Tag: luxury villa

How Private Villas Add a Charm to Intimate Celebrations

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We learned one of the greatest lessons in 2020- gratefulness for every moment of our life. As things start looking a little brighter this time around, we eagerly look forward to celebrating life in itself. It need not be a birthday or occasional party, but the idea of relaxing, taking time off to rejuvenate feels desirable. A cherry on the cake of your celebrations is when you truly make an experience of it. Celebrating in private villas or homes is a step up over hotel rooms or banquet halls because they provide a well-curated experience just for you. And we have many such reasons for you to come, celebrate with SaffronStays…

Unparalleled Privacy 

SaffronStays Arrivée
Unparalleled privacy in spacious villas!

An entire place to yourself, with nobody else to pry on what you do, what you wear or how weirdly you laugh. You can do the embarrassing dance moves by the private pools or flaunt your sporty side on gaming lawns, our private villas near Mumbai, Lonavala, or Alibaug all are equipped with various facilities for guests to choose from. While you enjoy, our chefs and caretakers on site will ensure you get the best hospitality. 

Safe and Sanitised Villas

SaffronStays Horizon 360°
Regularly sanitized villas

It’s become a norm to check on the hygiene standards and practices being followed whenever you book a place for a vacation now. All our private villas and homes are regularly sanitized and keep up with the safety protocols as per the Govt. So be rest assured that your safety is also our concern, that we fully address. 

Intimate Celebrations Stay Intimate

Celebrate with your loved ones!

The premise of having small, intimate gatherings is to only have people that you really want by your side. When booking private villas for wedding-related events, it gives a space and time to personally bond with your people, instead of the rushed hi-hellos and plastered smiles.

With SaffronStays, you can choose an occasion — pre-wedding party, roka, wedding to reception and leave it to us with the arrangements to make it a memorable one for you! Don’t stress over what can go wrong, when you can focus on what to make right- a choice to select private villas for your intimate celebrations. You will cherish your special moments when you exactly remember how happy you felt in them.

Freedom of Choice 

SaffronStays Parnakuti, Nashik
Relax in a way you wish to!

You have a lot of free time on your hands when you are being taken care of by someone else. There’s no worry about what’s cooking for breakfast or lunch, or what tasks need to tick off the routine. In spacious villas, one can have the ‘Me-time’ or ‘Us-time’ as you desire, by the pool, walking on the lawn, playing games, or curl up with a book in a cozy corner. You have the flexibility to spend your time as you want, something that you cannot do at your own home at times. That essence of being free of restrictions or responsibilities even for a day or two is so engrossing.

The Foodie Experience

Farm-to-Table food experience
Farm-to-Table food experience at Sanvina Farms

The food you eat during your vacation is also very much a part of your memories. How many times have Dal Makhni or Chicken Masala Curry from fancy hotels tasted distinctly different? But when you’re staying at private villas like ours, where chefs have their own specialties infused with local tastes, food also becomes part of an experience. Have a preference for veg-only homes? We got that too! From coastal style curries at beachside homes in Alibaug, to farm-to-table experiences at private villas in Karjat, your stay with us also serves you some delectable dishes.

Home For Every Vibe Tribe  

SaffronStays Over The Valley, Mahabaleshwar

What is your vibe for celebrations? Taking a nature’s retreat, cousins’ reunion, family staycation, work with a view, girls getaway or occasions — we have luxurious private homes that match it. Wake up to sunrise views over mountain valleys at beautiful villas in Lonavala or to the sound of sea waves by staying at a beach-facing private villa in Alibaug, go organic farming in rustic homestays around Mumbai or plan a workation from WiFi-equipped private homes. We have pet-friendly homes around Mumbai and Pune, so a getaway with your pooch, why not? 

Celebrate You! 

Kamal Farms by the River, Karjat
SaffronStays Kamal Farms by The River, Karjat

Last, but not least — celebrate you for being you! We all have seen difficult times, dealt with extra pressure, crumbled even but here we are again. Owe up to that, to give yourself a celebration you deserve. With the whole place to yourself in private villas, you need not have a show-and-tell, but a quiet celebration of just your family. Go all out with your favorite playlist or elusively finish that self-help book that you’ve been putting away.

