Five reasons to rediscover India The Leela Way this winter and spring

• Experience your own country as never before with The Leela Palace Trail – where every journey becomes a story of immersive luxury 

There's travel that ticks off destinations, and then there's travel that transforms how you see a place. For Indians seeking for the latter to rediscover their country as more than just tourists, the season between December 2025 and March 2026 offers something truly exceptional. It is, after all, when India's cultural calendar comes alive with festivals, sport, art, literature, and celebration and The Leela Palace Trail connects this all with eight award-winning properties across the country’s most captivating destinations.

And with The Leela’s exclusive mobile-only booking offer live until March 31, 2026, you can now unlock seamless, on-the-go reservations with a 3% discount on GHA rates, signature arrival amenities, and guaranteed one-level upgrades for stays of three nights or more, making your rediscovery of India both effortless and indulgent.

Be it Jaipur, New Delhi, Udaipur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ashtamudi, Kovalam, or Hyderabad, The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts is set to mark 40 years of redefining Indian luxury in 2026 with a truly Indian and uniquely authentic hospitality experience. 

Here, then, are five reasons to see India The Leela Way – not as destinations to visit, but as stories to immerse in. 

1.     Celebrate the Holidays Beyond the Familiar: December 19, 2025, to January 4, 2026 

Trade predictable year-end routines for something more meaningful, whether it is Udaipur's lakeside splendour, Jaipur's heritage grandeur, or Kovalam's coastal serenity. Start days with global gourmet breakfasts honouring regional Indian flavours and participate in The Leela Picante cocktail ritual, seasonal baking sessions, tree lighting ceremonies, and gingerbread decoration. Welcome the New Year with sunrise yoga or an Aujasya breakfast designed to restore balance – and top it all off with The Leela Ke Phool festive hamper, a thoughtful token designed for the mindful traveller, for a holiday that feels genuinely restorative. 

2.     Immerse Yourself in Literature's Greatest Gathering: January 15-18, 2026, | The Leela Palace Jaipur 

The Jaipur Literature Festival – quite possibly the greatest literary show in the world – offers immersion in India's intellectual currents on a scale that's difficult to replicate. The Leela Palace Jaipur sits at the heart of this gathering, providing a space for literature and luxury to intersect naturally. 

Attend panels that challenge your thinking, participate in the glittering Writers' Ball where conversations continue beyond formal sessions, and retreat to spaces designed for quiet contemplation. For Indians who love language and ideas, this is a homecoming to the voices shaping the country's cultural conversation. 

3.     Experience Polo's Royal Heritage in Contemporary Form: February 7-8, 2026, | The Leela Palace Jaipur 

The Leela Sawai Man Singh Polo Cup captures the romance of India's equestrian heritage – a sport connecting to royalty whilst remaining vibrantly alive today, providing a dimension of Indian culture that thrives beyond museum walls. 

Attend the exclusive pre-dinner evening, then witness the final match where skill and strategy create genuine drama. The Leela Palace Jaipur frames these moments without overwhelming them, allowing the sport and setting to speak for themselves.

4.     Engage with Contemporary Indian Art Where It Happens: February 5-8, 2026, | The Leela Palace New Delhi 

The India Art Fair has become one of Asia's most important contemporary art events, showcasing work that challenges convention. For those curious about where the country's visual culture is heading, the fair offers essential viewing. As official hospitality partner and VIP Lounge host, The Leela Palace New Delhi welcomes collectors, curators, and enthusiasts into spaces designed for viewing and conversation. Witness Indian and South Asian artists attracting global attention and understand the dialogues happening between tradition and innovation. If you are curious about the visual language being created right now and want to immerse in this aspect of Indian culture, there is no better way or venue to engage with it. 

5.     Celebrate Holi with Meaning, Not Just Spectacle: March 2026 | Across The Leela Palaces 

If you are looking for Holi beyond Instagram moments and want an experience that resonates with its deeper significance, The Leela's celebrations across all properties offer something far more substantial: participation in the festivities with both understanding and joy. Whether lakeside in Udaipur, in palace gardens in Jaipur, or seaside in Kovalam, each property captures Holi's spirit with organic colours, curated festivities, and cultural context. Round off your rediscovery with a festival that embodies India's ability to find joy in colour, music, and communal gathering – not from the outside looking in, but as someone reclaiming what belongs to you. 

The Leela Palace Trail offers cultural continuity across diverse destinations, allowing you to move through India knowing each property honours both your comfort and curiosity. This winter and spring, travel not to escape India, but to rediscover it. The country you think you know may surprise you yet. 

Rediscover India The Leela Way and unlock exclusive benefits when you book through your mobile.

Plan your winter and spring journey at www.theleela.com