In an era where reconnecting with nature and oneself has become paramount, Prashant Kajaria, Managing Director of SPA Group, has envisioned a retreat that seamlessly blends luxury with the serenity of nature. VISMAYA Spa & Resort, the group’s latest venture, is not just a resort but a holistic lifestyle destination crafted to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.
Additionally, VISMAYA stands out for its attention to detail in ensuring guests’ needs are met, from 24-hour crèche services for young children to Any Time Medical Care (ATMC) facilities. In an exclusive interaction with Asmita Mukherjee Kajaria unveiled his vision behind VISMAYA Spa & Resort—a destination that seamlessly blends luxury with nature.
VISMAYA Spa & Resort is positioned as a luxurious sanctuary. What inspired you to conceptualize this project, and how does it align with SPA Group’s vision of blending luxury with nature?
The inspiration behind VISMAYA Spa & Resort stems from a vision to seamlessly blend luxury with nature, creating an environment where guests can reconnect with themselves. At SPA Group, we believe true luxury transcends material indulgence and lies in experiences that nurture the mind, body, and soul. VISMAYA embodies this philosophy, offering a harmonious fusion of lush landscapes and thoughtfully designed spaces to craft curated wellness experiences that elevate daily life.
More than just a holiday retreat, VISMAYA is a holistic lifestyle destination. From the state-of-the-art Coliseum for sports enthusiasts to indulgent dining options like Al Fresco dining, a rooftop café, and a grand banquet hall, the resort is designed to rejuvenate your physical and mental well-being. With conveniences like Any Time Medical Care (ATMC), a 24-hour crèche, and a convenience store, VISMAYA ensures a stress-free, enriching stay.
VISMAYA isn’t just a resort; it’s an environment you’ll call home.
How do your commitment to sustainability and ethical practices shape the design and operations of VISMAYA Spa & Resort? In what ways does the resort integrate eco-friendly initiatives into its overall experience?
At VISMAYA Spa & Resort, sustainable and responsible luxury lies at the heart of our philosophy. We integrate nature into every aspect of our operations, from eco-friendly architecture featuring rainwater harvesting and water recycling systems to biophilic designs that enhance ventilation and natural light while reducing energy consumption. Our farm-to-table dining concept supports local farmers and ensures fresh, organic meals, fostering community and well-being. The Well Spa offers Ayurvedic and holistic treatments, while our green spaces enhance biodiversity. At VISMAYA, luxury is an eco-conscious experience where indulgence and responsibility coexist, empowering guests to contribute to environmental well-being.
As someone catering to UHNIs, how do you ensure that VISMAYA provides unique and personalised experiences that resonate with this exclusive clientele?
Today’s Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNIs) seek more than luxury—they desire exclusivity, personalization, and transformative experiences. At VISMAYA, we craft a curated environment with bespoke services, premium amenities, and unmatched privacy. From personalised concierge services to tailored wellness programs, we ensure every guest’s needs are met, whether it’s a private stargazing session, an intimate bonfire evening, or a chef-curated dining experience. Membership is by invitation, guaranteeing exclusivity and uncompromised privacy. At The Coliseum, in-house trainers offer private sessions tailored to guests’ schedules. For us, true luxury lies not in grandeur but in fulfilling every guest’s unique desires.
The resort integrates diverse spaces for different demographics, from children to senior citizens. How do you ensure these spaces maintain a cohesive luxury experience?
Incongruous as it may seem, true luxury is offering exclusivity with seamless inclusivity. By that, we mean that VISMAYA Spa and Resort creates age-group specific bespoke experiences. The entire resort and the spaces within it have been designed with the objective that our guests will include people from various demographics. These include Toddler’s Haven, a secure and stimulating crèche, to the Coliseum, a premier sports hub. Emphasis has been laid on offering sophistication, not only in terms of the finest materials used for their interiors but also the services offered.
For senior citizens too, we are exploring wellness programmes that help generate a sense of being at peace, private lounges, wheelchair friendly spaces and dedicated concierge services. For younger guests, there’re interactive learning spaces, adventure zones as well as recreational areas.
The concept of a Resto Lounge Bar and spa is integral to the resort. How are these spaces designed to offer both relaxation and exclusivity to your guests?