Be grateful to you, your loved ones, celebrate life with SaffronStays, and let us be the gracious hosts to add the feathers on your party hats! 

Inspire and Motivate Teams With A Corporate Getaway

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With more than 2 years since the COVID-19 outbreak, most workspaces have efficiently adapted to the new style of working in a hybrid model, with complete or partial work from home and partial work from office. But on days when you think in-person communication would have eased the process of understanding, there is a unanimous appeal for team-bonding sessions. A one-day corporate getaway in and around the city that collaborates professional goals with personal bonding can work wonders for a team’s productivity. If you are considering where and how to go about planning a corporate getaway around Mumbai and Pune, we have some ideas for you.

Welcome New Joinees Into The Company Culture

SaffronStays Summer Salt in Alibaug
corporate getaway

If your company has welcomed a set of new employees in the last few months, then host a one-day retreat to induct them into the work culture. It is a significant way to include them in the larger team, communicate your expectations of them, help them know their coworkers, and forge connections. A one-day corporate getaways as a welcome will leave a lasting impression on the first go, especially if you choose luxury and uber-luxe private villas in Alibaug like SaffronStays Summer Salt, SaffronStays Casa Del Palms and SaffronStays Hacienda By The Sea, Alibaug. Located close to beaches, these pool villas flaunt stunning outdoor spaces like gazebos, well-manicured lawns, verandahs and balconies surrounded with thick greenery, that make for the perfect spot for bonding sessions.


Mix Business With Pleasure, Literally!

Other than getting away from the confines of conventional conference rooms, you need to have refreshing activities where the team can forget about their work, at least for a few hours. You need not decide what the team should do, but let them make the most of their time. At stunning private villas near Mumbai like SaffronStays Juniper, Lonavala, SaffronStays Carpe Diem, Lonavala & SaffronStays Amaltas, Nashik, it will be difficult to choose between pool time, a game of cricket on the lawn, downtime in the gazebo and the crossfit/gym workout. Make this one-day trip near Mumbai an experience of not just work meets leisure, but where work meets luxury!


Craft Your Next Strategy By The Pool

SaffronStays Kaia Waters by Kosha Villas in Pawna

Enough of Zoom calls to lay down your strategies, it’s time to change that approach. Picture a blue poolside for your presentations, which eliminates the redundancy of just another meeting. Or hold your training sessions in open spaces which inadvertently fuel an openness to learn in the attendees. Our beachside and waterfront Signature villas like SaffronStays Sundowner, Karjat, SaffronStays Waters By Kosha Villas, Pawna, and SaffronStays Gardenia, Kihim have spacious pools for the ideal pool-with-a-view workation. The spacious properties can accommodate about 20+ people to sit together and attend the presentations, while cool breezes and the soft sounds of nature refreshes them by the side.
Also Read: Steps to planning a successful corporate offsite.

Making A Well-Planned Corporate Getaway

A corporate getaway that communicates goals and collaborates efforts is a well-planned retreat. But certain things have to be considered- distance, strong internet connection and facilities for enjoyment. SaffronStays Foresta By The Lake, Kamshet, SaffronStays Kairos, Karjat and SaffronStays Reva Infinity & Beyond, Karjat are ideal for every kind of corporate holiday near Mumbai and Pune. Be it hosting select top leaders or a larger team gathering, these spacious, well-connected homes have lawns to host your meetings outdoors. Your work presentations can later turn into fun parties, with the mini-bar setup by the pool. 

So, be inventive and plan a one-day corporate retreat with SaffronStays where colleagues bond as friends and come back reenergized to tick off their goals highly motivated.

Unveiling Hidden Secrets of Alibaug, Beyond Its Beaches

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Hidden secrets of Alibaug

Alibaug, a coastal town off Mumbai is always living up to its hype of being a beautiful beach destination. But besides tourism, you’d be surprised to know that this coastal town is an amalgamation of history, culture, and art if you know the nooks to explore. From secluded beaches to quirky cafes matching the city vibe to forts that carry historical anecdotes and art galleries with a contemporary touch; Are you ready to explore the hidden secrets of Alibaug?

