“You don’t need massive funding to build something meaningful. In fact, constraints can often fuel creativity. When you stay obsessed with customer experience and stay patient with your growth, the brand builds itself. I used to believe capital was the biggest barrier in this space. Now I know that clarity, grit, and consistency are far more valuable.”
30 Under 30 recipient, Anish Deshpande, first noticed a change in traveler habits during his engineering days when his weekend escapes felt more meaningful than spending time in crowded hotels. Soon enough, he realised that people craved privacy and personal connection over shared spaces, and that led him to his entrepreneurial journey.
Anish began his professional career at Saffron Stays and Palatial Stays, which made him understand the ringside view of luxury villa operations and revealed the gaps in service and experience. He also learned how to manage stays and saw a gaping opportunity for more personalized getaways.
In March 2023, Anish launched Deshco Holidays with the goal of making private villas, palaces, and boutique hotels accessible to modern travelers. He handpicks homes within driving distance of Mumbai and Delhi as well as iconic spots in Goa, Rajasthan, and the North Indian hills.
Currently, Deshco Holidays does more than book stays. Each property is designed to immerse guests in a lifestyle usually reserved for the country’s most exclusive homes. The guests get to live a new story rather than just visit a place. In an exclusive chat with Entrepreneurs Today, Anish reveals,
“The idea of creating aspirational travel experiences was at the heart of Deshco Holidays. I wanted to offer more than a place to stay. I wanted every guest to feel what it’s like to live inside a dream. From architecture to amenities to the hospitality of the on-ground staff, every element is personally curated. Our homes aren’t just listed, they’re handpicked, serviced with intention, and offered with the kind of warmth that makes guests return, time and again.”
A Competitive Edge
Gaining a foothold in a market that is overly saturated can be daunting. With a glint of passion in his eyes, Anish walks us through the factors that differentiate them in the market. He believes that what makes Deshco Holidays stand apart in an overly saturated market is that they offer drive-to luxury. Anish explains,
“Our exclusive inventory of villas within easy driving distance of major cities lets guests escape without the friction of long travel itineraries.”
They are also known for assimilating luxury with a personalised touch by training their team to learn each guest’s preferences and anticipate needs from the first call through to checkout. He asserts,
“We provide a kind of service where staff greet you with a genuine smile and remember your preferences without being told twice.”
Instead of aggregating every listing, they curate and standardise each property to meet exacting standards of privacy, style, and operational excellence. Behind the scenes, they use robust standard operating procedures, tech-enabled coordination, and a zero-compromise approach to housekeeping and dining.
This proximity, heartfelt service and curated experience ensure that every stay with Deshco Holidays feels effortlessly elegant and uniquely memorable.
Navigating Troubles
The journey has not been a cakewalk for Anish, and there were numerous challenges along the way. Deshco Holidays struggled to find and train staff, especially in remote locations. Anish had to spend months building a team that could deliver his vision of intuitive, anticipatory service far from major city hubs.
Another challenge they initially faced was unpredictable weather. Monsoon rains and winter chills disrupted supply chains and guest arrivals, forcing the team to adapt operations at a moment’s notice while keeping service levels high.
Additionally, running on thin margins in the early months meant every decision mattered. Anish bootstrapped the business with minimal investment and treated each setback as a lesson. Over time, he made sure to turn all operations into a replicable process, laying the foundation for steady, sustainable growth.
A Rewarding Journey
One of the major accomplishments for Deshco Holidays has been growing from a handful of properties to over one hundred keys across India.
It was honoured with the Times Hospitality Icon Award 2024 and featured in leading publications such as ET Now and Business Standard.
For now, Anish and his team are gearing up for their next growth phase by partnering with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Airbnb and MakeMyTrip. The vision is to raise Deshco Holidays’ profile and bring their curated stays to a wider audience.
Soon, they will start working on their ties with leading hospitality brands and extend their portfolio beyond India’s borders. This will be done while making sure that each new property follows the same standards of privacy and personalised service that guests have come to expect.
Through their parent group, Anish is also exploring an asset-light model that blends real estate with sustainable luxury. He believes this approach will redefine how people travel, offering seamless experiences that honour both comfort and the environment. With a head full of dreams for Deshco Holidays, Anish leaves a note for bussing entrepreneurs. He highlights,
“Don’t be afraid to start small. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Begin with what you have, build with what you learn, and believe in the vision only you can see. The world doesn’t need another startup. It needs more stories worth telling. And this is just the beginning of mine.”
