Nestled in the lush expanse of Banjara Hills, The Leela Hyderabad stands as a beacon of regal opulence and luxury, blending palace-style grandeur with the rich Dakhni heritage. From gilded ceilings and intricate Turkish chandeliers to meaningful art narratives woven into its design, the hotel offers an immersive experience that reflects the cultural essence of the region. Complementing its architectural magnificence are seven distinctive food and beverage outlets, each promising a culinary adventure for discerning guests.
At the helm of this iconic property is Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, the General Manager of The Leela Hyderabad a seasoned hospitality leader with over three decades of experience in managing world-class luxury hotels. Known for his innovative approach, guest-centric focus, and commitment to excellence, Gopalakrishnan brings a vision that elevates The Leela Hyderabad to new heights. His plans include enhancing personalised guest experiences, fostering sustainability initiatives, and positioning the hotel as a top destination for both leisure and business travellers in Hyderabad. In an engaging conversation with Asmita Mukherjee, Gopalakrishnan shared his insights on the market dynamics for a new entrant like The Leela Hyderabad and his strategic roadmap to establish it as one of Hyderabad’s finest luxury properties.
Q: As a new entrant in Hyderabad’s mature hospitality market, how does The Leela Hyderabad plan to carve out its niche, especially leveraging its location in Banjara Hills?
A: While Hyderabad’s new developments often gravitate towards the Hi-Tech City area, The Leela Hyderabad boasts a significant advantage with its strategic location in Banjara Hills, right in the heart of the city. We are the newest luxury property on this side of town, offering a scale and finesse that truly sets us apart. Hyderabad’s excellent infrastructure means a 20-minute drive can take guests from our location to Knowledge City or the Financial District. We’re part of the Central Business District, close to Jubilee Hills and major IT hubs, yet also offering easy access to the city’s historic and cultural attractions.
Q: How does the design and architecture of The Leela Hyderabad reflect the cultural heritage of the Deccan Plateau?
A: The artistic vision for The Leela Hyderabad is deeply rooted in promoting local art, a passion of our Managing Director, Miss Deepthi Reddy. We’ve drawn heavily from historic and prehistoric influences, including Pochampally and Deccan architecture. Our rooms feature 3D-printed artwork projecting traditional clock towers and various art forms, blending tradition with modern impact. The lobby’s “Wall of Fame” beautifully showcases the historical figures who shaped the Deccan region. Even our porch pillars are inspired by the 1,000 Pillar Temple of Warangal, and the massive lobby pillars draw inspiration from the Laad Bazaar’s bangle holders. In fact, a dedicated art tour of the hotel would take about an hour to cover all the intricate details.
Q: What role does local sourcing play in the hotel’s operations?
A: We strive to strike a balance between providing a global experience and supporting local communities. While certain high-quality items like chocolates are imported, we source a significant portion of our fruits and vegetables locally. We even have our own hydroponic farm on the property, encouraging local farmers and ensuring fresh produce for our guests. Importantly, all the art and fabrics throughout the hotel are designed and crafted by local artisans, maximizing our procurement with local traders.
Q: How does The Leela Hyderabad cater to the local community?
A: Hotels primarily serve their local communities, and The Leela Hyderabad is no exception. Our seven F&B outlets and expansive 20,000 sq ft spa, Nila, are designed to cater to both residents and non-resident guests. Nila, meaning “moon,” offers a modern take on wellness treatments and has a dedicated entrance and parking for non-resident members, allowing them to enjoy the spa’s services, including the 70-foot swimming pool, gym, salon, and various wellness programs like aerial yoga and physiotherapy, without needing to enter the main hotel lobby.
Q: What kind of guest profile is The Leela Hyderabad targeting?
A: As a luxury hotel, we aim to offer a luxurious experience in every aspect. While we offer a range of price points—from a basic Thali at INR 1,000 to buffets at INR 2,500 and various à la carte options—our target isn’t solely based on affordability. We seek guests who appreciate quality luxury. This includes both leisure and business travellers, especially those seeking exclusivity. Our club lounge, for instance, provides an exclusive space for business travellers to conduct meetings, entertain guests, or simply unwind in privacy. Modern business travellers are often looking for a smart blend of business and leisure.
Q: What is your strategy for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) and wedding segments, which are crucial for Hyderabad’s hospitality market?
