The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, India's premier homegrown luxury hospitality brand, has introduced The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary as the new identity for its recently acquired retreat in Coorg. The refreshed branding highlights the property's remarkable location within 76 acres of lush forests, coffee plantations, and the ecologically rich Western Ghats, while reinforcing The Leela's commitment to developing luxury destinations that are inspired by and connected to their natural surroundings.

Celebrating four decades of offering authentic Indian luxury, The Leela welcomes The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary into its distinguished collection of palaces, hotels, and resorts. Positioned as one of the brand's most immersive nature-focused retreats, the sanctuary is designed to place the surrounding forest at the heart of every guest experience. Rather than simply providing accommodation, the property encourages visitors to disconnect from everyday routines and embrace the tranquillity of nature through refined hospitality, personalised wellness, and meaningful cultural experiences.

Renowned for its pristine forests, historic coffee plantations, and vibrant Kodava traditions, Coorg has emerged as one of India's most sought-after luxury leisure destinations. The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary embodies the brand's philosophy of creating experiences that are deeply connected to the local environment, allowing guests to engage with the destination in an authentic and immersive manner.

Located within one of Coorg's oldest coffee estates, the IGBC Platinum-certified retreat has been thoughtfully planned to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. Influenced by Kodava culture, plantation living, and the rhythms of the forest, the property's contemporary architecture incorporates regional craftsmanship while preserving the natural landscape. Guests are welcomed by mist-covered mornings, melodious birdsong, and ever-changing forest vistas that become an integral part of their stay.

Speaking on the occasion, Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said that the unveiling of The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary marks another significant step in the brand's vision of creating exceptional destinations inspired by their locations. He noted that as The Leela expands across India's most iconic destinations, the new sanctuary reflects the belief that genuine luxury is created by celebrating the identity, culture, and environment of a place rather than merely occupying it.

The retreat features 71 elegantly designed villas, including duplex residences, family villas, and private pool villas. At the pinnacle of the accommodation offerings is the four-bedroom Sunbeam Presidential Villa, an exclusive residence that provides panoramic views of the surrounding forest landscape.

Guests can enjoy a carefully curated selection of experiences that showcase Coorg's natural beauty and cultural richness. Activities include guided walks through the forest, coffee plantation tours, birdwatching excursions, waterfall visits, cycling trails, and stargazing under clear night skies, offering an opportunity to appreciate the region's biodiversity and relaxed pace of life.

Dining at the retreat reflects the culinary heritage of the destination. Luma serves seasonal cuisine in a picturesque lakeside setting, while Zen offers an elegant selection of Pan-Asian specialities. Guests can also relax at The Cellar, discover Coorg's renowned coffee traditions at 92 Degrees, or participate in the Estate to Brew experience, which combines plantation walks, coffee tastings, and engaging storytelling that traces the region's centuries-old coffee legacy.

At the centre of the property lies a serene seven-acre lake, complemented by a private helipad that provides convenient access for travellers from across India. Wellness is a defining aspect of the retreat through Aujasya by The Leela, the brand's signature wellness philosophy inspired by India's ancient healing traditions. Housed within a 27,000-square-foot wellness facility, along with outdoor therapy spaces and the Vinyasa Yoga Deck overlooking the lake, guests can experience personalised treatments, yoga sessions, mindfulness practices, and nature-inspired therapies designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation.

The Leela Coorg Forest Sanctuary further strengthens the brand's vision of creating distinctive luxury destinations that honour India's diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and traditions. With a portfolio of 24 operational and upcoming hotels across major gateway cities and leading leisure destinations, The Leela continues to set new benchmarks in Indian luxury hospitality by offering experiences that are deeply connected to their surroundings and leave lasting impressions on every guest.

Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, has shared early insights from its forthcoming 2026 Summer Travel Index, highlighting the most popular and emerging destinations for U.S. travelers.

The findings show a strong preference for East Coast beach locations, with Myrtle Beach topping domestic search trends. These easy-to-reach seaside spots appeal to families, offering a wide range of activities—from water parks and beach развлечения to cultural attractions and local entertainment suited to all age groups. On the international front, Mexico and Caribbean destinations remain highly favored, with Cancun holding its position as the leading summer destination for the third consecutive year. Its appeal includes exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities, along with access to renowned cultural landmarks.

Travel choices also vary across major U.S. holiday weekends. For Memorial Day, travelers are opting for short getaways to places like Anaheim, California, and Orange Beach, Alabama. Meanwhile, Independence Day plans lean toward popular beach destinations such as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Clearwater, Florida.

Summer Travel Index 2026: Top Destinations
Search data reflects a mix of classic beach retreats and well-known urban hubs. Myrtle Beach leads the list, joined by several Florida coastal destinations. At the same time, iconic cities like New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas remain highly sought after. Internationally, Cancun ranks first among U.S. travelers, followed by Paris and London, underscoring continued interest in Europe’s cultural centers.

Top Domestic Destinations (U.S. Travelers):
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
New York, New York
Chicago, Illinois
Las Vegas, Nevada
Ocean City, Maryland
Key West, Florida
Panama City Beach, Florida
Seattle, Washington
Clearwater, Florida
Nashville, Tennessee

Top International Destinations (U.S. Travelers):
Cancun, Mexico
Paris, France
London, United Kingdom
Rome, Italy
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Barcelona, Spain
Palm–Eagle Beach, Aruba
Vancouver, Canada
Oranjestad, Aruba

Fastest-Growing Destinations (Year-over-Year)
Comparative data indicates rising interest in Florida beach towns and Caribbean islands, alongside increased exploration of destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.

Trending Domestic Locations:
Orlando, Florida
Longboat Key, Florida
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Baltimore, Maryland
Charlotte, North Carolina

Trending International Locations:
Green Island, Jamaica
The Bight Settlement, Turks and Caicos
Kyushu, Japan
Bilbao, Spain
Tropea, Italy

Memorial Day Travel Trends
Search patterns for Memorial Day highlight growing interest in destinations like St. Pete Beach and Orange Beach, as well as culturally rich cities such as Rome and Toronto. Anaheim is also gaining attention as a top choice for extended weekend trips, thanks to attractions like Disneyland Park.

Top Trending Domestic (Memorial Day):
Anaheim, California
Orange Beach, Alabama
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Reno, Nevada
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Top Trending International (Memorial Day):
Rome, Italy
Toronto, Canada
Porto, Portugal
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

4th of July Travel Trends
For Independence Day, travelers are gravitating toward coastal destinations like Virginia Beach and Panama City Beach, as well as entertainment-driven locations such as Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, home to Dollywood Theme Park.

Top Trending Domestic (4th of July):
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Clearwater, Florida
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Panama City Beach, Florida

Top Trending International (4th of July):
Rome, Italy
Bavaro, Dominican Republic
Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Palm–Eagle Beach, Aruba
Oranjestad, Aruba

Summer Experiences and Activities
Travelers this summer are focusing on thoughtfully curated experiences. Cultural and heritage tours are the most popular, followed by outdoor and adventure activities that offer immersive ways to explore destinations.

Popular Experiences Include:

Methodology
These insights are based on Tripadvisor’s first-party behavioral data, analyzing searches conducted by travelers in the U.S. and U.K. between February 1 and April 10, 2026, for trips scheduled between June 1 and August 31, 2026.