Top hotels greet uber-rich with villas serving privacy

Radical shifts in hotel industry niches as luxury travel spending heads for $11 bn this year

- Varuni Khosla

In the world's most populous country, privacy is the ultimate luxury. The hotel industry, which has always known this, is now undergoing a radical makeover to cater to India's ultra-rich—and charging a pretty penny for the privilege.

Earlier this month, a collection of high-end villas—called Arq by The Leela—opened along Lake Pichola in Udaipur. These ultra-luxurious villas, spread across 4,000 to 9,000 sq. ft, are designed as self-contained retreats with high-end comforts. A night's stay in one of these can cost upwards of ₹36 lakh—a year's salary for many Indians.

They've had no trouble finding takers. Guests arrive by private boat to a quiet, custom welcome that sets the tone for the extravagant stay. Perks include personal chefs, floating breakfasts, evening cocktails, and exclusive excursions for a taste of Udaipur's heritage.

The goal is to have a "palace within a palace," said Shweta Jain, the company's chief sales and marketing officer.

"These suites were earlier a spa area that has been reimagined. They offer a different value proposition from the Maharaja suite at our hotel. We will continue to create such luxury propositions," she said.