A: Hyderabad is a fantastic MICE destination due to its central location, air connectivity, quality accommodations, and vibrant culture. We offer a niche banqueting space that can cater to about 250-300 guests and provide around 100 rooms. Our focus is on unique, experiential MICE programs for exclusive groups, such as those from the pharmaceutical, dining, lifestyle, or fashion industries, rather than large-scale exhibitions.
For weddings, we aim to provide a memorable experience. While we may not cater to massive volume of weddings, we offer a luxurious setting. Our 24-hour liquor license at the Library Bar is a significant advantage for wedding groups, especially for pre-wedding events and for younger guests looking to unwind. With seven F&B outlets, we can offer diverse culinary options beyond traditional wedding cuisine, including heirloom Indian and authentic Singaporean dishes. We also collaborate with nearby convention spaces for larger gatherings.
Q: Could you brief us on the hotel’s seven F&B outlets?
A: Certainly! The Leela Hyderabad boasts an impressive array of seven distinctive food and beverage outlets, each offering a unique culinary journey :
• The Wild Teapot: Our unique lounge specialises in Champagne and teas, offering a lovely ambience for high tea and conversations.
• Solcito: The all-day dining restaurant on the lobby level, featuring extensive buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a variety of Indian and international cuisines.
• The Library Bar: A cosy, modern bar with elegant interiors and two private dining spaces, perfect for quiet conversations and unwinding.
• Raen– The Chef’s Studio: Located on the second floor, this beautiful space with an outdoor area is where we host Sunday brunches. It’s an open theater for celebrity and specialist chefs to showcase their talent through residencies and pop-up events every 15 days.
• Tiga: Our Malaysian restaurant on the ninth floor, led by a resident expat chef from Malaysia, offers authentic Singaporean dishes like murtabak and dumplings.
• Adi: Opening soon on the ninth floor, this Indian restaurant will feature heirloom Indian cuisine, including traditional Andhra dishes and Hyderabadi cuisine curated by Chef Kulsum Begum from the Salar Jung family.
• Merav – Mediterranean Restaurant: Also on the ninth floor, this unique Mediterranean restaurant with a special cuisine by a celebrity chef is expected to open in August.
Additionally, we’re opening a specialty boutique shop called Maison Isa on the lobby level by the end of May, offering a unique selection of lifestyle products, fashion, and jewelry.
Q: What is your vision for The Leela Hyderabad under your leadership?
A: My vision is to establish The Leela Hyderabad as a destination that offers an unparalleled guest experience, particularly through our exceptional F&B offerings and the unique wellness facility, Nila.
Nila, with its combination of a swimming pool, gym, spa, salon, and dedicated wellness programs like aerial yoga and physiotherapy, is truly a comprehensive and distinctive offering. From a rooms perspective, we cater to a mix of segments, but with 30 luxury suites, which is about 20% of our inventory, we are poised to pamper our guests. We aim to deliver the renowned Leela Palace service, which includes luxury car service from the airport and a dedicated butler throughout the stay, ensuring a truly ultimate luxury experience that’s accessible even for business travellers.
Q: How many rooms does The Leela Hyderabad have, and what are your initial occupancy and RevPAR goals?
A: We have a total of 156 rooms, with 30 of those being suites. For the end of the financial year 2025-26, we aim for a 60% occupancy rate. While RevPAR is subject to market dynamics, our primary focus is to showcase the hotel to a broad segment of guests, with a positive trend of guests continuing to stay with us.
Q: As part of the Leela group, how do you plan to incorporate sustainability and eco-friendly practices?
A: Sustainability is a core value for The Leela group, and The Leela Hyderabad has embraced it from day one. We operate with zero plastic, utilising our own in-house bottling plant for purified water. We have a solar plant on the roof to generate electricity, and our STP water is reused for horticulture. We employ energy-saving equipment throughout the hotel, including high-precision equipment and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) in engineering to reduce power consumption. The building itself is designed to maximise natural daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. We also actively encourage our guests to adopt our sustainable practices during their stay.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you foresee as a new entrant in Hyderabad’s competitive market?
A: I don’t see Hyderabad as a highly competitive market; rather, it’s a growing marketplace where every hotel has the opportunity to thrive. The main challenge we face is the shortening booking window for guests, especially domestic travellers who plan at short notice. This requires heightened visibility.
However, the biggest challenge has been securing the right talent. Post-COVID, the hospitality industry has seen a talent shortage and erosion. We’ve invested significantly in training and retention programs and hired extra manpower where needed to maintain our high standards. Our focus on nurturing talent is crucial for our continued success.
