Leela Chairman Named "Green Hotelier of the Decade"

Indian Hotelier Capt. Nair Honored for Good Works; Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur Named "Best Exotic Resort" at Gulf Connoisseur Awards

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. December 02, 2010

MUMBAI, India - November 22, 2010 - Captain C. P. Krishnan Nair, the chairman of one of India's leading luxury hotel groups, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, was cited for his work in preserving the environment at the recent Gulf Connoisseur Awards. And the group's newest luxury property - The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur - was named “best exotic resort” winning over properties of such illustrious luxury brands as Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental Hotels. The awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at the Armani Hotel in Dubai, the first event to be hosted at the newly-opened Armani Pavilion.

In bestowing Captain Nair with the special Connoisseur Award for “Green Hotelier of the Decade,” Meena Narayan, Editor-in Chief and Managing Partner of Gulf Connoisseur said, “Captain C. P. Krishnan Nair has gone above and beyond the call of duty to bring green issues to the forefront of the industry. His passion for green initiatives has set him truly apart from other hoteliers. He has converted several acres of land in India into verdant havens and in the seven cities where Leela hotels stand resplendent; he personally supervises the landscaping and plantation of exotic and rare plants. The strategic locations, individuality, architectural aesthetics, lush green gardens and the intrinsic Indian culture holds true for every Leela property and is reflected in the Group's “Essence of India” slogan. Today, the Connoisseur's personality award goes to a man who has changed the face of luxury hospitality in India,” continued Narayan.

“This award sums up the Leela Group of Hotels & Resorts to a tee,” said Captain Nair, who flew to Dubai to personally receive the award. “Our properties have become increasingly popular with guests from abroad and have become rightly known as the epitome of luxury in India,” he noted.

In the International Hospitality category, the Connoisseur Award for “Best Exotic Resort” was bestowed on The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur and Leela President Rajiv Kaul was on hand to receive it. The contemporary palace hotel lies nestled on the banks of Lake Pichola in one of historic Rajasthan's iconic cities. The epitome of luxury, the hotel captures the romance and splendor of a bygone era and gives guests the opportunity to experience life as a modern maharana. The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur won over two other unique properties, the Mandarin Dhara Devi, Chiang Mai and Four Seasons Istanbul for the “best in exotic resorts.” Two hotels that won in other categories were: the Armani Hotel Dubai as the latest entrant in niche business hotels and the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru as the best in island resorts.

Decided by a panel of six judges, the Gulf Connoisseur Awards set out to recognize the very best in outstanding luxury products. The panel chooses from a small group of nominations in each category which range from jewellery and fashion to private jets and exotic destinations.

For further information, please visit www.theleela.com and
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About The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts:
Hotel Leelaventure Ltd. operates The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Gurgaon - Delhi N.C.R., Udaipur, Goa and Kovalam. Located in key business and leisure destinations, and charting a pan India presence in the near future, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts are a blend of aesthetic sensibility, modern amenities and truly reflect the essence of India. New hotels will soon open in Chennai in 2011, and subsequently in Agra, Hyderabad and Lake Ashtamudi in Kerala. The group has marketing alliances with Germany based Kempinski (Hoteliers since 1897); US based Preferred Hotel Group and are members of Global Hotel Alliance based in Geneva, Switzerland.