Booking a Farmhouse With a Pool? Nine Things to Check First
Pool depth, kids' sections, safety gear, supervision rules and timings vary by property. A practical checklist for families booking a farmhouse with a pool.
Why this is worth ten minutes
A private pool is the reason a very large share of farmhouse bookings happen. It is also the one feature on the property that can genuinely go wrong, and unlike a hotel pool there is usually no lifeguard, no posted depth board, and no one watching except you. None of that makes farmhouse pools dangerous. It makes them your responsibility, which is a different thing — and it means a few minutes spent on the listing before you book is worth more than any amount of care on the day.
Before you book
1. Find the pool dimensions
Many of our listings state them outright — you will see figures like 13×28×5.5 ft, 30×15, 20×40×5.5. The third number, where it is given, is the depth, and it is the one that matters. A pool with a uniform 5.5 ft depth is not a pool a seven-year-old can stand up in anywhere.
2. Check for a separate kids' pool
This is listed as its own amenity and it is not the same as a shallow end. A property with a dedicated kids' section — and a good number have one — changes what the afternoon looks like with under-tens. Some listings give both sets of dimensions.
3. Look for safety gear
A few properties mention it explicitly in their description. If yours does not, ask. Float rings and a reaching pole are not standard equipment on every farmhouse.
4. Confirm whether the pool is private or common
Our listings distinguish "Private Swimming Pool" from "Common Swimming Pool", and a handful of properties have both. A common pool at a resort-style property may be shared with other guests, which changes both the privacy and the supervision picture.
Gir Somnath at a glance
| Properties listed | 3 |
| Areas covered | 3 |
| With a private pool | 0 of 3 |
| With a children's pool | 2 of 3 |
| Weekday rates | ₹7,905 – ₹23,250 |
| Typical (median) | ₹8,370 |
| Day capacity | 30 – 50 guests |
| Best season | The park closes mid-June to mid-October; October to March is the season, December to February the peak |
When you arrive
5. Walk the pool edge before anyone gets in
Look for the depth change, check whether the steps have a handrail, and see how slippery the deck is when wet. Two minutes, before the children have their costumes on.
6. Agree who is watching, and when
The most common pattern in group bookings is that everyone assumes someone else is supervising. Name a person for each stretch of the afternoon, and swap. It sounds over-organised and it is the single most effective thing on this list.
7. Check the pool timings in the house rules
Several properties close the pool after dark, and that rule usually exists for a reason — poor lighting, no depth markings visible at night. Others restrict pool use during cleaning hours. It is in the rules on the listing.
8. Keep glass away from the deck
Obvious, routinely ignored, and the cause of most pool-related injuries at group bookings that are not drowning-related.
9. Know that alcohol and the pool do not mix
Some of our properties permit alcohol and some do not. Where it is permitted, the sensible rule is the same one you would apply at home.
Properties set up for young children
If a kids' pool is the deciding factor, it is worth filtering for it rather than hoping. A few examples across cities, each with a dedicated children's section:
- Vatican Serenity in Gir Somnath — a large pool with a separate circular kids' pool, plus a full children's playground on site.
- The White Lilly in Noida — a 5BHK with a kids' pool and a home theatre.
- Rupani Dhani in Gurugram — three acres, a 35×25 pool with a kids' section, and both indoor and outdoor games.
- Aranya in Moinabad, Hyderabad — a 45×20 pool with a kids' section, sized for fifty guests.
Or browse the family-oriented collections directly: Surat, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR and Lonavala.
What the depth figures actually mean
Farmhouse pools in India cluster around a few standard builds, and knowing them helps you read a listing quickly.
- Around 3 ft — genuinely shallow, usually a kids' pool. An adult stands comfortably; a small child does not, unsupervised.
- 4 to 4.5 ft — the most common "family" depth. Most adults can stand throughout, which is why these are the easiest pools to manage with a mixed group.
