At-Home Oasis

Come summer months and searches for ‘swimming pool’ surges on Google. After seeing those images of opulent infinity pools, don’t we all wish to lounge in them after a hectic day of work? Especially now that we have so few ways to unwind when locked at home. Or how about a massage in a 6-seater Jacuzzi? The possibilities are endless, and Millennium Pools and Desjoyaux Pools are helping clients achieve them. Ranging from Rs.300,000 to Rs.30 million, swimming pools built by these companies can transform ordinary pieces of land into laps of luxury.

Founded in 1988, Millennium Pools was the brain-child of Suresh Bajaj, who comes from a family of swimmers. At the time, many people were looking to have access to better pools in personal and public spaces. “So, Millennium Pools saw an opportunity to bring advanced pool engineering practices from global markets to our local conditions. And, that’s what the team has been doing for over 30 years now,” says Malay Shah, CEO of Millennium Pools.

From ozone systems, fog nozzles and cascading water features to underwater music and gym equipment, the company addresses its clients’ every demand. They can also indulge you with their soft landscaping services around the pool and build gazebos, pergolas and fireplaces. Sometimes, it can take as long as a few months to build a perfect pool and surroundings, says Shah. The most bespoke project undertaken by the team was a heated swimming pool with a 6-seater jacuzzi for Rs.22.5 million.

“Several variables determine the cost,” explains Shah. For instance, you can have the tiles in porcelain, mosaic or even hand-painted. “One client wanted the tiles to create a family photograph. Another wanted the pool to be shaped like the company logo, which wasn’t very easy to reproduce,” he recollects. When the clientele includes the likes of cricketer Rahul Dravid, businesswoman Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and actor Mohan Lal, one can only imagine the range of customisation with each project.

While Millennium Pools has installed over 7,500 pools across the country, Desjoyaux Pools has crossed the 1,500 mark. “We have been selling pools since 2000 and have tied up with Desjoyaux Piscines of France to bring the best technology to India,” says Sanjay Patel, MD, Desjoyaux Pools. Here too, the clients’ demands are the company’s commands. Turbo jets for counter currents, reflexology for head and shoulder massage, robotic cleaner, automatic pool cover, multi color lights; you ask for it and they will have it installed. In addition to personal pools, the company has also built Olympic-sized pools, costing over Rs.30 million, for Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy in Navi Mumbai and Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad.

Apart from a 10-year structural and no-leakage guarantee, Desjoyaux Pools also assures fastest pool-installation in the market. Starting from excavation to the final filling of water, standard-size pools can be completed in a few days, claims Patel. “We do not include landscaping of pool deck in our scope as these are not standard and each client has his/her own requirement,” he explains.

Varying timelines aside, both companies offer turnkey solutions to their clients. This includes regular vacuuming, skimming debris, balancing chemicals and testing water to maintain the beauty and hygiene of pools. This explains why many people opt for renovating their existing pools by these companies.

“There is a trend towards a lifestyle which includes personal health and relaxation space. Swimming pool factors highly in to it,” says Shah adding that it will likely drive the growth of this market. And, he is right. After all, when the world is looking grim, who wouldn’t want to go for a quick swim right in their backyard?