Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
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Sameer Mutreja
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Scapes Realty India has formed a partnership with EPI[K]UREAN hospitality to launch India’s first high-end villa hotel or Villotel in Siolim, Goa. The JV will be called EPI[K]UREAN Amala. “We want to start a Villotel branded chain. We will be managing the property like a five-star hotel. Guests can book a spacious villa with bedrooms, each on a separate floor,” said Sameer Mutreja, director, Scapes Realty. Talking about the JV with EPI[K]UREAN hospitality, he added, “We wanted to partner with a chain who had the expertise to manage boutique properties, we needed a specialist.” After Goa the company is looking at Shimla, Mysore, Alwar and later also Kerala. Another project in Goa is a holistic wellness resort in a villa complex.
Renting a villa for holidays is very popular in Europe, Florida and California. The company aims to change the way Indians holiday through its chain of Villotels. “The reason why people do not hire villas in India is because it is not branded. When we go on a holiday to Koh Samui or Phuket, we get different options. In India it is either a five- star hotel or a three-star/ two-star property. There is nothing else branded in the country. The problem in that space is that you pay Rs 20,000 in a holiday village and you get a 400 sq feet space, that is the only private area. The rest are all common areas,” stated Mutreja.
A guest who hires a villa gets a private pool, private spa and of course a private butler. Every villa comes with a private elevator. You can also choose a chef of your choice. Each villa will have racks of wine, branded crockery, etc. There will also be a wellness cafe in the complex. The cafe will serve detox juices, fruits, dishes made with organic vegetables, etc. “We are planning to do many wellness retreats. It is going to run like a proper resort but around the main concept will be wellness,” informed Mutreja.
To be completed in 2015, the first project in Goa includes 14 villas, total number of keys is 43. Every guest has to rent a villa, which are of different sizes. “It is a win-win for everyone. The buyer of a villa now owns a part of the hotel and gets 50 per cent of the gross operating profit. The person who rents it gets an exclusive place,” pointed out Mutreja. The buyers instead of using their own villas can enjoy a holiday in EPI[K]UREAN villas in Koh Samui or Vietnam.
