The Leela Palace Bengaluru

Beautiful hotel, fantastic speakeasy

Service was a let-down given all the hype. Cant beat the Oberoi!

Nice hotel and good staff

Nathaniel served me during Hi tea at the lounge..which was great. Thank you! Nathaniel went above and beyond to make me feel welcome.

I stayed at The Leela Palace Bengaluru recently for a work trip and honestly, it blew me away. Yes, the place is stunning and full of luxury, but what really made it special was the people. I’ve never experienced hospitality quite like this. From the moment I arrived, I must have heard “Namaste” a hundred times and each one felt genuine. Whether it was someone cleaning the hallway, tending the garden, or working at reception, they always paused and greeted me with a smile. That sort of warmth isn’t something you come across often. The hotel itself feels like something out of a royal dream. Beautiful architecture, lush gardens, waterfalls, and even a bunch of Merlion statues from Singapore, which I found out were gifted for their green efforts. I joined one of their morning hotel tours and the staff member leading it was so enthusiastic and proud. It was infectious. Now, the food. I had breakfast, lunch, and dinner there most days, and everything was so good. Even just sampling a spoon of each dish from the buffet left me full, but I couldn’t stop going back for more. My stomach was full, but my brain kept saying just a little more. The flavours and variety were just incredible. One evening I spent time in their Library Bar. It’s classy, quiet, and has this old-school charm that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. I didn’t go for the expensive whiskeys but spent the evening sipping sparkling water and soaking in the dreamy atmosphere. And tucked inside the hotel is a real hidden gem called ZLB 23. It’s a Kyoto-inspired speakeasy bar that feels like a well-kept secret. The vintage decor and moody lighting give it a totally different vibe. I found out later that it’s actually recognised as one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Whether you’re into mocktails or just enjoy beautiful and intimate spaces, ZLB 23 is something special. There’s also live music every day. A flautist plays every morning between 7 and 10 am, and it’s such a calming way to start the day. I would just sit there for ten minutes with a cup of tea and listen. It was peaceful, grounding, and completely blissful. In the evenings, there’s a pianist who brings a lovely elegance to the lobby area. The music creates a soothing atmosphere that really elevates the whole experience. I did have quite a few niggles during my stay. My initial room was a bit noisy, one of my spa sessions had a delay, and there were a couple of small mix-ups ***** the way. But what really stood out was how the hotel handled them. Rose, a member of the staff, personally followed up on each issue with genuine care and made sure I was looked after. As an apology, they sent a handwritten note, sweet treats to my room, and even a gift of Leela’s signature incense sticks. It was thoughtful, sincere, and made me feel truly valued as a guest. I also booked a two-hour spa session with a mud wrap, cream wrap, and a full massage. It was heavenly. The steam room wasn’t working at first but the staff sorted