EkoStay Expands Nilgiris Presence With 40-Villa Development Plan

Nilgiris Expansion Supports EkoStay’s South India Growth Strategy

EkoStay has announced plans to expand its presence in South India with a targeted 40-villa boutique cluster project across the Nilgiris region by 2026. The development will cover Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagiri, strengthening the company’s footprint in India’s growing alternative accommodation and experiential travel market.

The professionally managed vacation home brand currently operates more than 150 villas across the country and has already identified the Nilgiris as a key destination for its next phase of growth.

As part of the expansion, EkoStay has 11 villas in its immediate pipeline across the region, offering a mix of two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom private villas. Four properties are already operational, while the remaining villas are expected to open by mid to late June 2026.

Among the properties launched and under development are Under the Pines, Dawn Villa and Dusk Villa. Each has been designed to reflect the character of the Nilgiris, drawing inspiration from the region’s tea estates, pine forests and hill station surroundings.

Under the Pines is a five-bedroom villa set amidst pine-covered landscapes with views of the surrounding valleys. Dawn Villa and Dusk Villa overlook Ooty’s tea gardens and greenery, providing accommodation options for couples, families and small groups. Located next to each other, the two villas can also be booked together to accommodate larger gatherings.

The Nilgiris project forms part of EkoStay’s broader approach of identifying independent homes in leisure destinations and converting them into professionally managed hospitality properties. Several of the villas have undergone extensive renovations and operational upgrades before opening to guests.

The company has also begun incorporating AI-assisted visualisation tools during the planning and design stages. For the Nilgiris properties, these tools were used to explore interior concepts, colour palettes, layouts, materials and guest-focused design features before implementation.

Commenting on the expansion, Zishan Khan, Chief Acquisition Officer and Co-Founder of EkoStay, said the Nilgiris continues to attract travellers seeking nature, slower-paced experiences and the charm associated with traditional hill stations.

He added that the company is working closely with homeowners to redesign and upgrade properties while preserving their individual character and local identity. The focus remains on creating hospitality experiences that reflect the destination rather than adopting a standardised approach.

According to Khan, the planned 40-villa cluster represents an important step in EkoStay’s long-term strategy of building a network of boutique villa accommodations across leisure destinations in India. He noted that travellers are increasingly seeking private and experience-driven stays, making destinations such as Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagiri an important part of the company’s growth plans.

Founded in 2018 by Husain Khatumdi, Sohail Mirchandani, Varun Arora and Zishan Khan, EkoStay has expanded across several leisure destinations in India through curated villas, professionally managed holiday homes and private stay experiences designed for contemporary travellers.

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