Yuvraj Singh’s beautiful Goa home, Casa Singh, is a wash of blue and white, oozing relaxed vibes. Blue in fact has been an integral colour of Yuvraj’s life, him in that blue India cricket jersey, weaving a million dreams for close to two decades. And come October, Casa Singh can drive away a few of your blues, just like Yuvraj’s six sixes did, an indelible memory, as he becomes the first international cricketer from India to host on Airbnb. The exclusive one-time-only stay is for a group of six at Casa Singh from October 14-16, bookable on airbnb.com/yuvrajsingh, at Rs 1,212-plus (Yuvraj was born on December 12 and his jersey number was 12), per night. The star cricketer chatted with The Telegraph about what to expect, the fatherhood journey and the viral photograph with Sachin Tendulkar.
The Goa home looks lovely! When was this built? The architecture is so different...
I built this home five years ago and I truly believe that it was one of the best decisions I made. My love for travel and my various experiences while travelling around the globe have in a way inspired the architecture of this home. Named ‘Casa Singh’ and located in North Goa, this Airbnb home is perched on a hilltop with spectacular 180-degree panoramic views of the sea. It is just a few minutes away from the beach and embodies a nautical theme with a serene combination of white and blue as its primary colours.
What are your most special memories in this house?
I have many fond memories from our home in Goa. In fact, we hosted our wedding reception brunch at ‘Casa Singh’ where all our close family members and friends gathered to congratulate and give us their blessings. That day truly holds a very special place in my heart.
Outdoor Dining
What are your favourite corners?
It’s hard to pick, but I absolutely love the sundowner deck overlooking the sea and the greens. It’s where I like spending some time with myself, or just watching the sunset in the evening. Not only is the view breathtaking but coming up here gives me a sense of peace and calm.
Why did you decide on throwing open this house as an Airbnb?
I am excited to open the doors of my Goa home through this exclusive partnership with Airbnb. I have always loved interacting with my fans, and this collaboration was the perfect opportunity for me to do so in a way that has hardly ever been done before. ‘Casa Singh’ is an extremely personal space for me, a second home where I share so many memories with my friends and family. To open the doors of such a private space for my fans, for them to experience a day in my life would not be possible without Airbnb. Airbnb’s success has always been in fostering human connections and making experiences more authentic, and I feel such collaborations are testament to that, so, I am extremely excited to be a part of one such iconic campaign.
Living Room
Have you ever stayed in one? Tell us about your most exotic Airbnb experience...
Hazel and I have not had the chance to travel with Airbnb yet, but I am hoping that changes in the coming months! Japan is a destination that I would love to explore with Hazel (wife) and Orion (son), and I am hoping that now with Airbnb we can finally tick this off our bucket list. Working with Airbnb has really given us some insight into how they function and the part a host plays in taking your trip to the next level, and I would love for my family to experience that. Travelling with a little kid can be daunting, but I think finding a home away from home with Airbnb would be the best way to travel. By hosting my own home, I have personally experienced the amount of effort that goes into being an Airbnb Host. I have planned the perfect Goan getaway for my guests and am hoping to experience the same when I travel soon.
What is the Yuvraj touch that guests can expect?
I want the guests to be able to experience the warmth and memories that this house holds. As a part of this stay experience, the guests will get a sneak peek into my life. The special stay includes a virtual meet and greet with me, curated meals throughout the stay with some of my favourite food, sundowner on the outdoor deck, an e-bike tour of a nearby tropical island, as well as personalised keepsakes as souvenirs and more. I just want the guests to be comfortable, and have a great and memorable experience from this stay.
Straight on Bedroom
Is Goa a favourite vacay destination?
I really like visiting Goa with my friends and family to spend some quality time together. I believe that this place offers the best of both worlds. It has a very energetic, upbeat vibe and at the same time, is perfect for those looking to unwind. I love exploring the beaches here or spending an evening at a shack. The vibe in Goa is fantastic throughout the year, so it doesn’t matter if I am heading out or staying in, I can always unwind from the humdrum of everyday life.
How is fatherhood treating you?
My fatherhood journey has been extremely special and overwhelming. The feeling of finally holding my little puttar in my arms cannot be expressed in words. I learn something new every day, and with every first experience that comes your way it feels like an occasion that has to be celebrated. Whenever Hazel was away, and I had to take care of Orion myself I used to get worried. I would call my friends and family and ask for tips on how to take care of my little one. I have learnt everything over the past few months, from changing his nappy to swaddling him and even helping my little baby burp. It has been a dream come true and I am excited for my journey as a father. I cannot wait to take him to our Goa home, teach him how to swim and take him to the beach. I believe that the first few years are very important for a child, and I want to be there with him, and for him.
Master Bedroom
Tell us about the picture Sachin Tendulkar posted of all of you which has gone viral...
The picture posted is about Sachin and I on our way to represent India in the Road Safety World Series 2022. Cricket in India is more than just a sport, it is an emotion. To sport the colour blue and get onto the field, with the nation’s hopes riding on you is a feeling that is unmatched. To me, the most appealing part of being in the Indian cricket team is the love I receive from my fans. While we are playing for the nation, our fans rest all their hopes on us. I perform the way I do because I want to make them proud. My fans have always been by my side, their affection is priceless and has been constant even when I haven’t performed my best.
Pictures: House/ still photographs by Fabien Charuau; Yuvraj Singh photographs by Prabhat Shetty
How to book: Bookings open at 1pm IST on September 28 at airbnb.com/yuvrajsingh
