A Chartered Accountant by training, Tejas left behind corporate banking stints at Ernst & Young, ICICI, and HSBC, only to answer a calling rooted in something far less transactional: the idea of home as experience. Alongside her husband and co-founder Devendra Parulekar, she launched SaffronStays—a hospitality collective that
turned carefully chosen homes into soulful, design-aware destinations. Today, it’s a network of over 250 homes
across India, and each one doesn’t just welcome you in—it stays with you. We sat down with Tejas to talk about what makes a house “stay-worthy,” how design meets memory, and why the most powerful kind of hospitality often comes wrapped in small, soulful gestures.
What did luxury look like when you started—and what does it look like now?
When we began, luxury was defined by extravagance—grand properties, uniform service, and excessive amenities. Today, it’s a quieter, more meaningful concept. True luxury lies in authenticity, privacy, and emotional connection. It’s the luxury of time—to slow down, to immerse, to feel. At SaffronStays, we’ve reimagined this through curated homestays that offer soulful experiences, personal touches, and the feeling of being cared for—without ever compromising on comfort.”
What makes a home “stay-worthy” in your view?
“A stay-worthy home must stir something within you. Beyond architectural beauty or modern amenities, it must have soul. We seek homes that tell a story, that hold a sense of place—be it a colonial bungalow steeped in history or a serene cliffside cottage. The true test? Whether it evokes warmth, invites connection, and feels like it was waiting just for you.”
How do you curate properties without losing their unique character?
“Curation at SaffronStays is intuitive and respectful. We retain the essence of each home and its hosts while
layering in comfort, consistency, and thoughtful service. The goal is to enhance, not homogenise. Our homes
don’t feel like hotels; they feel lived-in, loved, and cared for—with standards that ensure every guest experience is seamless yet soulful.”
How does India’s idea of ‘home’ differ from the West—and how does that translate into your hospitality philosophy?
“In India, a home is not just four walls—it’s a sanctuary of rituals, stories, and familial warmth. It’s layered with memories and inherited wisdom. At SaffronStays, we translate this into a deeply immersive experience:
private villas with modern comforts, home-cooked regional cuisine, cozy nooks filled with books, heritage courtyards, and personal hospitality. Its luxury wrapped in warmth—where privacy meets personality, and elegance meets emotion.”
How do you approach legacy homes? Is there a tension between preservation and intervention?
“Preservation is a responsibility we hold dear. Our interventions are minimal and always in service of the structure’s soul. For example, at our Goan heritage home, SaffronStays Nossa Bela Casa, we retained the original balcao, Mangalore tiles, and Portuguese windows, while sensitively introducing modern bathrooms, ambient
lighting, and comfortable bedding. It’s a conversation between past and present—where one complements, not competes with, the other.”
In a world of ultra-luxury resorts, what’s the power of small?
“In a world obsessed with scale, small offers soul. The intimacy of homestays allows for personalisation,
heartfelt conversations, and one-of-a-kind memories. Think breakfast tailored to your taste, a handwritten welcome note, or a host sharing the history of a 150-yearold family home. Luxury today is about being seen, known, and remembered—and that’s the magic small formats naturally allow.”
What does sustainable, low-impact, high-value hospitality look like to you?
“It means creating meaningful experiences without compromising the environment, culture, or community. We focus on adaptive reuse of homes, support hyperlocal sourcing, and consciously avoid overdevelopment. But sustainability also means emotional longevity—experiences that leave guests enriched—and economic viability, where local caretakers, artisans, and hosts benefit. It’s about value with values.”
How involved are homeowners in shaping the guest experience?
“Our homeowners are the heart of the SaffronStays story. They’re the storytellers, the historians, and often, the
chefs. We empower them to share their legacy—through cuisine, architecture, and conversation. This co-creation
ensures that no two stays are alike, and every experience is deeply rooted in authenticity.”
How do you maintain consistency in emotional hospitality across such a wide geographic spread?
“We’ve developed a robust framework that blends empathy with training. Our caretakers are chosen
for their warmth, then trained in both technical service and emotional intelligence. From remembering a
guest’s tea preference to anticipating their needs before they ask—emotional hospitality can’t be taught
in scripts, but it can be nurtured through care, consistency, and culture.”
Tell us about a SaffronStays home that surprised you or pushed your understanding of what a homestay can be.
“SaffronStays AwwsanjA – Titaly in Murbad completely transformed my perception. It’s India’s first earthsheltered hobbit home—burrowed into the Sahyadris, with 360° views of Machindragad and Gorakhgad. It’s a stunning blend of sustainability, creativity, and quiet luxury. There’s no marble, no chandeliers—just earth, air, and pure imagination. It reminded me that today’s true luxury isn’t about excess. It’s about originality, privacy, and emotional richness.”
