The Best Hoteliers of India

The best hoteliers from across the country weigh in on what makes the luxury traveller tick?

- By Anushka Manik

They're the gatekeepers of wanderlust, the dream-weavers behind infinity pools, pillow menus and once-in-a-lifetime sunsets.

But what really goes on in the minds of India's top hoteliers? We asked them everything-from how to charm the ever-evolving next-gen traveller to whether wellness is the new luxury, and even their guilty pleasures when checking into someone else's lobby. Their answers move between boardroom strategy and barefoot beach memories, revealing that hospitality is as much about heart as it is about high-thread-count sheets.

Anuraag Bhatnagar

CEO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

In the ever-evolving landscape of luxury travel, where expectations shift as quickly as trends, Mr. Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, has carved a distinct philosophy that true indulgence is no longer about excess, but about meaning. "The next generation of luxury travellers isn't chasing abundance," he says. "They're seeking sanctuary, individuality and purpose."

This vision comes alive in The Leela's hyper-personalised approach, where experiences are attuned to every nuance of a guest's desire. At Udaipur, private electric boat transfers glide across Lake Pichola before delivering a floating breakfast at ARQ, while ultra-luxury villas and the signature butler service across the portfolio elevate privacy into an art form. "Privacy has become the ultimate currency," Bhatnagar notes, "... and our role is to make it seamless. Service needs to be invisible yet omnipresent."