Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has entered the luxury branded villa segment with the launch of Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Developed in partnership with Amavi, India’s only hospitality-backed real estate brand, the project brings Taj’s luxury hospitality offering into a new category of branded residences.

Spread across a 34-acre estate in the Western Ghats, Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas will feature 32 branded villas alongside a 100-key Taj resort. The development offers views of the surrounding lake and valley and is designed to bring together luxury living, nature and Taj hospitality.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “For over a century, Taj has defined luxury hospitality through its grand palaces, landmark city hotels, safaris and residences. Recognised as the World's Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand and India's Strongest Brand, Taj continues to strengthen its position at the forefront of the luxury hospitality sector. The launch of Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas marks our entry into the branded villa segment, broadening our portfolio to address evolving consumer preferences while bringing the trust, service excellence and legacy of the brand to a new category of luxury real estate.”

The villas take inspiration from contemporary barn-style architecture, with expansive glass façades and spacious verandahs that connect the homes with the surrounding landscape.

A key feature of the development is the two-acre Wabi-Sabi Central Park, inspired by the Japanese philosophy of simplicity and harmony with nature. The wider project will include a Miyawaki forest, nature trails, zen gardens, stargazing decks, golf putting greens, a fitness lawn and multi-purpose sports courts.

Residents will also have access to Club Amavi, which will offer wellness and recreation facilities along with banquet and dining spaces.

The branded villas will be offered for sale through a lease-back programme, with the villas integrated into the resort inventory. Owners will have access to Taj hospitality services including concierge assistance, housekeeping and maintenance, along with the leisure and wellness facilities available at the resort.

Mr. Apurv Kumar, Managing Director, Clarks Group of Hotels and Founder, Amavi, said, “Second homes are bought to create more time, time with family, time in nature and time for oneself. Yet too often, they become another responsibility. At Amavi, our purpose is to change that. Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas brings together the privacy and permanence of a home with the care and service of Taj hospitality. Rooted in the Western Ghats, it also reflects our belief that meaningful development must respect the land and create value for the communities around it. We want Mount Kusur to be not merely a property people own, but a place they return to, belong to and come to.”

The development is also designed around low-density planning, integrated amenities and professionally managed services, giving homeowners the privacy of villa ownership along with the convenience of a luxury resort.

Mr. Sachin Agrawal and Mr. Bajrang Bararia, Founders, Amavi, said, “With Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas, Amavi has sought to create a residential offering that combines design, nature and hospitality. Luxury consumers today are increasingly seeking experiences that combine the privacy of a second home with the services and assurance of a hospitality brand. The project's low-density planning, integrated amenities and professionally managed services are intended to provide homeowners with the privacy of villa ownership and the convenience of a luxury resort. Amavi is pleased to partner with IHCL in bringing this vision to life under the Taj brand.”

Located between Mumbai and Pune, Lonavala is an established leisure destination known for its valleys, lakes and waterfalls. Its connectivity and natural setting have made it popular among leisure travellers, wellness seekers and second-home buyers.

The Taj Mount Kusur project brings together this established destination appeal with branded villa ownership and hotel services, marking a new direction for Taj as it expands its luxury portfolio.

Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced its entry into Chhattisgarh with the launch of Sterling Naman Bastar, Jagdalpur, marking the company's 80th resort in India and the first property in Jagdalpur to operate under a national hospitality brand.

The launch brings renewed attention to Bastar, a relatively under-discovered region known for its waterfalls, forests, caves, tribal culture, traditional crafts and distinctive culinary heritage.

Located on Chitrakote Road, Sterling Naman Bastar is positioned as a hospitality base from which travellers can explore Jagdalpur and the wider Bastar region. The destination offers attractions including Chitrakote and Tirathgarh Falls, Kanger Valley, local tribal haats and Dhokra craftsmanship, along with food traditions influenced by rice, bamboo shoots and forest produce.

Bastar is increasingly accessible to travellers, with Jagdalpur Airport providing direct air connectivity to Hyderabad and Raipur, opening the region to major urban markets and connecting networks.

Spread across approximately 3.21 acres, Sterling Naman Bastar features 45 rooms across five categories, including garden-facing rooms, suites and a private pool villa.

The resort also offers an indoor swimming pool, spa and recreation facilities, while its lawns and banquet spaces are designed to accommodate family holidays, celebrations, destination events and group travel.

The property's dining offering further connects guests with the region's culinary traditions. Amravan, the multi-cuisine vegetarian restaurant, and Little Bites, the resort's café, offer a selection of regional flavours influenced by local ingredients and cooking traditions.

Guests can explore local specialities including Baasta, Angakar Roti, Chaur Bhaja, Farra and Tikhur, adding a culinary dimension to the Bastar experience.

Commenting on the launch, Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said Bastar represents an opportunity to introduce travellers to a destination that combines natural landscapes, cultural heritage and living traditions.

He added that Sterling's role as a "Destination Architect" extends beyond developing hotels to helping travellers understand the reasons to visit emerging destinations and making those destinations easier to experience.

