The Leela’s newest resort – The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary – is now open. This marks Leela’s entry into a new segment which it has named “Sanctuary”. Let’s find out more about this resort.

The Resort

The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, located in Madikeri, is spread across 76 acres of lush coffee plantations. The nearest airport is Kannur which is 98 kms away while the airports in Mangalore and Bangalore are 153 kms and 298 kms away. Here is what the resort is all about in the brand’s words:

In the mist‑laden highlands of Coorg, where rolling coffee and spice plantations meet ancient forest trails and the living traditions of Kodava land, a quiet sanctuary emerges. Here, nature moves at its own rhythm, culture lingers in the air, and time slows to invite a deeper connection – to the land and to oneself.

Spread across 76 acres of lush coffee plantations, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary is more than a destination; it is an awakening. Forest whispers, drifting mist, and tranquil echoes encourage you to pause, breathe, and create stories shaped by nature. Guided morning nature trails invite you to experience the forest as it awakens, while immersive night nature trails reveal the quieter, more mysterious rhythms of the wilderness after dusk.

Rooted in the belief that nature is the most profound storyteller, the sanctuary brings refined luxury and wilderness into seamless harmony. Every space reflects an eco‑conscious philosophy, immersing you in the soul of the forest while ensuring comfort, warmth, and thoughtful indulgence at every turn.

The resort is built usinf laterite stone, Balinese bamboo and local materials, keeping sustainability and surrounding nature in mind.

Accommodations

The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary is an all-villa property. There are a total of 71 villas spread across eight categories – seven Windchimes Single Floor Villas, 18 Windchimes Duplex Villas, 20 Riverstone Family Villas, one Riverstone 2-bedroom Family Villa, 16 Mistwood Pool Villas, eight ForestLight Luxury Villas and one Sunbeam Presidential Villa.

The Windchimes Single Floor villas are the base category villas spread across 850 square feet while the Windchimes Duplex Villas are spread across 1200 square feet. All the 71 villas feature a signature four-poster bed; a four-piece bathroom with dual-vanity counters, shower cubicle, Jacuzzi bathtub, and wardrobe and restroom areas; a private balcony overlooking the forest; and artwork crafted from reclaimed wood shavings. The Mistwood, Forestlight and Sunbeam villas feature a private temperature-controlled pool.

The Sunbeam Presidential Villa is in a league of its own. Spanning an extraordinary 10,000 square feet, this expansive residence is conceived as a world unto itself. Featuring four bedrooms, each suite houses a bathroom featuring dual vanities, a walk-in shower, a Cleopatra-style round Jacuzzi, and private dressing areas. The villa features a grand living room, a private dining area for up to ten guests, a well-appointed kitchenette, and a poolside bar complemented by a seasonal fireplace.

There’s also a beautiful temperature-controlled swimming pool overlooking the forest, a private gym, a dedicated spa with couple treatment beds, and a leisure lounge with a pool table. The villa comes with its own rould-the-clock butler service and chef service for personalised dining.

Dining

Luma is the resort’s all-day dining restaurant. The word “Luma” takes its name from light. This lakeside restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner, is set against panaromic views of the rolling Kodagu Hills. The menu is rooted in authentic Kodava cuisine, celebrating the flavours of Greater Karnataka, and complemented by refined global comfort favourites.

Zen is a Pan-Asian restaurant “inspired by the timeless philosophy of harmony between flavour, space, and nature”. Set amidst tranquil waters in a lush tropical setting, the menu “celebrates the depth and diversity of Pan-Asian flavours, with thoughtfully crafted dishes that balance taste, texture, and technique”. It features eight private dining gazebos and is open for lunch and dinner.

92 Degrees is the resort’s artisinal coffee lounge & library. By day, it functions as a coffee lounge, offering signature coffee experience, where the baristas guide guests through the journey of coffee from bean to cup. As evening falls, 92 Degrees transforms into a coffee-forward lounge bar, serving inventive coffee-based cocktails.

The Cellar Lounge Bar is a Winchester-style well-stacked bar offering “a perfect backdrop where cocktails are shaken, stirred, and occasionally philosophized over”.

Facilities

Since the resort is this big, it comes with its own set of facilities:

• Aujusya by The Leela Spa with 25 treatment rooms, signature Turkish Hammam and Sauna with dual heating (traditional and infrared)
• Fitness centre
• Vinyasa – lakeside yoga deck
• Ripples – outdoor swimming pool
• A helipad with private arrival access
• Funky Turtle – a 6,000 square feet indoor recreation space
• Furs and Purs, a serene sanctuary home to adopted animals and birds
• Kayaking, catch-and-release fishing and lakeside trails
• Guided cycling trails
• Electric buggies for transportation
• EV charging point

Thoughts

The Leela’s entry into the premium Coorg market marks a shift for the brand. Until now, the brand has focused more on core tourist and business markets, whether it’s the cities of Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru or its presence in Rajasthan or Kerala. This Coorg property signals the brand’s deliberate expansion into hyper-local, experiential leisure and eco-luxury markets, moving beyond their traditional strongholds of major business cities and palace-circuit destinations. The Leela acquired this property – formerly known as Timbertales Coorg – a few weeks ago and has made a few cosmetic changes to reflect The Leela branding all over the resort. I think this resort will fit well within The Leela’s portfolio, with the brand’s philosophy of being unapologetically grand and deeply Indian.

We will see a second property open this year – The Leela Jaisalmer, a Luxury Desert Resort & Spa. While that is a management undertaking of an existing property for the brand and not an acquisition, it signals a shift in The Leela’s strategy, and this is good to see.

Ready to experience the mist-covered hills of Coorg?

The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary offers an incredible escape into nature. Be among the first to experience this incredible property. From securing the best pool villas to arranging private experiences, let us handle every detail of your escape.

Featured image by The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts

All the other images by The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts