Imagine spaces that offer elderly guests the comforts of a hotel, like custom meals, accessible walkways, and thoughtfully designed community activities that encourage interaction. In India’s hospitality sector, senior-friendly hotels that actively foster social engagement are still relatively new, but the concept is steadily gaining ground.
Priya Living, founded by California-based hotelier and entrepreneur Arun Paul, began its India operations in Gurugram in February last year, followed by Hyderabad in April.
Originally launched in 2013 in Fremont and Santa Clara as a senior-focused facility, Priya Living soon drew a more diverse demographic. “The inspiration came from my parents,” says Arun, during a visit to Hyderabad. “I wanted to create a place where they could connect with others. We are becoming increasingly disconnected, and I did not want older adults like them to feel isolated.”
What began as a space for seniors quickly evolved. Friends and families began visiting, alongside solo travellers and younger guests, particularly Indian immigrants, many of whom, Arun notes, said the space felt like home. “The older residents also appreciated the multi-generational interactions. It did not feel like an old-age home. Every generation needs peers, but they also need room to grow.”
Holiday, their way
The flexible stay model, Arun explains, has been a key draw for older adults looking to spend a few months in the United States. “As families become more global, we noticed that many visiting Indian parents valued their independence. They didn’t want to limit themselves to their children’s homes. It can get lonely when everyone is away at work, and they wanted lives of their own rather than simply supporting their families.” Over time, guests began arriving not just from India, but also from Canada, the UK and Singapore.
Facilities for sports at Priya Living Hyderabad
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Special Arrangement
At the US properties, a month-long stay costs around $3,000 (approximately ₹2,80,000). In Gurgaon and Hyderabad, prices start at ₹7,500 per day. “The biggest challenge in the US is staffing, which drives up costs. In India, we’re able to offer 24/7 dining, concierge services and security,” Arun adds.
Priya Living launched in Gurugram in February 2025 and in Hyderabad in April 2025, and the next phase of expansion includes Ahmedabad and Vadodara — cities chosen for their strong diaspora connections. “We studied over 20 markets before starting with Delhi-NCR as our northern hub and Hyderabad as the southern hub,” he says.
The move to India was also shaped by demand. “Many of our repeat guests in San Francisco kept asking if we had a presence in India,” Arun notes. “There’s also a shift happening here, owning an apartment can limit mobility, and there is a growing segment that values flexibility and travel.”
Faiyaz Ansari, general manager of Priya Living Hyderabad, is careful with terminology. He avoids labels such as “senior living” or “assisted living”, which often carry connotations of long-term retirement housing. Instead, he refers to it as “the third stage of life” when describing guests over 50, and prefers the term “multi-generational living” to reflect a more inclusive community. While many residents are in their 50s and 60s, the property has also welcomed guests well into their 70s.
Apartment-style rooms
On the day of my visit to Priya Living Hyderabad at Nallagandla, I met Sakal Jain and Asha Jain, residents of Indore who were in Hyderabad for a short stay. Their son, based in the US, had booked the facility for them. They spoke of its calming environment and easy, accommodating approach — flexible takeaway breakfast options and relaxed checkout timings — as a welcome departure from conventional hotels. The menu, too, reflects this balance: sandwiches, soups and salads sit alongside local favourites such as Hyderabadi dum biryani, North Indian staples like paneer tikka, and international options including Thai curry with jasmine rice.
The Hyderabad facility has 124 rooms, tailored in the format of 1BHK apartments. Typically the hotel has witnessed guests visiting the city on short visits. Older adults have discovered the hotel on their own or their children have booked them in.
Designed by Namita Kapoor, the 80,000 square foot property resists a singular aesthetic. Instead, it moves between moods and functions. The Incubator, a set of meeting rooms on the ground floor, is available for guests who wish to conduct business, acknowledging that many older adults continue to pursue active professional and creative lives.
The meeting rooms are vibrant, with one wall echoing the glitz of lac bangles from Charminar’s Lad Bazaar, while the spacious dining areas are more muted in tone. A lounge aptly named Sanctuary lives up to its name, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking a lush garden.
An interactive session
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Special Arrangement
Wide corridors allow natural light to stream in, while a mural of Amitabh Bachchan greets guests at one end. The Cinema — a home theatre for curated screenings — is lined with black-and-white portraits of Indian film legends.
A spa, fitness centre, and a sunset terrace, designed as a flexible space for morning yoga or evening gatherings, round out the amenities. All of it, Faiyaz explains, is intended to encourage interaction among guests.
Faiyaz adds that paramedical care is available on request, with tie-ups in place with nearby hospitals — Aksha Hospitals and Citizens Specialty Hospital — for emergencies.
An added bonus is the pet-friendly approach across all Priya Living properties. As Arun puts it, “Pets are part of our families, so why not?”
Published – April 07, 2026 07:00 am IST
