The concept of homestays has gained immense popularity in recent years, especially in the post-pandemic era. Travellers today are moving away from standardized hotels, seeking private, immersive stays that offer a blend of comfort and authenticity. Whether it’s a cosy villa by the beach, a hillside retreat, or an elegant city escape, homestays provide a level of privacy and personalization that hotels often cannot match. Curated and tailormade experiences, locally sourced food, privacy, and even a brush with history are becoming the hallmarks of luxury homestays in India.
Luxury travel in India is undergoing a transformation, moving beyond conventional five-star hotels to embrace more personalized and exclusive experiences. At the forefront of this shift is StayVista, a brand that has mastered the art of offering indulgent yet intimate villa stays. It all began over three cups of green tea and a big idea. Amit Damani, Ankita Sheth, and Pranav Maheshwari co-founders of StayVista set out with a vision to transform the luxury homestay experience in India. What started as a dream has now evolved into one of the country’s leading hospitality brands, known for its personalised and exclusive villa stays.
From its early days as Vista Rooms to its rebranding as StayVista, the company has undergone a remarkable journey. Each milestone has strengthened its position as a brand that stands for comfort, premium service, and thoughtfully curated experiences. From handpicked local activities and personalised welcome gestures to bespoke activity recommendations, StayVista ensures every stay is memorable. With an extensive network of over 750 properties, StayVista offers flexibility to accommodate various budget ranges without compromising quality.
Amit Damani, Ankita Sheth, and Pranav Maheshwari, Co-founders of StayVista
Co-founder of StayVista, Amit Damani, who has been instrumental in shaping India’s homestay landscape, highlights this evolution, "Travelers today seek more than just premium amenities—they crave privacy, authenticity, and curated experiences. The new definition of luxury is about seamless service in a space that feels personal, yet extraordinary."
This shift has fueled the demand for fully serviced private homes, where guests can enjoy breathtaking views, contemporary interiors, dedicated caretakers, and bespoke F&B offerings, all without the constraints of a traditional hotel. StayVista’s villas, which feature private pools, tranquil settings, and curated local experiences, perfectly align with this trend.
A Shift in Traveller Profiles
The brand’s success lies in its ability to cater to a diverse set of travellers. Families looking for intimate reunions, friends celebrating milestones, corporate teams hosting offsites, and millennials planning boutique getaways all find their ideal escape within StayVista’s portfolio. With an audience primarily between 27 to 45 years old from urban centres, the brand has tapped into a growing segment that values experience-driven stays over standardized luxury. "Whether it’s a wedding celebration, a workation, or a birthday retreat, we see travellers choosing villas for their ability to blend comfort, exclusivity, and personalized service," says Damani.
The New Luxury: Personalization, Privacy, and Local Flavour
Post-pandemic, luxury travel has taken on a more meaningful and immersive approach. Guests no longer seek opulence for the sake of it; instead, they prioritize exclusivity, safety, and unique experiences. The homestay boom, as observed by Damani, is not just about finding an alternative to hotels but about creating tailored memorable moments. "Luxury today is about curated simplicity, think intimate sit-down dinners under the stars, bonfires with live music, and menus crafted by local chefs," he notes.StayVista has actively embraced this ethos by collaborating with local artisans, chefs, and wellness experts. Guests can enjoy traditional Maharashtrian delicacies, live pizza stations, or in-villa spa services by professional masseuses, all while supporting the local economy. " we actively engage with the local community to enhance our villa experiences. We recruit and train local residents as caretakers and butlers, collaborate with renowned chefs and home cooks to curate menus featuring authentic Maharashtrian and tropical delicacies and serve welcome drinks such as coconut water and sol kadhi. Additionally, we partner with professional local masseuses to offer in-villa massage services and with select restaurants to provide live pizza stations and other exclusive dining experiences."
Another major trend reshaping the industry is the rise of workations and bleisure travel—a segment StayVista has tapped into with high-speed internet, ergonomic workspaces, and tranquil locations that seamlessly blend work with leisure. "The shift to remote work has directly influenced long-stay bookings. More professionals and corporate teams are choosing our villas for extended workations and offsites, seeking an environment that fosters both productivity and relaxation," shares Damani.
The Future of Experiential Hospitality
Looking ahead, Damani is most excited about the industry's move toward experiential and sustainable travel. "Travelers are looking for more than just a place to stay—they want to engage, experience, and connect. At StayVista, we are crafting villas that offer mindful, immersive stays, setting new standards for luxury hospitality," he says.
With a strong foothold in the Indian market, StayVista is now setting its sights on Southeast Asia and the Middle East, regions witnessing a surge in demand for group travel and private villa experiences. This expansion aligns with the brand’s mission to redefine luxury through curated, immersive stays.
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