Tag Archives: Aujasya – The Leela Spa

A forest, a private lake, in-resort helipad and 71 villas: Inside Coorg’s new luxury sanctuary

Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), , , , , , , ,

Set across 76 acres of lush Coorg forest, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary brings together secluded luxury villas, immersive nature trails, local cuisine and expansive wellness experiences. From private pools and heritage coffee rituals to birdwatching and the Aujasya spa, this is Coorg designed for slowing down in style.

At the Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, bamboo-canopied architecture and laterite stone come together to embellish the 71 secluded luxury villas, each of which offer a distinct experience

Nestled in a 76-acre estate in the heart of Coorg, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary marks a new foray for one of India’s finest hospitality brands. From verdant landscapes and nature trails, local flavours, curated wellness programs and astounding birdlife, Leela’s first wellness-anchored forest sanctuary allows you to truly immerse yourself in the best of Coorg.

Secluded luxury villas

Bamboo-canopied architecture and laterite stone come together to embellish the 71 secluded luxury villas, each of which offer a distinct experience. The Presidential Villa is an abode in itself with easy access to the in-resort helipad. It combines four villas with a drawing room that will transport you to a colonial-era, planters club replete with leather sofas and dark wood.

The large private kitchen at the villa can be manned by one of Leela’s chefs or your own personal Chef. The accommodation also includes a large private pool with a poolside bar and a dedicated gym. Villa options include the massive 3,200 sq. ft.

The Forestlight Villa includes a stunning outdoor lounge, and a temperature-controlled pool with twin massage beds on the deck. There’s also the Mistwood Villa which features two large indoor spaces, a private pool with a deck and a jacuzzi.

For your taste buds

Zen, Leela’s signature Pan Asian restaurant, plays out in a new setting. Located over a shimmering water body, this outdoor paradise offers a choice of private gazebos that overlook acres of green landscapes. The menu includes Zen’s signature sushi rolls and dim sums with a cocktail program that incorporates local ingredients. Some of these ingredients also play out in the cocktail program at The Cellar, the resort’s cosy bar that’s tucked away under the all-day diner. Do check out the bar’s signature cocktail, the Kachampuli Highball with a tangy Coorg slant.

The Presidential Villa at the Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary is an abode in itself with easy access to the in-resort helipad

Luma, the all-day diner, offers some of the best views of the private lake within the resort. Ask for the chef’s specially curated local menu where emblematic dishes like the pandi (pork) curry and ingredients like bamboo shoot are usually in the mix. I’d also recommend a signature heritage coffee curation experience at 92 degrees, the resort’s dedicated coffee lounge that allows you to get up close with Coorg’s coffee heritage. You will be tempted to take advantage of the resort’s elaborate in-room dining menu that blends the best of Asian, European and Indian flavours.

Rejuvenate, relax in luxury

The 27,000 sq. ft. Aujasya by The Leela Spa is one of the biggest in any luxury resort in India. With 25 treatment rooms spread over multiple levels, it’s easy to find your zen space. The spa offers a hammam and treatments from across the world. You can also opt for the in-villa spa experience. The large Vinyasa deck on the edge of the lake offers yoga and pranayama sessions. There are a host of activities, including kayaking on the private lake, that truly let you unwind.

The 27,000 sq. ft. Aujasya by The Leela Spa is one of the biggest in any luxury resort in India

Trails, at your doorstep 

The best trails begin at your doorstep. Sign up for one of the nature walks that are worth waking up early for. The resort is a hub for Coorg’s fabled birdlife. It’s not unusual to spot at least 25 species of birds during the space of a 90-minute walk through the resort. Look out for woodpeckers and hornbills as well as the Giant Malabar Squirrel (one of the world’s largest squirrels) as it leaps from one tree to the next. Coorg’s popular attractions like Talacauvery (where the Cauvery river originates) and Abbey Falls are easily accessible from the resort. Do make time to visit Namdroling Nyinmape, a Tibetan monastery in Bylakuppe (45 minutes from the resort) that is home of one India’s largest Tibetan communities.

Plan your stay

The resort is about six hours from the Bengaluru International Airport. The Kannur International Airport is three hours away. You could combine your trip to the resort with a pit-stop in Mysore (three hours away). The in-resort helipad also allows you to arrive on a chartered helicopter service.

Flaunt insider tip

If you’re planning a romantic break, do book the Forestlight Villa with an intimate bedroom, a large outdoor lounge and outdoor showers.

source: http://www.firstpost.com / First Post / Home> First Post Flaunt> Travel / by Ashwin Rajagopalan / August 26th, 2026

This Forest Resort in South India Will Open With Private Villas, a Huge Spa, and a 7-acre Lake

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), , , , , , , , ,

Set amid coffee and spice farms in South India’s Coorg Region, the new resort will be part of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts’ portfolio.

The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary. / Credit: The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

Key Points:

  • The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary will feature 71 private villas surrounded by lush greenery and coffee estates near Madikeri, in Karnataka’s Coorg region.
  • Guests will enjoy wellness experiences such as yoga, Ayurvedic therapies, and a Turkish hammam at a 27,000-square-foot spa, along with access to a lake and family-friendly amenities.
  • The resort reflects the brand’s shift toward nature-focused retreats, offering privacy and restoration in a serene setting.

A new luxury retreat is coming to one of South India’s atmospheric hill regions. Later this year, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, a 2025 Global Vision Awards winner , will launch The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, a 76-acre, all-villa hideaway set amid coffee estates and misty, forested hills near Madikeri, in Karnataka’s Coorg region.

“The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary offers a rare synthesis of wilderness, wellness, and warmth of true Indian luxury for travelers who seek space, stillness, and a genuine connection to nature,” Anuraag Bhatnagar, the brand’s chief executive officer, shares in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure.

Exterior view of a villa with a private plunge pool. / Credit: Sounak Ghosh / The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

The resort’s accommodations will include split-level family villas and intimate retreats for couples, all tucked into the surrounding greenery. At the top end, a four-bedroom presidential villa will come with a private pool and wellness facilities.

The setting is a big part of the draw. Coorg, in the Western Ghats, is known for its cooler climate, waterfalls, and rolling spice farms. It’s also one of India’s most important coffee-growing districts. That heritage will show up in the resort’s bean-to-cup coffee programming, including a plantation walk and tasting at Modur, one of Coorg’s oldest coffee estates.

Exterior of the restaurant. / Credit : The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

On the dining front, the resort is planned with four venues spanning regional and global cooking, including a striking bee-shaped all-day dining restaurant, an overwater dining space, and a lounge.

Wellness will be just as central to the experience, too. Aujasya by The Leela Spa, the resort’s 27,000-square-foot sanctuary drawing inspiration from the brand’s signature wellness program, will offer yoga by the lake, pranayama breath control, Ayurvedic and global therapies, Swedish and Balinese massage, aromatherapy, a Turkish hammam, panoramic sauna, steam, Jacuzzi, and relaxation areas.

The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary. / Credit: Sounak Ghosh/The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts

The seven-acre lake will allow rowing, fishing, and kayaking. Other planned activities include guided nature walks, birding, cycling, stargazing, and forest trails leading to two natural waterfalls. There will also be a family-friendly outdoor play area.

The project marks a new direction for The Leela. Best known for grand city hotels and palace-style stays, the Indian luxury brand is using the Coorg property to introduce its first Sanctuary, a concept focused on nature, privacy, and restoration rather than polished city glamour. The move comes as the company marks its 40th anniversary and expands further into destination-driven leisure travel.

source: http://www.travelandleisure.com / Travel + Leisure / Home / by Regan Stephen / May 14th, 2026