Exclusivity: Latest offering on luxe hotel chains' menu

Exclusivity is the latest feature on offer by luxury hotel chains, as they bet big on the rising demand for luxurious getaways in the country, often curated for members of their loyalty programmes.

- AKSHARA SRIVASTAVA

From high-end villas with private sommeliers to exclusive showcases at cultural centres to private sessions with Michelin-starred chefs and celebrities, hotel chains are pulling out all the stops. In October last year, Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts launched Arq by the Leela—a collection of the uber luxurious villas at Pichola lake in Udaipur—spanning 360 sq mt to 803 sq mt, starting at over ₹250,000 per night.

"As incomes grow, people are looking beyond destinations and travelling specifically for experiences. We are seeing that in Udaipur and Jaipur, where guests don't necessarily step out of hotels but just want to soak in the experiences that the properties have to offer," said Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, at the luxury hospitality chain.