Leela Forays Into Kerala

The Leela group has finally ended speculation over the ITDC property in Kovalam by buying it out, thus taking its hotel count to four in the country.

The Leela Kovalam will be the largest beach resort in Kerala with 194 guest rooms and suites. The resort was disinvested 3 years ago by ITDC, which had first opened the property in 1969 heralding India's forage to beach Tourism. The Leela Kovalam Beach resort will offer leisure travellers a new address that redefines service and luxurious accommodations at Kerala's top beach destination.

"Our expansion into Kerala signifies an important strategic move for The Leela Group. Even though there are competing attractive international holiday options, Kerala continues to be a big attraction for international visitors. With Ayurveda and Wellness thriving, and backwater tourism gaining in popularity, it is the ideal time, therefore, to re-establish beach tourism's once pre-eminent position and also to introduce the Leela brand in God's own Country," said Capt. C P Krishnan Nair, chairman, Hotel Leela Venture Ltd.

Conveniently located just 15 kms from Thiruvananthapuram airport, The Leela Kovalam Beach is spread across numerous acres of the sprawling 1.50 km beachfront. The Resort sits perched on a cliff top, cradled between two wide, sweeping beaches. It offers a stunning view of the famed Kovalam coastline and the coconut orchards beyond.

Being India's first and Kerala's largest beach resort, it has undergone a complete renovation programme in the last two years costing approximately Rs 500 million (US$11.60 million), which includes the Beach-view wing, designed originally by renowned Mumbai based architect Charles Correa. All 88-guest rooms, a new Lobby, the infinity ocean-edge Pool, The Café, bar and the Conference rooms have a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and the lush Kovalam coastline.

An additional investment of approximately Rs 200 million (US$ 4.65m) is underway for the Sea-view wing, which will be the premium 'The Club' at The Leela, Kovalam, in line with 'The Club' at The Leela, Goa. The Club designed by the renowned American architect Carl Ettensperger, will be exclusive to Club guests and will contain the Maharaja Suite, Deluxe Suites and 66 Club rooms and suites as well as an array of superlative restaurants and lounges, Library and Spa. "On total completion by December 2005 The Leela Kovalam Beach will undoubtedly rival The Leela, Goa, which has been the undisputed market leader amongst beach resorts ever since it opened in 1991,” said Vivek Nair, vice chairman and managing director, Hotel Leela Venture Ltd.

Nair further added, "Beach tourism in Kerala has not realised its true potential of attracting up-market tourists in spite of the pioneering effort made in 1969 with the opening of the Kovalam resort. This is especially so due to the marketing thrust given by Kerala tourism to backwater tourism in recent times. In the process, beach tourism, which commands an average stay of 10-14 days from guests as opposed to 2 days average stay in case of backwater tourism, has lost out. Also, the lack of large sized resorts of 200 rooms and above to cover the requirements of large tour operators and charter agents have compounded the woes."

The Conference centre with a capacity of about 900 persons theatre style and a pre-function area of 6,350 square feet/590 square meters and other meeting rooms totalling over 6,000 square feet/550 square meters constitute a function space totalling to about 25000 sq.ft. / 2350 sq. meters thus making it one of the largest venue in the State for conferences, incentives and exhibitions.

The hallmark of the property is the signature Ayurveda and Wellness Spa. Seven therapeutic treatment rooms including a naturally ventilated foot massage pavilion, large and tranquil yoga rooms with immediate access to the beach sets the Spa apart.

Nair states, "The Leela has established a leadership position in the luxury hotel and resort industry by offering premier locations, elegant facilities and personalised service to the world's most discerning travellers. Each of the four properties is unique in design, character and ambience and is market leaders in each of the destinations they operate in."