BY ARUSHI SAKHUJA Homestays are increasing their share of the pie in the hospitality market Home away from home Vacations and getaways are predominantly getting a new meaning with the rising culture of homestays mushrooming across the nation. Recreating the aura of a warm home that almost feels your own, tourists and locals are finding themselves increasingly attracted to the idea of simple living with home-cooked meals minus the frills and fancy luxury hotels offer. But that isn’t to say that a large section of the clientele still enjoys the luxuries and comforts the five and seven-star hotels and resorts offer. Until a few years ago, luxury hotels, with their opulent interiors, Michelin-star cuisines and impeccable services, have been the mainstay of high-end hospitality for decades. However today, luxury homestays are now coming of age in India. While not replacing luxury hotels, instead offering experiences that are more bespoke and steeped in history. “Heritage properties are steeped in centuries of culture, and in the post covid era, I believe the Indian traveller is more keen on discovering all the different aspects of it,” quoted Shambhavi Singh, Director at Royal Heritage Havel. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that the idea of homestays grew more popular with the coming in of the pandemic, but it has continued to exist even thereafter. “The reason for this evolution has happened due to hybrid work models post-Covid wherein work from anywhere or work from home has become a reality,” said Jyant Singh, Founder & Managing Partner, TreeHouse Hotels & Resorts. Is the allure of finding a home away from home? Or simply being able to live in the moment and enjoy the smaller joys of life? What has been the major reason for the phenomenal growth. Be it a small cottage or a large bungalow, many HNIs today are converting their holiday homes to revenue assets in the name of homestays. High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) are increasingly investing in exclusive properties, both globally and within India opines Devendra Parulekar, Founder of SaffronStays. “The choice of locations for HNI property acquisitions is diverse, ranging from the serene beauty of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Goa to the bustling locales near Mumbai and Pune, including Karjat, Lonavala, and the sought-after Alibaug – often referred to as the Hamptons of Mumbai.” SaffronStays Nandanwan Estate, Kodaikanal 28|LUXEBOOK |MAR/APR 2024 MAR/APR 2024 |LUXEBOOK|29 HOMES VS HOTELS
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