Turn the Pages of Unread Anecdotes in History 

Would you believe it if we told you Alibaug had its own currency at one point? Back in the 17th century, during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, many battles were fought at this naval base. At that time, Kanhoji Angre, after a win, issued his currency of a silver coin called the Alibagi rupaiya!

The place gets its nomenclature from a Bene Israelite man named Eli who owned gardens with mango and coconut plantations. The locals called it Eli chi baug or Ali’s garden which eventually transformed to Alibaug.
If you are keenly interested in more memoirs of the past and hidden secrets of Alibaug, then pay a visit to Korlai Fort, Hirakot Fort, Sagargad Fort and Murud-Janjira Fort here.

Leave an Imprint in Sands of Lesser-Known Beaches 

There is something ineffably soothing being in close proximity to a beach, the slow breeze caressing your face or waves inching further to touch your feet. The popular beaches of Alibaug, Nagaon and Kashid are riddled with tourists. But there are some relatively unnoticed spots, tucked a little further. Akshi beach, next to Nagaon sees a comparatively lesser crowd. Kasim beach, located about 30 km away in the town of Kashid is another beachside that evokes calm and tranquility. Saswane beach extending the coastline of Awas, is a good place to visit if you want to stir up conversations with the locals about their life at the sea. This town is home to a fishermen community.

With frequent tourists returning to the beaches of Alibaug, they, unfortunately, leave behind more than just their footprints. Wrappers, paper waste, snack bits, and a lot of plastic waste get irresponsibly thrown around on the beach shore. Taking up the responsibility to make the beaches look pristine again, SaffronStays and M2M Ferries in association with Beach Warriors are organizing Alibaug Beach Cleanup at Mandwa beach on February 28, Sunday from 9 AM to 11 AM. If you’d like to join us then Click here to register.

Relish and Learn The Culinary Culture!

To get the taste of a place, one has to indulge in the authentic flavours it offers. Alibaug serves as an introduction to the Konkan region of Maharashtra and thus Gomantak cuisine or seafood becomes a must-try. Sanmaan restaurant carries a legacy of over three decades. Established in 1980, they have secret recipes that are now carried forward by generations with no compromise in taste. Located on Varsoli beach, this hotel serves you the best at an affordable price. One of the hidden secrets of Alibaug to explore is the cafe culture. Bohemyan Blue on Alibaug- Rewas road is an open garden cafe with rustic feels. The wooden cane furniture, decorated flowy curtains, and abundance of shrubs around do present the Bohemian vibe, an ambiance that suits a brunch plan. You can choose your platter from Lebanese, Italian to some Konkani dishes.

Since we are talking about relishing good food, one can get to the other side of the preparations with Chef Moshe Shek’s culinary studio ‘A World Away.’ The chef behind popular boutique Cafe Moshe’s has set up a swanky school in Awas, a 25 mins ride from Alibaug. Within an atmosphere of tall trees and a well-maintained garden of fruits, vegetables and herbs one can learn to cook classic middle-eastern dishes to deliciously gooey desserts! 

Luxurious Stays All to Yourself 

SaffronStays Al Fresco in Alibaug
SaffronStays Al Fresco, Alibaug

Among the many hotels, resorts and homestays that welcome the tourists visiting this coastal town, there are private villas that offer you the entire place to yourself. Yes, you could have a place with private access to the beach or stare into the horizon from the azure blue pools! SaffronStays By The Beach, offers you an experience to enjoy the beachfront by lounging in a pool. This luxurious 5-bedroom villa welcomes you with a drive down on Mandwa beach, so you live right across the sandy shores.  

If you want a more serene ambiance, a little away from the beaches, then SaffronStays Al Fresco is a place you can consider. With a jacuzzi in an indoor swimming pool to expansive lawns outdoors, you have many ways to rejuvenate. A set up of movie night under the stars on the lush lawns outside, this goes beyond a 5-star living experience! 

If the oceanside is not your bait, then there’s a heritage property that will make you fall in love with it at first sight! SaffronStays Asanji Wadi in Alibaug eminently exudes a historic feel, right from its brick stone construction to the carefully picked interior decor items. Resurrected by the homeowners after the Bhuj earthquake, this home truly has stories to tell. 

