Leela to retain its core identity of luxury hospitality

Firm has 13 hotels that are currently operational and another 700-odd rooms are in active development

- Varuni Khosla

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, which is set to launch the largest initial public offering (IPO) in India's hospitality space to fund its expansion, is clear that it won't allow scale to dilute its core identity.

The luxury hotel chain, operated by Brookfield-backed Schloss Bangalore Ltd, says it will remain a distinct, pure-play luxury brand with a sharp focus on high-end hospitality, as it prepares to raise ₹3,500 via the public offer that opens on Monday. "Ours will be a niche, complete luxury hotel offering," Anuraag Bhatnagar, chief executive officer, Schloss Bangalore Ltd, told Mint.