Taj Enters Branded Villa Segment with Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas in Lonavala

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) unveiled Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas in Lonavala, Maharashtra, signalling the Taj brand’s debut in the luxury villa market. The project is a joint effort with Amavi, a real estate firm supported by hospitality expertise.

Key Takeaways

• IHCL unveiled Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas in Lonavala, marking the Taj brand’s entry into the luxury villa segment.
• The 34-acre Western Ghats project, developed with real estate firm Amavi, features 32 branded villas and a 100-room Taj resort.
• IHCL CEO Puneet Chhatwal called it a move into the branded-villa arena to meet changing luxury real-estate expectations.
• The villas draw on modern barn-style design with wide glass facades and generous verandahs overlooking a lake and valley.

Covering 34 acres in the Western Ghats, the development will feature 32 branded villas alongside a 100‑room Taj resort, delivering sweeping vistas of the nearby lake and valley.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of IHCL, remarked, “For more than a hundred years, Taj has set the standard for luxury hospitality with its iconic palaces, flagship city hotels, safaris and residences. Honoured as the World’s Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand and India’s Strongest Brand, Taj keeps advancing its leadership in premium hospitality. Introducing Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas signals our move into the branded‑villa arena, expanding our portfolio to meet shifting guest expectations while delivering the brand’s renowned trust, service excellence and heritage to a fresh segment of luxury real‑estate.”

Drawing inspiration from modern barn‑style design, the villas will boast wide glass façades and generous verandahs crafted to blend seamlessly with the natural setting.

The scheme features a two‑acre Wabi‑Sabi Central Park, taking cues from the Japanese ethos of simplicity and harmony with nature. Facilities will comprise a Miyawaki forest, walking paths, zen gardens, stargazing platforms, golf putting greens, a fitness lawn and versatile sports courts.

The development will also host Club Amavi, providing wellness and leisure amenities together with banquet and dining spaces.

The branded villas will be sold and incorporated into the resort’s inventory via a lease‑back arrangement. Owners will enjoy Taj hospitality services such as concierge support, housekeeping and upkeep, plus access to the resort’s leisure and wellness amenities.

Apurv Kumar, Managing Director of Clarks Group of Hotels and Founder of Amavi, commented, “People purchase second homes to gain more time—time with family, time in nature, time for themselves. All too often, however, they turn into an added burden. At Amavi we aim to change that. Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas merges the seclusion and lasting nature of a residence with the attentive service of Taj hospitality. Situated in the Western Ghats, it embodies our conviction that responsible development should honour the environment and deliver benefits to local communities. We envision Mount Kusur not just as an asset owners possess, but as a destination they return to, feel connected with, and visit.”

Sachin Agrawal and Bajrang Bararia, Founders of Amavi, stated, “Through Taj Mount Kusur Resort and Villas, Amavi aims to deliver a residential product that blends design, nature and hospitality. Today’s luxury travellers increasingly look for experiences that marry the privacy of a second home with the reliability and service of a hospitality brand. The development’s low‑density layout, integrated facilities and expertly managed services are crafted to give owners the seclusion of villa ownership alongside the convenience of a high‑end resort. Amavi is delighted to collaborate with IHCL to realise this vision under the Taj banner.”

Situated between Mumbai and Pune, Lonavala ranks as one of Maharashtra’s well‑known leisure and second‑home spots, drawing visitors with its valleys, lakes, waterfalls and easy access to the two major cities.