Decoding Contemporary Art and Sculptures 

Alibaug may paint artistic sceneries with its natural bounty of ocean sunsets but it is also a secret haven for art lovers! Mumbai’s famous art gallery The Guild shifted here from Colaba back in 2015. Shalini Sawhney, the owner and director decided to move, to make art accessible to the real patrons who love visiting galleries. There is no urgency to catch up on exhibitions in the city chaos, but instead, art becomes a viewing and relaxing experience here. The place has been hosting several private collectors’ exhibitions for years. 

One of the most interesting art scenes and hidden secrets of Alibaug is the Ashirwaad Kaladalan, a Coconut Shell Art Gallery. It is a display of artist Vijayanand Shembekar’s talent for making artworks out of coconut shells and other items of the coconut tree. Broken and damaged coconuts, shells, leaves and stems are his only materials but he presents a marvelous gallery of over 400 pieces that will leave you spell-bound. From vehicles, intricate lamps, animals to human figurines, he’s carved art from what was tagged waste.

Another not-so-hidden secret of Alibaug, but still underexplored, is the Dashrath Patel Museum. This museum displays the creations of multi-disciplinary artist Dashrath Patel, who used paintings, pottery, photography, sculpting, and designs as his mediums of expression. An artist from L’Ecole Beaux Arts to becoming Founder Secretary of Education of NID Ahmedabad, Patel had interactions with luminaries of art and culture in his journey of exploring the field. The museum sheds light on his life and legacy, deserving a visit from true art lovers.

Tourists head to Alibaug with the alacrity of visiting the beaches but closer to the visible horizon are these gems of art, history, and culture, waiting to welcome a curious explorer. 

The SaffronStays X Series Life: Luxury Beyond Limits

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When seen from a global traveller’s eyes, luxury ceases to exist in Italian marble flooring, 1000 thread count sheets and butler services. Instead, it manifests itself through thoughtful hospitality and unparalleled privacy – where boasting of a holiday isn’t through sharing a family photo in the Maldives but instead, reminiscing every memory created from unmatched experiences. 

The letter ‘X’ is often used to describe a variable of infinite significance, and an ‘X-Factor’ bestowed upon something that starkly differentiates it as even better than the best.

So when a seasoned traveller, someone who has seen the world and its beauty, wants for something that money can’t buy, he deserves this ‘X’ Series – a collection that only the most discerning eye can appreciate.

SaffronStays launched its X Series Estates – a curated collection of ultra-luxe estates with indulgent experiences – with the promise to deliver something that the 5-star luxury hotels of India could hold a candle to. So, what is the X-Series Life?

X By The Beach, Alibaug

Recently featured in Condé Nast Traveller’s ‘20 beach breaks to kick off 2021’, X By The Beach is a private luxury estate in Alibaug that sits right on Mandwa beach. Along with green-hued lawns, 5 lavish bedrooms and a mini-theatre, this beauty also has a private swimming pool that treats its guests with mesmerising beach views under a coconut canopy. 

Drive your way into Alibaug and know that you’re getting closer to this beach haven when tar roads change to seaside sands. You know you’ve found a gem for the view is not something that you see every day. As quoted by Ashwin, who welcomed 2021 with his family and friends here, “It feels like you’re in a private resort in Malaysia.” There is something for everyone here – French windows that invite the outdoors inside, cosy spaces for quality tête-à-tête and a gentle beach breeze that visits you every now and then. This is the kind of home where your kids will love running on the dewy lawns all day long, as you grab a pool-side drink, crafted to perfection. 

What compels guests, like Deepti Gubbi who celebrated her 40th birthday, to choose this beachside gem, to celebrate their milestone events here is the warm and hand-crafted hospitality service. The well-trained chef promises to send lip-smacking indigenous and international meals your way until you happily slide into a food coma. At the same time, the staff readily goes out of their way with meticulous detail to give you an untainted staycation experience – it’s the kind of holiday that is only beginning to give stiff competition to one in the Tajs and JW Marriotts of India. As one of our guests, Nihir Shah says, “We wanted to go to a private space that promised great service. From the barbeque under the stars to the breakfast in the lawn, the hospitality simply touched us… This is not available anywhere else! It is what we wanted, and it (justifies) the reason why we spent so much at By The Beach – we paid for what we wanted.”

