!

The hotel’s gastronomy consists of a restaurant, the Jamovar, serving Indian specialties and a Chinese restaurant famous for its dim sum. The spa is situated near a shopping gallery with a great many boutiques.

Captain Krishnan Nair is still very attached to his hotel, near which he has built his own home. He makes regular visits to his magnificent garden, probably to reflect upon his future hotel projects.