Jayesh Sangani and Rachit Sangani, owners of Sterling Naman Bastar Jagdalpur, a unit of Dishi Resort Pvt. Ltd., said the partnership combines their understanding of the region with Sterling's hospitality expertise, reach and distribution network.

They added that the property aims to establish itself as a preferred base for travellers exploring Jagdalpur and the wider Bastar region.

The launch forms part of Sterling's broader destination-led growth strategy, which focuses not only on expanding its resort network but also on connecting travellers with emerging destinations across India.

In established markets, the company is developing deeper regional travel circuits, while in emerging destinations such as Bastar, its approach focuses on establishing an early hospitality presence and creating greater awareness of the destination.

With its 80th resort, Sterling Holiday Resorts aims to bring Bastar closer to the mainstream traveller while offering visitors a comfortable base to discover the region's landscapes, culture, crafts, cuisine and communities.

About Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited:

Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited is a hospitality company in India with a portfolio spanning more than 66 destinations and over 3,800 operational keys. Its resorts are located across leisure destinations including Alleppey, Amritsar, Anaikatti, Athirappilly, Ayodhya, Badami, Chail, Coorg, Corbett, Darjeeling, Dharamshala, Gangtok, Gir, Goa, Jagdalpur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Kanha, Kasauli, Kodaikanal, Kufri, Lonavala, Manali, Munnar, Mussoorie, Nainital, Ooty, Pench, Puri, Pushkar, Ranthambore, Rishikesh, Sakleshpur, Srinagar, Thekkady, Udaipur, Vellore, Vythiri, Wayanad, Yelagiri and Yercaud.

The company is a 100% independently managed subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Limited and part of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited

Sterling Holiday Resorts has expanded its presence in Uttarakhand with the launch of Sterling Lake View Sattal, adding another destination to its growing Kumaon circuit.  The new 24-room resort brings Sterling's portfolio to 12 resorts in Uttarakhand and 80 resorts across India. Located close to Sattal Lake, the property is set within the quieter lake-and-forest landscape of Kumaon.

Sattal is known for its cluster of seven freshwater lakes, surrounded by forested hills and rich biodiversity. The destination is also popular for its birdlife and offers a slower and more peaceful travel experience compared with some of the region's better-known hill destinations.

Designed around its surroundings, Sterling Lake View Sattal features lake-facing rooms and an intimate setting suited to families, couples and nature enthusiasts. Guests can explore the area through birdwatching, forest walks and other outdoor experiences connected to the landscape.

The resort's location also makes it a convenient base for exploring Bhimtal, Nainital, Kainchi Dham and Naukuchiatal, allowing travellers to discover several parts of the Kumaon region from one stay.

Building a Connected Kumaon Circuit

The Sattal launch reflects Sterling's Destination Architect philosophy, which focuses on understanding what makes each destination special and developing experiences around it, rather than simply adding individual properties.

Speaking on the launch, Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said:

"We increasingly look at expansion through the lens of a Destination Architect. The question is not simply where we can add another hotel, but what is distinctive about a destination, what experiences can be built around it, and how it connects with the larger journeys of our guests.

Sattal is a good example. Its seven lakes, forests and rich biodiversity give it an identity quite different from the more established hill destinations of Kumaon. Sterling Lake View Sattal allows us to bring that character alive through nature, birding and slower travel, while connecting it naturally with Bhimtal, Nainital, Kainchi Dham and the wider Kumaon region.

A resort gives us presence in a destination; a connected circuit gives us relevance across a region. Our ambition is to keep connecting established destinations with emerging micro-markets and give travellers more compelling ways to discover India."

Sterling's network in Uttarakhand already covers destinations linked to mountains, forests, wildlife, rivers, wellness, pilgrimage, adventure and lakes. With Sattal, the company adds another lake-and-forest destination to this network.

The wider Kumaon circuit brings together the hill appeal of Nainital, the lakes of Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal, the spiritual importance of Kainchi Dham and the surrounding forests and mountain landscapes.

A Stay Built Around Sattal

Sterling's approach at the property is centred on making the destination itself an important part of the guest experience. Its lakes, forests, birdlife, local culture and slower pace form the backdrop for the stay.

Guests can take part in nature-led experiences around the resort, while Sattal Bistro, the in-house restaurant, adds to the experience with Sterling's signature warmth and hospitality.

Commenting on the association, Abhijit Agrawal, Partner, Arthouse Hotels LLP, said:

"Sattal has retained a sense of tranquillity that is increasingly rare in the more established hill destinations, and that is precisely what we wanted this resort to preserve. Our association with Sterling brings together the property's unique lake-side setting with the reach and operating expertise of an established hospitality brand. We believe this partnership will help introduce more travellers to Sattal while building the resort as a distinctive nature-led stay in the Kumaon region."

The launch of Sterling Lake View Sattal marks another step in the company's expansion strategy, moving from individual properties towards a network of connected destinations that can offer travellers more ways to explore a region.