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Arrivée, Alibaug

The X-Factor that bestows the crown on Arrivée as the gem of the X Series is sheer magnanimity. With an eagle’s eye view over the entire coastline of Alibaug, staying at Arrivée is like ruling over a whole kingdom below you. The 8 acres of the estate itself pale in comparison to the visual ownership that the breezy pool deck provides – a yon orange Sun casting a saffron glow over the woodland as it dips into the Arabian Sea; and a brooding mansion that transforms into an opulent palatial hideaway as the sky turns black. 

Mumbaikars hop over to Alibaug ever so often, it’s termed the Hamptons of Bombay. But to find a gem that ticks everyone’s boxes, and also offers a novel experience is what Arrivée stands for. A temple for the serene-hearted and a theatre for the cinephile, a private infinity pool with a view to die for and a deck that’s ideal for a digital detox – it’s that rare, exclusive find that Netflix would make shows about. From 8-80, there’s something for all your family members. A quick match on the enclosed cricket pitch or a swim over the coastal city, a short movie in the theatre or a session in the Jacuzzi… you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Meals are a hearty affair in this home. A day at Arrivée starts with a breakfast spread on the alfresco community table, with billowing drapes and calming greens for company. You saunter in for a lunch of cuisines crafted to perfection, that waft you off to sleep. A candlelight dinner under the stars or overlooking the ‘Baug before you retire for the night. They say manners maketh a man, and to that, we say meals maketh a holiday.

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Green Acres, Alibaug

Eternalised by the surreal presence of the ‘Bollywood’s Dancing Queen’, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Green Acres in Alibaug is a home that breathes modesty and offers luxury. The conqueror of hearts, young and old, this luxurious estate in Alibaug embeds itself on a 10-acre land. Lush greens surrounding this glamorous abode offer you the perfect opportunity to take a breath of fresh air – metaphorically and literally. Strategically designed into two split-level wings to give its guests a 270° view of its surroundings, this home is a place ‘Where Families Bond’ through shared laughter and warm memories. The joy of all joys is that even years later when nostalgia hits over a cup of tea, this home will manage to rekindle a sense of belongingness – such is its geniality.

Widespread lawns generously lay before the pool deck; and while there may be many estates in Alibaug, none that match the openness of Green Acres. You can arrange a hearty brunch on the greens on a sunny day and pop champagne by the pool as dusk sets on. And if the mood is to delve into the art of doing nothing, kick back on the deck and let the euphonious melodies of nature amuse you. 

It’s a certainty that draws the guests in. There’s an elevator that makes it wheel-chair accessible and ideal for all ages, while the private theatre ensures that there will not be a dull moment during your stay. For bookworms, there’s a library at your disposal, and gastronomes will have a field day with the meals that are curated here. Don’t believe us? Just see the meals that were crafted for the most humbling guests. 

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Over The Valley, Mahabaleshwar

Picture this – a 112-year old heritage home amidst the clouds, high up on a hilltop, cradled by trees of green. The 6-bedroom colonial estate in Mahabaleshwar, which we fondly call Over The Valley, transports you to a dreamlike era and promises to change your notion of a regal staycation forever. You’ll be spellbound the minute you walk through the gates. 

There is more to this home than ol’ brick, stone, and wood; there is a sense of belongingness, sheer warmth and wisdom that will be significantly reflected during your stay here. A small tour around the home will convince you that you couldn’t have asked for anything better than this – With ample space for kids to run and families to engage in endless conversations, this private estate is a home away from home. What is a holiday without gourmet meals that marry the legacy of an estate to the novelty of a holiday home? The lip-smacking gourmet meals are served in stunning indoor and outdoor scapes – think breakfast over the valley and lunch under the boughs. Each meal is crafted for global tastebuds that appreciate the richness of local flavours. 

What makes Over The Valley also perfect for destination weddings near Mumbai and celebrations is the adjoining helipad. Imagine an entry into your wedding in a roaring helicopter, or chartering your guests for a thrilling experience. Surround yourself with those who matter on your big day and enjoy a hassle-free celebration because the staff on-site is trained to take extreme care of you. Right from preparing wholesome meals to serving them in a heart-pleasing, warm manner, your guests will certainly have a good time – and your venue location will surely get them talking!

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