Hotel/Guesthouse in Haridwar?

I'm heading to India for 3 weeks in March. It will be my first trip, and this forum has given me invaluable preparation tips. Thanks to those who created it, and to all of you who post here!

I plan to stay one night in Haridwar on my way from Delhi to Rishikesh (my train from Delhi arrives at 7:30 pm, and I don't want to make the taxi drive to Rishikesh in the dark). I checked all the previous threads here, but found none on accommodations in Haridwar. Does anyone have any suggestions or tales of joy/woe regarding a nice hotel or guesthouse? (I'm not on a shoestring budget, BTW, but a good deal is always appreciated.)

Thanks!

We stayed at Hotel Neelkant in Haridwar. If I can recall, it seemed like a pretty nice place and the rooms weren't bad at all. They were reasonably priced and the service was ok.

You can try contacting them via email at booking@hotelneelkant.com or via telephone at 01334-241466. You obviously need to add the international code for India if dialing from overseas.

Oh, the hotel is located at Maa Shakti Complex, Haridwar By Pass Road, Haridwar.

Hope this helps.

Great! Thanks, Avnish. I'll check it out.

The HPTDC tourist hotel is just a few minutes walk away from Haridwar railway station - turn right when you leave the station and it's on the left hand side of the road.

It's comfortable enough and they do meals. It's also handy if you want to take a bus to Rishikesh the next morning from the bus station, just opposite the railway station.

Thanks, Alan. In general, do you think it's worth it to book in advance, or just go and see what's available? I have no idea how busy things will be in March. I don't think it's "high season", but since it's my first time, I have no feel for the situation.

I can't really say. We very seldom book anywhere in advance except perhaps our first night in Delhi.

I would have thought it should be OK at that time of year.

If you want to have the satisfaction that a room is waiting for you then you could book somewhere in advance. I'm not sure if HPTDC accepts overseas booking though.

You could try it first and if it's full go somewhere else. There's no shortage of hotels in Haridwar and I see from your post you only need a place for overnight.

sorry, slip of the brain there Harper!

It's not HPTDC, it's Uttaranchal Tourism's Rahi hotel - welcoming management, comfortable room and a reasonably good vegetarian thali dinner.

I think it was about 400rupees double nonAC - you won't need AC in March!

I think you're travelling on the Jan Shatabdi, same as we did last time we went to Rishikesh - good choice!

400 Rupees, eh? Sounds like a great deal! Thanks again.

BTW, what's your assessment of the mosquito situation in Haridwar/Rishikesh that time of year? Should I buy a net?

We usually carry a lightweight net but I don't recall having to use it in the Rishikesh area.

If you spot any about, you could use repellent/coils/plug in deterrent and cover up.

I just don't think there's enough stagnant water lying around there in March for mosquitoes to be a hazard.

As a general rule, for some reason, you don't get as many mosquitoes on the upper floors of buildings.

Hi - just made a dead thread alive. When I searched with the string "Haridwar Hotel thread", I got only 4 hits! Can't believe it's that low!

Anyway, we are looking for a place where we will get in late afternoon/early evening, will then go and see Ganga arati, come back, dine and sleep to catch a 6 AM morning train. Probably males a lot of sense to stay at GMVN Rahi Motel. How is it's present condition, has anyone been there recently?

Another group of ours with 1 elderly couple would stay at Haridwar for 2 nights, and one of their main attractions are bathing in Ganges and Gangararti + usual sight seeing. Would the same place be recommended? I understand that Raho Motel is a good 10-15 mins walk from Ganges.

Please advise.