A Founder Story of Stay Ukiyo’s Rise to India’s Leading Villa Brand

Discover the inspiring journey of Stay Ukiyo—from a boutique villa startup to India’s Leading Villa Brand. Meet the founder, the team, and the vision behind the award-winning luxury rental company.

In a fast-growing industry of luxury travel and private hospitality, few brands have made an impact as swiftly and stylishly as Stay Ukiyo. What started as a curated collection of premium villas has today become one of India’s most trusted and award-winning villa rental companies.

Recently honoured as India’s Leading Brand – Rising Star 2024 at the Asian Brand & Leadership Conclave, Stay Ukiyo is not just about properties—it's about people, vision, and experiences.

Here’s the story behind the brand, its founder, and the passionate team that brought this dream to life.

🌱 The Vision: More Than Just Villas

Stay Ukiyo was born with a simple yet powerful idea—to redefine how India experiences private getaways.

While most vacation rentals focused on location or budget, Stay Ukiyo focused on feelings. What if your stay felt like home, but better? What if it was designed with intention, curated for calm, and elevated by personalized service?

With this philosophy in mind, the brand began curating villas that were not just luxurious, but soulful—balancing design, hospitality, and emotional comfort.

🧠 Meet the Founder: Shubham Pille

At the heart of Stay Ukiyo is its visionary founder, Shubham Pille. A passionate entrepreneur with a background in hospitality and real estate, Shubham understood early on that the future of travel was personal, experiential, and aesthetic.

From the beginning, he focused on:

Choosing villas with story and soul—not just size or price

Creating a team-first culture driven by service, design, and humility

Building a digital-first brand presence that was visually engaging and emotionally intelligent

Today, under his leadership, Stay Ukiyo manages over 40+ premium villas across Goa, Maharashtra, and beyond, and continues to expand with a focus on customer experience, community, and consistency.

🤝 The Team: Behind Every Great Stay

While the founder sets the vision, it’s the team that brings it to life every day. From guest relations to operations, villa onboarding to digital creatives, the Stay Ukiyo team is a blend of:

Hospitality Experts ensuring every stay feels seamless

Content Creators & Designers who make every space look and feel inviting

Sales & Support Champions who prioritize real-time guest experiences

On-Ground Property Managers who keep every villa guest-ready

The internal culture values empathy, attention to detail, and emotional intelligence—which shows in everything from the tone of guest conversations to the layout of a living room.

🏆 The Award: India’s Leading Brand – Rising Star 2024

The recognition by the Asian Brand & Leadership Conclave is more than just a title—it’s a testament to the team’s commitment, the founder’s clarity, and the guests' trust.

Why Stay Ukiyo Stood Out:

A rapidly growing portfolio of aesthetic, high-converting villas

Strong social media storytelling with an aspirational, yet relatable tone

Thoughtful villa experiences with in-house chefs, curated décor, and pet-friendly features

A clear brand promise: Luxury with warmth, exclusivity with humility

🏡 The Future: More Villas, More Stories

What’s next for Stay Ukiyo?

New Villas launching in Karnataka, Rajasthan, and international locations

Technology-driven guest experiences through a seamless booking platform

Brand collaborations with luxury, wellness, and design influencers

Expanding the community through pet-friendly stays, monsoon getaways, and offbeat destination villas

📣 Final Thoughts

Stay Ukiyo is not just about where you stay—it’s about how you feel while you stay.

The award is a milestone, but the mission is ongoing: to elevate every villa into a haven of peace, beauty, and comfort.

With Shubham Pille leading the way, and a dedicated team that lives and breathes hospitality, Stay Ukiyo continues to set a new standard in India’s villa rental space—one guest, one stay, and one story at a time.