The Leela’s Coorg Chapter Begins With Rajesh Namby at the Helm
The hospitality veteran returns to The Leela to helm the brand’s first forest sanctuary in Coorg.
By SOH Edit Team
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has appointed Rajesh Namby as General Manager of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary, its first forest sanctuary and a new addition to the brand’s luxury portfolio.
With more than three decades of experience across luxury hotels, destination resorts, food and beverage and hotel operations, Namby brings both operational depth and a long-standing association with The Leela to the role.
Set across 76 acres of forest in the Western Ghats, The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary is being developed as an immersive retreat shaped by its natural setting. The property will bring together wellness, culinary experiences, nature-led programming and personalised hospitality, drawing from Coorg’s landscape, culture and character while interpreting The Leela’s approach to Indian luxury in a distinctly different setting.
Namby will lead the property and its team, with a focus on shaping the guest experience and establishing the sanctuary as a destination-led expression of the brand.
Leading The Leela’s Next Chapter in Coorg
For Namby, the appointment also marks a return to familiar ground. He began his journey with The Leela at The Leela Palace Bengaluru, progressing through banquet and food and beverage leadership roles before moving to The Leela Palace New Delhi.
He later served as General Manager of The Leela Palace Udaipur. During his tenure, the property reached the No. 1 position on TripAdvisor in India in 2017.
His career has included leadership roles at Raffles Udaipur, The Lodhi New Delhi, Hyatt Regency Kolkata and Hilton Golden Palms Resort & Spa Bengaluru. Earlier in his career with The Leela, he was also associated with the pre-opening of Le Cirque and MEGU at The Leela Palace New Delhi.
Namby said, “It is a privilege to be entrusted with this important chapter in The Leela’s journey. I look forward to working with the team to create experiences that feel deeply personal, meaningful and true to the spirit of Coorg and the values of the brand.”
His appointment comes as The Leela marks 40 years in Indian luxury hospitality, with the Coorg Forest Sanctuary introducing a nature-led dimension to its portfolio. For Namby, the mandate will be to translate the destination’s landscape and cultural character into an experience rooted in The Leela’s philosophy of Indian hospitality.
