Inside StayVista’s Game Plan for India’s Luxury Villa Market
From sell-out holiday weekends to an ambitious five-year expansion plan, StayVista is reshaping how India travels together. Co-founder Amit Damani shares the strategies driving its rise in the luxury villa market.
By Rupali Sebastian
From a single holiday home in Lonavala in 2015 to over 1,000 hand-picked villas, bungalows and holiday homes across 75 destinations today, StayVista has quickly become one of India’s most recognisable names in leisure hospitality. The brand’s rise has been built on a mix of meticulous property curation, attentive on-ground service, and a focus on group-centred travel—whether that’s a family celebration, a friends’ reunion, a corporate retreat or a wedding by the sea.
Recent months have seen StayVista move from strength to strength. A sell-out Independence Day weekend underscored the growing appetite for private, immersive getaways over conventional hotel stays. At a media event in Alibaug earlier this year, co- founders Amit Damani and Pranav Maheshwari outlined an ambitious five-year plan—scaling the portfolio from 1,000 to 7,500 villas, expanding into serviced city stays and luxury glamping, and positioning for a potential IPO within three years. New sub-brands are already in play: Vieda by StayVista for the uber-luxury segment, Veo by StayVista for lean-luxury travellers, and The Vista Collection for one-of-a-kind stays like glamping tents and cabins.
On the urban side, the launch of Vista Residences in New Delhi marks the brand’s foray into boutique city living—designed for business travellers, digital nomads, and longer-stay guests who want the comfort of a home with the service of a hotel. A recruitment drive to add over 1,000 hospitality professionals in FY26 signals how seriously StayVista is investing in on-ground guest experience.
Against this backdrop of growth and diversification, co-founder Amit Damani sat down with SOH (Soul of Hospitality) to discuss the company’s competitive edge, evolving market dynamics, and where he sees India’s villa hospitality sector headed next.
Amit Damani, Co-Founder, StayVista.
Q&A with Amit Damani, Co-Founder, StayVista
StayVista started in 2015 with a single villa and has now scaled to over 1,000 across 75+ destinations. How do you define your market position today compared to other luxury villa rental platforms and global marketplaces?
We’ve positioned ourselves as India’s market leader in villa hospitality, offering fully serviced, curated villas designed for group travellers. Unlike broad global marketplaces, our focus is on delivering a consistent yet personalised experience—complete with meals and immersive in-villa activities. We balance the boutique exclusivity offered by niche luxury villa operators with the tech-enabled convenience seen in large-scale platforms, ensuring seamless booking and operational efficiency. Over the years, we’ve built a strong repeat customer base, attracted celebrities and influencers, and combined scale with quality to become one of the country’s fastest-growing leisure hospitality brands.
With the rapid growth of the luxury villa rental market in India, what differentiates StayVista from other high-end platforms?
Our curation process is exceptionally rigorous—only one in fifty properties makes it into our portfolio. Every home, from heritage retreats to striking architectural builds, is a destination in itself. But the difference goes beyond the walls. We offer attentive, personalised hospitality through professional in-house staff and local teams who make celebrations special and experiences memorable. Our group-centric approach means we cater not just to families and friends, but also to corporates, weddings, and even brands for shoots or events.
While StayVista manages second homes, many platforms operate on a host-driven model. What are the advantages of your fully managed service for homeowners and guests?
For homeowners, it’s entirely hands-off—we manage everything from marketing and bookings to housekeeping and maintenance, ensuring steady earnings and enhanced property value. Our transparent reporting builds trust. For guests, it means curated, high-quality stays, concierge services, customised meals, and memorable touches like bonfires or yoga sessions. Standards are consistent across properties, backed by 24/7 support.
Over the years, have homeowners become more open to the model of renting out private homes?
Yes, mindsets have evolved significantly, particularly after the pandemic. Many high-net- worth individuals are now building or purchasing homes specifically to rent them out, recognising the model’s potential. Others take this route to host guests, maintain their villas, or generate a second income. Our standardised management systems reduce risk and build trust, making the proposition even more appealing.
How do you convince high-net-worth homeowners to list their luxury villas with StayVista instead of keeping them exclusive?
We explain that homes which are rarely used can become harder and more expensive to maintain. Regular, well-managed stays keep the property in better shape, and with us, the operational burden is removed entirely.
Every StayVista home, from heritage retreats to striking architectural builds, is a destination in itself.
We’ve positioned ourselves as India’s market leader in villa hospitality, offering fully serviced, curated villas designed for group travellers. Unlike broad global marketplaces, our focus is on delivering a consistent yet personalised experience—complete with meals and immersive in-villa activities.
Amit Damani
Co-Founder, StayVista
What percentage of your properties are repeat homeowners listing multiple homes versus first-time property partners?
Around 10% of our homeowners have listed more than one property with us, a testament to the confidence they have in our service.
Does StayVista offer any revenue guarantees or fixed rental models for property owners?
No, we don’t offer revenue guarantees or fixed rental models. These homes are not commercial properties but personal spaces meant to be enjoyed. Our goal is to generate enough revenue to help homeowners maintain their villas without overburdening the asset.
How do you ensure quality control across such a large and diverse portfolio?
We have a stringent onboarding process, followed by regular audits and standardised protocols for every aspect of service. Local teams are trained to our benchmarks, guest feedback is monitored closely, and our proprietary technology streamlines operations and maintenance. A centralised support team ensures smooth coordination and prompt issue resolution.
StayVista has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality brands. Could you share your revenue growth in recent years?
We’ve grown from ₹45 crore in 2020 to an expected ₹200 crore in 2025. Around 84% of our revenue comes from villa stays, with the rest from food, beverage, and event management.
Are you focused on profitability or growth?
We’re currently profitable and aim to maintain that balance while expanding. The long-term vision includes a potential IPO in the next three years.
We’ve grown from ₹45 crore in 2020 to an expected ₹200 crore in 2025. Around 84% of our revenue comes from villa stays, with the rest from food, beverage, and event management.
What’s the average booking size, and which types of travel dominate?
Our bookings typically range from 8 to 12 guests. Family getaways are our largest segment, but celebrations and corporate off-sites are growing quickly.
Pet-friendly travel is on the rise. How does StayVista cater to it?
Over 40% of our villas welcome pets. We offer pet beds, tailored meals, and open play areas, and the demand continues to grow.
Which regions are strongest for you, and where are you expanding next?
In the North, Kasauli and Mussoorie perform best; in the West, Alibaug and Goa; in the South, Ooty and Coorg. We’re expanding further into the South and Northeast, and into emerging destinations like Chikmagalur and the Konkan coast.
How do you select new properties for expansion? What factors determine whether a destination is viable for StayVista?
We analyse search volumes to spot cities with high demand, particularly in peak seasons—last year, Chikmagalur topped the list. Accessibility from major metro cities is critical, and we ensure every destination aligns with our brand standards to deliver an exceptional guest experience.
Did the pandemic accelerate your growth?
Absolutely. Privacy and safety became top priorities, and many travellers who discovered villa stays during that time have continued to choose them.
Looking ahead, what’s StayVista’s vision for the next decade?
We aim to become South Asia’s most trusted and loved hospitality brand and India’s largest leisure hospitality company—delivering unmatched experiences across thousands of unique, curated stays.
We aim to become South Asia’s most trusted and loved hospitality brand and India’s largest leisure hospitality company—delivering unmatched experiences across thousands of unique, curated stays.