The Indian Hotels Company has unveiled Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas in Lonavala, Maharashtra, marking the chain’s first foray into the luxury branded villa segment. The development combines a hotel and private residences on a 34‑acre estate in the Western Ghats.
Taj moves into the villa market
Partnering with Amavi, a hospitality‑backed real‑estate brand, the project offers a 100‑key resort alongside 32 stand‑alone villas. The mixed‑use layout spreads across the hillside, aiming to blend hotel service with the autonomy of a second home.
Design, nature and services
“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,” said Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO of IHCL.
The villas adopt contemporary barn‑style architecture, featuring expansive glass façades and wide verandahs that open onto the surrounding lake and valley. The design attempts to let the surrounding environment frame each living space.
A two‑acre Wabi‑Sabi Central Park draws on Japanese simplicity, while a Miyawaki forest, nature trails, zen gardens, stargazing decks, golf putting greens, a fitness lawn and multi‑purpose courts add recreational depth. These elements aim to create a seamless indoor‑outdoor experience for guests and owners alike.
Club Amavi, the on‑site wellness hub, will host fitness classes, spa treatments, banquet halls and several dining venues. The facility is intended to serve both transient visitors and permanent residents, reinforcing the blend of hospitality and private living.
The villas will be sold under a lease‑back programme, allowing purchasers to retain ownership while accessing Taj’s concierge, housekeeping, maintenance and resort amenities.
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The lease‑back model simplifies ownership.
This arrangement seeks to reduce the day‑to‑day responsibilities typically associated with second‑home ownership.
“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,” said Apurv Kumar, Managing Director of Clarks Group of Hotels and Founder of Amavi.
Founders Sachin Agrawal and Bajrang Bararia explained that the project was conceived to unite design, nature and hospitality, responding to growing demand for second homes that offer privacy alongside professionally managed luxury services.
The development sits between Mumbai and Pune, two of India’s major economic hubs. Lonavala has long attracted leisure travelers, wellness seekers and buyers of vacation properties, thanks to its valleys, lakes and waterfalls.
According to the filing, the estate includes 32 villas, a 100‑key hotel, a two‑acre park, a forested area, and multiple sport and wellness facilities. The lease‑back model integrates these elements under a single management structure.
With the launch, Taj adds a new category to its portfolio, extending its brand into a segment that merges real‑estate ownership with full‑service hospitality.