- 5 to 5.5 ft — very common on newer properties, and the figure that catches people out. A 5.5 ft uniform-depth pool has no shallow end at all. Plenty of adults cannot stand in it either.
- Sloped pools — where a listing gives a range rather than a single figure. Ask which end is which, because it is not always the end nearest the steps.
Where a property lists two pools with separate dimensions — an adult pool and a children's pool — you are getting the most usable arrangement for a family group, and it is worth paying a little more for.
One thing nobody puts in a checklist
Farmhouse pools are usually emptied and refilled between bookings, or treated and topped up. If you arrive and the water does not look right to you, say so before anyone swims. Owners would far rather refund or delay than deal with the alternative, and a caretaker is on site at most properties. You are not being difficult. You are the only person on the property whose job it is to notice.
Comparing what Gir Somnath offers
| Property | Where | Sleeps / by day | From (weekday) | Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vatican Serenity | Borvav | 50 / 50 | ₹7,905 | Common |
| White Wood Gir | Talala | 50 / 50 | ₹8,370 | Common |
| Prashiv Stay | Sasan | 30 / 30 | ₹23,250 | Common |
Work the total out for your actual headcount before comparing these. Above roughly twenty guests the per-person charge reorders the list more often than not.
The conversation to have with the property
Owners field pool questions constantly and answer them quickly. Four worth asking before you pay, in a single message:
- What are the pool dimensions, including depth? If the listing does not state them, ask. A uniform 5.5 ft pool and a sloped 3-to-5 ft pool are different products for a family.
- Is there a separate children's pool, and how deep is it? Some properties give both sets of figures — one listing in Navsari specifies an adult pool at 22×40×3 ft and a kids' pool at 22×18×2.5 ft, which is exactly the level of detail you want.
- Is safety equipment kept on site? Float rings, a reaching pole. A few listings state it; most do not, and it is worth knowing either way.
- When was the pool last cleaned, and is it cleaned between bookings? Most properties drain or treat between guests and need a couple of hours to do it, which is also why check-in times are what they are.
What to do if something is wrong when you arrive
Say so before anyone swims, and say it to the caretaker rather than working around it. The water not looking right is the common one — cloudy, green at the edges, or with a strong chemical smell. Any of those is a reason to wait. Most properties have a caretaker on site who can either fix it within an hour or tell you honestly that they cannot, and owners would overwhelmingly rather hear about it at two o'clock than deal with a sick child at six. The other one is depth that does not match the listing. This happens occasionally, usually because a pool has been topped up or partially drained. If the shallow end is not where you were told it would be, re-plan the afternoon around it rather than assuming the children will remember. Neither conversation is awkward in practice. You are the only person on the property whose job it is to notice, and everybody involved knows that.
Frequently asked questions
Can we organize small gatherings or events at the villa?+
Yes, small family gatherings are allowed, but prior permission is required.
How far is the property from Gir Safari Park?+
The property is just 10 km from the Gir Safari entry point.
Are meals included in the booking price?+
Yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in the package.
Is this farmhouse or villa fully private or will it be shared with other guests?+
When you book Vatican Serenity in Borvav, the entire property is reserved exclusively for your group. You will not have to share the space with other guests.
What does Vatican Serenity cost?+
The slot rate is ₹7,905 on a weekday and ₹7,905 at the weekend.
How many properties are there in Gir Somnath?+
We currently list 3 in and around Gir Somnath, 2 of which have a separate children's pool.
When is the best time to book near Gir Somnath?+
The park closes mid-June to mid-October; October to March is the season, December to February the peak. If your dates can move at all, a weekday booking saves between a quarter and half the rate, which is more than switching to a cheaper property usually achieves.
Can I book for the day without staying the night?+
Yes. Most properties sell a half day and a full day as well as an overnight, and the day slot is what a birthday or a family lunch usually needs. It is also why the day-time guest limit is often several times the sleeping capacity.