Hotel Leela Venture Ltd.

Overview :

Founded in 1957 by Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair, the Rs.450 crore Leela Group is engaged in the business of ready-made garments and luxury hotels and resorts.

Background :
Behind every institution lies the vision of an individual. In Capt. Nair's case, this vision has flowered, given his unshakeable belief in India's ability to compete with the best in the world as an equal. This belief, forged to a large extent during Capt. Nair's early years as a freedom fighter in India's fight for Independence, finds expression in each of the group's endeavors.

Leela Lace Ltd.
It was in 1957 when Capt. Nair, after completing his stint in the army, set up a small industrial unit in suburban Mumbai. Inspired by the handloom weaving industry in Cannanore, Kerala, this was the Leela Scottish Lace Ltd., India's first and only lace manufacturing plant.

With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Leela Lace Ltd. grew from a small beginning to become the first company to introduce the "Bleeding Madras" fabric and other handlooms such as Cheese Cloth and gauze fabric to the fasion capitals of the west, specifically the USA. Their runaway success was reflected in the magic words "Guaranteed to bleed", which became the key to the popularity of India's textile export.

In the early 70's, the company launched its ready-made garments unit and is today, India's premier export house. Since the 80's, the client list of Leela Lace reads like the veritable who's who of the American fashion industry : The Gap, Liz Claiborne, Polo Jeans, Tommy Hilfiger, JC Penney, Macy's, Van Heusen, Walmart…..

Mr. Dinesh Nair, the present Managing Director of Leela Lace Ltd., took over from his father Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair, in the early 80's. After consolidating the the company's position, he shifted his focus to the American woven sportswear market with a continuous emphasis on fast turnaround and big volumes. Rapid growth has been the result, and has made Leela Lace the largest garment exporter from India to the USA.

Today Leela Lace has 20 factories with state of the art equipment – 10 in Bangalore, 5 in Chennai and 5 in Mumbai, with an annual turnover of US$ 75 million. It is Leela Lace Ltd., the parent company, which is the promoter of Hotel Leelaventure Ltd.

Hotel Leela Venture Ltd.
The Leela Kempinski Mumbai and The Leela Kempinski Goa are two of the best hotels in India, and have also won considerable international acclaim. For this to have been achieved in 12 short years is nothing short of remarkable.

In fact, The Leela Kempinski Mumbai has received many rewards for being the best 5 star deluxe hotel in India, and The Leela Kempinski Goa voted the best luxury beach resort in India.

Recently in 2001 Capt. Nair fulfilled his longstanding dream of constructing a palace hotel in the garden city of Bangalore. The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore is built in art deco style recreating the grandeur of The Mysore Maharajas Palace. It is set amidst 8 acres of landscaped garden and waterfalls. It is a palace with the heart of a modern hotel. Its 254 rooms are opulently furnished and are befitting royalty.

The newest addition The Leela Kovalam is Kerala's largest resort, built on a rock face cradled between two wide sweeping beaches with a stunning view of the famous Kovalam coastline.

Achieving these levels of excellence has been the result of a three pronged business strategy, best described in the words of Capt. Nair.

Fundamental to our business is the all pervasive Indian tradition of hospitality. Secondly, we honour the cultural heritage of India. Lastly, we operate on the basis of world class technology, backed up fully by the commitment of the staff.