Unlike regular lounge bars, VISMAYA’s Resto Lounge Bar has been designed to offer guests both exclusivity and relaxation, in a refined and indulgent ambience. Each aspect of the Resto Lounge Bar has been chosen with deep thought – be it the music selection which has been carefully curated, the lighting, which helps create the right ambience for relaxation and socialising, the innovative cocktail menu…all of which blend well with the plush interiors.
For those seeking to rejuvenate themselves- body, mind and spirit, The Well Spa is the perfect escape into a world of tranquillity and rejuvenation. In addition to bespoke therapies, the spa also offers Ayurvedic treatments and holistic wellness experiences, set amidst a pristine environment offering both comfort and privacy.
Bangalore is becoming a hub for luxury hospitality. How does VISMAYA stand out in a competitive market like this?
While there are several options when it comes to luxury hospitality in Bangalore, the truth is that the market here is getting saturated. With VISMAYA Spa & Resort, we have managed to carve a niche in Hosur by being the pioneer in the luxury resort segment in that micro market, which has great potential for growth.
What also sets VISMAYA apart from other resorts is that it is located within a premium gated community and is not a stand-alone property. This enables VISMAYA to offer its guests unmatched security with privacy and high-end amenities. Since the area is witnessing major infrastructure developments, increased connectivity and establishment of business hubs, VISMAYA is well placed to become a sought-after luxury destination, combining elements of resort living, wellness, sports and indulgences.
With growing demand for bespoke experiences, how do you plan to position VISMAYA as a destination for both domestic and international travellers?
In order to attract both Indian and foreign tourists, VISMAYA is positioning itself as a resort offering bespoke experiences that range from personalised concierge services and private dining set-ups to curated wellness retreats and tailored adventure activities. The amenities VISMAYA offers are without any peer anywhere – be it the fully equipped Coliseum, the wellness-focused spa, fine dining or a host of sports & leisure activities.
Our USP includes our location, with the resort strategically situated near Hosur, which is an upcoming luxury market not too far from Bangalore, making it easily accessible. That apart, we are focusing on a global outreach through partnerships and collaborations with luxury travel curators and wellness tourism boards to attract high-end travellers from India and abroad. We are also offering VISMAYA to a select corporate clientele for their corporate retreats for their CXOs.
What challenges did you face during the conceptualisation and development of VISMAYA Spa & Resort, and how were they addressed?
I think the biggest challenge was harmoniously blending luxury with nature to ensure sustainability and the viability of the entire project. We realised early on that any skew against the balance of nature will adversely affect the feasibility and perhaps even the existence of this resort. Which is why we incorporated elements such as a biophilicdesign in the resort’s architecture, which, when you now see, has managed to create a seamless integration of the luxury spaces with the open spaces, without short-changing either comfort or aesthetics.
Other aspects of the resort’s design also required meticulous planning, in order to make the flow of spaces cohesive and integrated, so that movement across the resort was seamless.
Another challenge was being the first-mover in the Hosurmicro-market, and while being the first mover has its advantages, it also has its own risks and pitfalls. For one, since there was no other luxury resort, there was no way of knowing whether the market was ready for such a luxury resort or not. To overcome that, we conducted extensive market research and benchmarking with similar luxury resorts elsewhere to create curated experiences that are valued by Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNI) and discerning travellers.
As an entrepreneur with a debt-free approach, how does financial independence contribute to the success of projects like VISMAYA?
The advantage of having no debt on our books allows us to focus on our long term growth story, unencumbered by financial pressures of servicing a debt. This also allowed us at VISMAYA to have an unblinking focus on the detailing to be provided, both in terms of the workmanship and the services offered. We firmly believe that absence of debt on a company’s books grants us the freedom to make decisions that are value-accretive, rather than focused on short-term returns. This in turn allows for greater innovation to create a truly world-class resort experience.
What opportunities do you see for expansion in the luxury hospitality segment, and are there plans for more resorts under the SPA Group umbrella?
If we look at just this century, we can safely say that there has been a tremendous evolution in the luxury hospitality segment, as increasing disposable or discretionary income is making guests more voluble – and rightly so – in demanding exclusive, immersive and wellness-centric experiences. There is a huge and untapped market for luxury resorts in niche pockets offering luxury with sustainability.
The success of VISMAYA has reinforced our belief at SPA Group that there’s a growing market for such luxury experiences for those looking for a refined yet nature-integrated resort. Currently, SPA Group is also evaluating strategic locations where such bespoke resorts as VISMAYA can be set up. Today, we can assert that VISMAYA is now a benchmark for responsible luxury.
