India, Aug. 18 -- It's not every day you arrive at a hotel and feel like you've stepped into another world. But that's exactly what happened when I first saw The Leela Palace Chennai. Perched along the Coromandel Coast, quietly overlooking the Bay of Bengal, it struck me as more than just a luxury stay-it felt like walking into a story.

Design with A Soul From left: The Royal Club offers enhanced privacy with dedicated check-in, exclusive lounge access, and curated amenities; inspired by Chettinad palaces, the hotel features over 300 rooms and suites. Inspired by the majestic Chettinad palaces of Tamil Nadu, the architecture is ornate yet grounded, expansive yet intimate. The corridors are lined with curated Indian art that don't scream ...