The Leela Palace New Delhi opens

The opening of The Leela Palace New Delhi, the first 'green' hotel in India, marks the seventh luxury hotel in India for the Leela Palace group. Located in the heart of the prestigious Diplomatic Enclave, The Leela Palace New Delhi offers luxury on a grand scale. Its 260 rooms and suites are equipped with state-of-the-art technology in spacious rooms (even the smallest is over 500 square feet.) The hotel also features gold-leafed domes, and is fitted with Murano chandeliers from Italy, hand-woven carpets from Turkey and an impressive international art collection. And guests can enjoy relaxing in the  6,500-square-foot spa by ESPA, a heated rooftop infinity pool, a whisky and wine bar and a tea lounge. Along with its décor, the hotel has been built in line with the Gold LEED Certification requirements - an internationally recognized 'green building' certification system which ensures that buildings are as environmentally sustainable and energy efficient as possible. The Leela Palace New Delhi is the first building of its kind in India, with a gas turbine with vapour absorption machines, rain -water harvesting equipment, solar energy application and a sophisticated sewage treatment plant. Guests have five restaurants and lounges to choose from when it comes to dining options. The Oube is a glasshouse with 'live kitchens' where chefs prepare international cuisine right before the eyes of diners. The Jamayar features classic Indian specialties while Megu features modern Japanese food and sushi. The Library Bar is a relaxed lounge bar, while the New York restaurant Le Cirque, set on the 10th floor of the hotel, opens its first restaurant in Asia with its iconic Italian dishes and views of the Chanakyapuri skyline.