EkoStay has entered the second-home real estate segment with the launch of Eko Estates, a new vertical offering freehold villas in the Western Ghats, combining property ownership with professionally managed holiday rentals. Its first portfolio comprises six villas in Kawnai, Igatpuri, with prices ranging from ₹2.75 crore to ₹4.80 crore.

The launch introduces two ownership and management arrangements: an Assured Agreement for buyers seeking contracted rental income and a Private Use option for those who prioritise personal access to their holiday homes.

EkoStay, which operates more than 175 villas and has eight years of experience in the holiday-home rental market, will build and manage the properties on behalf of owners. The company says the new vertical draws on its existing operating experience and the performance of properties it already manages in Igatpuri.

Two Ownership Options: Rental Income or Private Use

Under the Assured Agreement, Eko Estates offers owners a contracted rental yield of up to 10% per annum of the purchase price, with payments credited by the 10th of every month for 48 months. According to the company, payments are due irrespective of whether the villa is occupied or vacant, placing the occupancy risk on the operating company during the agreement period.

The rental rate is fixed at the time of signing and calculated against the purchase price rather than the property's assessed value. Owners under this arrangement retain 24 weekday nights annually for personal use.

EkoStay says the rental payments will be made by Ekostay LLP, the operating entity behind its existing managed portfolio, rather than an entity established exclusively for the new project.

The second option, Private Use, is intended for buyers who want unrestricted access to their property. It comes without a fixed rental commitment or lock-in period, allowing owners to use their villas throughout the year. Eko Estates can host guests and generate rental revenue through a revenue-sharing arrangement when owners are away. Buyers can also move to the Assured Agreement at a later stage.

The company states that the property title remains the same under both arrangements, with each villa registered as a freehold property in the buyer's name, including the underlying land.

Six Villas in Kawnai, Igatpuri

The initial portfolio comprises six villas located in Kawnai, Igatpuri, at an elevation of approximately 600 metres above sea level. Two villas are ready for possession, while the remaining four are scheduled for handover between February and April 2027.

Each villa measures approximately 3,000–3,500 sq. ft. (confirm exact area if available) and comes with a private pool, staff quarters, water source and storage, power backup, covered parking, lawn, deck, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The company says these features are included in the standard offering rather than being sold as optional upgrades.

Eko Estates states that the properties have clear freehold titles, with the 7/12 land records and non-agricultural (NA) orders available for inspection. It also says each project comprises fewer than eight units and falls within the exemption provisions cited under MahaRERA Order 25A/2023.

Igatpuri's Monsoon Appeal

EkoStay says its existing operations in Igatpuri influenced the choice of location for the first Eko Estates portfolio. The company points to the region's monsoon tourism demand, noting that August is among its peak booking months.

The villas have been planned around their natural surroundings, with design and construction considerations including drainage, waterproofing, ventilation and materials suited to the region's seasonal rainfall.

The location is approximately 150 kilometres from Mumbai, with a road journey of around three hours and 40 minutes via the Mumbai–Nashik highway and Kasara Ghat. Igatpuri railway station is around 20 minutes away, with the company arranging transfers for owners and guests.

The company also says non-resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India can purchase the properties under the applicable general permissions for residential property, subject to eligibility and regulatory requirements.

Founders on the New Venture

Varun Arora, Co-Founder, EkoStay, said the company's experience managing holiday homes had informed its approach to the new offering.

"Your capital is almost certainly earning less than you think. We've run other people's holiday homes for eight years and we know what they actually earn, and what a Mumbai apartment or a commercial unit earns next to them. A rental that's contracted and lands on the 10th of every month, full house or empty house, is a different thing from a projection in a brochure. That certainty is what someone is buying. The villa is the thing it comes attached to."

Husain Khatumdi, Co-Founder, EkoStay, said the first villas in the portfolio had originally been developed for hospitality operations and had been hosting guests for more than a year.

"The first villas in this portfolio were built to be run, not to be sold, and they've been hosting EkoStay guests for over a year. Every house here starts from its plot: where the light falls, where the hills sit, how the rain moves across the land. The rooms open to the view and the pools face the valley. We're putting our name on the construction because we're the ones who'll be living with it, every weekend, for the next four years."

Sohail Mirchandani, COO and Co-Founder, EkoStay, highlighted documentation and property-title clarity as important considerations in the second-home market.

