What is a holiday without a dip in the pool? The splash in the clear and clean water of the pool is delicious and adds magic to your holiday. Know more about the top trending options of pool villas in upscale resorts and holiday homes throughout the country
By Namrata Kohli
Harpreet Singh from Chandigarh visited Aahana-The Corbett Wilderness resort at Jim Corbett in June 2024 and says- “We stayed in a sprawling jungle villa with four bedrooms but the centre point was the pool. All the latest amenities were there in the pool such as in-built jacuzzi, hydrotherapy bed. We even had a nanny room outside the villa, a small cottage with an attached toilet bath which can accommodate up to two helpers. The bathroom has a bathtub with in built air spa and all luxurious amenities. But the best part was that each villa is equipped with a dedicated heritage host who caters to every need, from maintaining the private pool to arranging bespoke experiences and our host organized a pool party for us.”
Aahana launched five pool villas in its community in March 2024 and they are always booked in advance. According to Ayu Tripathi, Director of Aahana-The Corbett Wilderness, “Over the years we have seen that our jungle villas have been performing really well, we see more and more families and friends traveling together as a group and that is why we came up with the concept of four-bedroom Private pool villas. In all of north India there are few hotels/resorts who have come up with exclusive private pool rooms but there is no such luxurious accommodation available for families traveling together. We wanted to create a luxurious private space for families who wanted to travel together, enjoy all experiences within the resort but also have a private space with all facilities to spend quality time with family.” A lot of their guests call to enquire about these villas while those who have booked request for an upgrade to pool villas. She adds – “It’s only been a few months since the launch however this we see as becoming the best-selling product within our premises.”
So what exactly is a pool villa? A luxury accommodation that combines the privacy and space of a villa with the added amenity of a private swimming pool, pool villas typically feature multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, living areas, and outdoor spaces, all centred around a private pool- for the exclusive use of the villa's guests. These villas are popular in resort destinations and are often sought after by travellers looking for a more exclusive and secluded vacation experience.
Apart from mainstream hotels and resorts, many holiday home rental companies like AirBnb and SaffronStays have such properties headlining their network. Says Devendra Parulekar founder of SaffronStays (a network of private villas and holiday home rental companies), “80% of our inventory has swimming pools. In fact, this figure rises to 95% in Maharashtra, Goa and such warmer destinations. Families and friends love to book private villas with pools, as the pool becomes a center of gravity for the entire group, to have fun and games. In summers, the waters help cool down and relax, and the thrill of relaxing in the pool in peak monsoons is something altogether different. Pools are an instant hit with children. Some of our homes also welcome pets in the water bodies. Having said that, while we ensure the pool depths don’t exceed lawfully allowed levels, we encourage our guests to oversee their little ones while in the pool, and respect pool timings and etiquette.”
Some of the popular examples of pool villas are found at The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in Goa with its beachfront pool villas, and The Leela Palace in Udaipur, which offers opulent villas with private pools overlooking Lake Pichola. These destinations provide a blend of traditional Indian hospitality with modern luxury, making them popular for both domestic and international tourists seeking a premium experience.
Even the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort at Greater Noida has pool villas in their premium suites (covering an area of 1,600 sq ft) which come with an electronic safe, mini bar, 42" level screen TV, private gallery and jacuzzi.
Taj Rishikesh Uttarakhand comes with a Presidential pool villa (covering 220 sq m) perched on the hillside, split over two levels, with three bedrooms, a majestic “Great Room” with a combined living and dining area with gas fireplace, two sit-outs, a kitchenette and a private infinity pool that draws you out to soak in the natural atmosphere. The roof-top patio treats you to beautiful views of the Ganges and the mountains while an outdoor sauna and indoor freestanding bathtub ensure relaxation, wherever you may be lounging.
Often hospitality giants have different configurations of accommodation with pool villas. Take the case of Radisson Blu Resort, Temple Bay Mamallapuram which has six exclusive villas. Says the Radisson group spokesperson, “We have a regular villa covering 1,227 sq ft with pool, a 2 bedroom villa covering 1950 sq ft and an expansive 4,343 sq ft villa features three king-sized beds, a communal living area, a private pool, and stunning views of the Bay of Bengal, ideal for larger groups.
Who are the people who like to stay in pool villas? Says Rohit Chokkar, Director of Sales Marketing at The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas, “It’s the high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNIs), who seek unparalleled luxury and personalized experiences. We also cater to celebrities who appreciate the exclusivity and refined ambiance of our villas. Additionally, we are a favoured choice for brides and grooms of wedding groups, providing a romantic and exquisite setting for their special day. Corporate leaders also choose our villas for their retreats and business engagements.” The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas comes with a Royal Garden Villa with Pool covering 1,190 sq. ft. which offers a breathtaking 240-degree view of the Himalayan valley and has an en-suite spa, open-air, temperature-controlled pool. Priced at Rs 2.5 lakh per room per night, you can avail an exclusive butler service and are welcomed with goodies such as a cheese platter, Chef’s curated Basil Chocolate ball, Jakhiya cookies, granola bar, macarons and tart with mango, berries and fruits and a bottle of wine.
Choosing the right pool villa involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your preferences and needs. How to choose the right kind of pool villas? Consider the geographical area and its climate. Consider the size of the villa and the pool. Make sure it accommodates your group comfortably. Check what amenities are included. Some villas come with added luxuries like hot tubs, outdoor showers, or full-service staff.
According to Ramya Mishra, travel expert and blogger with twenty years of experience, "When you are on vacation, choosing the right stay option is a must. An individual should figure out their priorities and make a booking accordingly. Location and privacy play a key role, no one wants to be disturbed when they are having the me-time or wouldn't like peeking eyes. Being a solo woman traveller, safety is a thing that is of paramount importance. I always check the safety measures put up by the resort.”
A much-neglected factor is safety. Look for pool villas that have safety measures in place such as pool gates or covered pools. Akshay D, from New Delhi shares that when he visited Taj Rishikesh in March 2021, “Monkeys were aggressive and a big menace. They swam and drank water from our private pool all the time so that made the presidential villa pool useless.”
Assess the maintenance and cleanliness. Read reviews to assess the maintenance standards of the pool and villa to ensure a clean and well-kept environment. Budget accordingly as pool villas can be significantly more expensive than standard accommodations.
PRICE CHART
If you are looking for a relaxing getaway of a spacious villa with a private pool, then sample some of these exclusive properties across top hospitality chains in India:
Resort/Hotel | Location | Price per Night (INR) (plus GST) | Additional Details |
Aahana-The Corbett Wilderness | Jim Corbett | 1,32,000 | Four-bedroom property with temperature-controlled pool, a dedicated heritage host |
The Oberoi Udaivilas | Udaipur, Rajasthan | 1,59,500 to 11,00,000 | Luxury suite to Kohinoor suite with 2-bedroom, 20 m private pool |
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa | Goa | 42,500 to 1,08,500 | Indulgence two room villa with plunge pool. Presidential suite with private pool |
The Leela Palace | Udaipur, Rajasthan | 48,000 | Grande Heritage Garden View Room with Private |
Taj Rishikesh | Uttarakhand | 4,00,000 | Lavish Villa with Pool |
Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort | Greater Noida | 75,000 | Premium suite |
Fateh Safari Suites
| Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan | 12,600 + taxes | Plunge Pool Suites with |
Westin Resort & Spa | Himalayas | 1,50,000 + taxes | Villa with Plunge Pool |
Credits: Market Research
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