"Most of what goes wrong with a house in the Ghats is paperwork. Agricultural land sold as if it were buildable, a title that doesn't survive a bank's checklist, a return that was never more than a projection. We've removed all of it. Clear and marketable freehold title, the NA order in hand, the 7/12 extract on the table before anyone asks, and a rental paid by the same entity that runs 175 villas. If a buyer's lawyer wants a week with our documents, that's exactly what we'd want."

Zishan Khan, Co-Founder, EkoStay, said the two arrangements were developed to address different buyer priorities.

"Buyers at this level split cleanly into two groups, and forcing them into one product loses half of them. Some want income, some want weekends. So we run two options, and the second one still lets the house earn. You own the villa outright either way. The only thing that changes is who runs the house, and how it earns while you're not in it."

Site Visits and Further Information

Site visits to the Eko Estates portfolio in Igatpuri are now open. The company is arranging pickups from Igatpuri railway station for prospective buyers and guests.

Further details are available at www.ekoestates.com.

About Eko Estates

Eko Estates is the second-home development vertical of EkoStay, building freehold villas in Igatpuri, including Kawnai and Vihigaon, and managing them on behalf of owners. Its offerings include the Assured Agreement, with a contracted rental arrangement, and Private Use, which allows unrestricted personal access with revenue-sharing rentals when owners are away.

About EkoStay

EkoStay is an Indian homestay and villa rental brand with more than 175 villas under management and eight years of operating experience across weekend getaway destinations. The company was founded by Varun Arora, Husain Khatumdi, Sohail Mirchandani and Zishan Khan. More information is available at www.ekostay.com.

Amã Stays & Trails, the premium homestay brand from Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), has opened its 200th bungalow with the launch of Villa Maya in Alibaug, Maharashtra. The private retreat combines contemporary design, spacious interiors and nature-inspired surroundings, adding another property to the brand's growing portfolio of leisure stays across India.

Commenting on the milestone, Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President, Select Service Business, IHCL, said, “Private stays have emerged as an important segment within India's leisure travel landscape, driven by changing guest preferences and a growing demand for more personalized getaways. amã Stays & Trails addresses this opportunity through a collection of bungalows that celebrate the individuality of each location. As the brand opens its 200th bungalow, it reflects the scale and diversity of its footprint across the country. Villa Maya's addition to the portfolio reinforces our commitment to offering guests unhurried stay experiences in sought-after leisure destinations.”

A Private Retreat Surrounded by Nature

Set within expansive landscaped grounds, Villa Maya is a four-bedroom bungalow designed for families and groups seeking a private getaway. Large windows allow natural light into the interiors, while wooden accents add warmth to the living spaces.

The property features a private swimming pool for leisurely afternoons and a poolside gazebo that offers a relaxed setting for conversations and gatherings. Its dining experience includes a curated multi-cuisine selection, complemented by a traditional Maharashtrian thali.

Personalised Experiences for Leisure Stays

Villa Maya offers a range of experiences designed around relaxation, dining and spending time together. Guests can enjoy picnics on the property's green lawns, barbecue evenings under the open sky and candlelit dinners arranged for special occasions.

The opening marks a milestone for Amã Stays & Trails as demand for private accommodation and personalised leisure experiences continues to shape India's travel landscape. With Villa Maya, the brand adds another destination for travellers seeking spacious accommodation, flexible dining experiences and a slower pace of travel in Alibaug.

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of Lemon Tree Hotel, Sirhind, a 76-room property in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district. The hotel will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited.

The upcoming property will feature 76 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant, banquet hall, meeting and conference room, swimming pool, spa, fitness centre and other public areas. It aims to cater to pilgrims, leisure travellers, business guests and transit visitors by bringing accommodation, dining, wellness and event facilities under one roof.

Sirhind is known for its historical, cultural and religious heritage. Its connectivity to Chandigarh and nearby commercial hubs makes it a destination for travellers visiting the region's historical landmarks and cultural attractions, as well as those travelling for business.

Commenting on the signing, Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, President, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., said, “Our growing presence in Punjab reflects the diverse opportunities the state offers across business, religious tourism and leisure. Sirhind’s rich religious and historical heritage, coupled with its regional connectivity, makes it a compelling addition to Lemon Tree Hotels network. With four operational hotels and 10 upcoming properties in the state, we continue to build a portfolio that responds to the distinct demand drivers of each destination.”

The hotel will also have access to key transport links. Sirhind Junction is approximately 3.5 km from the property, while Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh is around 45 km away. With this signing, Lemon Tree Hotels continues to expand its presence in Punjab, where it currently has four operational hotels and 10 upcoming properties, according to the company.