good hotel in Varanasi and/or around

Layla

What's a good hotel in Veranasi and in its surrounding area?

Many thanks.

Layla

steven_ber

Layla, members are unlikely to use there free time to reply to a thread if they think there's an 80% chance they'll be wasting their time.

You MUST give more information if you want replies that will be useful to you.

Tell people if you want spotted ducks on the wallpaper, if someone has stayed in such a place they will feel wonderful in telling you about it.

Seriously though, Rs100 a night or Rs25000 a night?

By the river or the train station?

New or old?

Shower or bath?

Restaurant or not?

And add anything that you'd like to see in a hotel, people can't point you in the right direction if they don't know what you want.

Try the following link for some ideas.

Hotel section - Uttar Pradesh + search Varanasi.

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Darmabum

to chose from. It would help if I knew your budget . . . I stayed in what I consider a good hotel, and paid Rs100/night - double room, attached bathroom, great owners, but again, for Rs100, you get what you get . . . also, do you like to be in the middle of the action, say around the main ghat (Dasashawamedh) or stay - as I do, in a (relatively) quieter part of town? . . . So much depends on the amentities you're expecting. Though I've never stayed at the hotel Alka, it seems to get consistently good comments. I stay in the south end of town, near Asi ghat and there are several at that end that are good ones: Hotel Temple on Ganges; Ganges View (pricey but amazing); Hotel Haifa (modern building but always very clean). Check out the hotel listings section on this site.

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angbish

We were looking for a nice hotel as Varanasi is our last stop so we chose Hotel Ganges View which is INR 3000/night. No idea if this is within your budget or not though...

incitatus

Here are some hotels in Varanasi I have stayed in over the years.

On the Holy River

Scindhia Guest House- Scindhia Ghat
Home
Nice and clean,good sized rooms.Unfortunately it's adjacent to the burning ghat so there's lots of charred flesh fumes in the air as you relax on the balcony with the superb river views.

At Meer Ghat
Hotel Alka- Hotel Alka - Varansi
and Hotel Ganapati - Ganpati Guest House in varanasi
Both easily accessible- great river views -reasonable food.

Vishnu Rest House at Pandey Ghat-haven't stayed here for 20 years.Great river views.

At Lahurabir- midway between the Ghats and the Cantonment-
Hotel Buddha-I stayed here for 1 week last year but have lost their business card.
It's clean with a decent restaurant.
Nearby is the Hotel Pradeep-which thinks it's a 3-star hotel these days and charges accordingly.The restaurants are highly recommended.

Cantonment- I used to stay in the Tourist Bungalow but now if I wish to stay in this area I use the Hotel Surya
Welcome ...to your private paradise
Swimmingpool and loads of posh hotels nearby for fine dining.
The place to stay if you want to get away from India for a while.

Double rooms start at about Rs150 at the Vishnu Rest House and peak around Rs1000-1200 for the very best equipped rooms in the other hotels.
Websites ,where available ,will give details.
There are scores of other hotels and lodges available.

nedhopkins

I was quite pleased with Hotel Palace on Ganges. It's at Assi Ghat, the last going up river. See my IM review under Hotels ... Uttar Pradesh ... Varanasi -- or the hotel's website:

intro

guidedeba

Generally I place my group at Hotel Pradeep. Not on the Ganges but conveniently placed. Middle range (Same owner of palace on Ganges). best food & nice rooms. You can check on hotelpradeep.com
their webprice is a little high. you can book through some travel agent.

tonylittle

ii stayed at the hotel Surya last year only 750 per night and that with A/C and a pool, the food is great

Layla

Hi Steven, you are absolutely correct! My apologies for the short, curt post. My only defence is that I was under pressure because (a) I was at work and I am not supposed to look through Mike forum and (b) my friend did not seem to find a decent place where to stay, so he asked me... and I asked you...LOL!

The story goes like this: we ( my friend and I) will be in Veranasi on August 15th till 19th; we are planning to do some sightseeing outside Veranasi too; we are travellers more than tourists and we would like to stay (a) near the river and ghats (b) we were looking to spend anything from 2000INR to 4000INR for the accommodation (c) I guess what I wanted was to hear about good value and quality of service for the money paid..

Nevertheless, many thanks for all of you who have posted a reply to my bare query

Layla

Darmabum

I'd stay at the Ganges View Hotel, at Asi Ghat. I stayed there for a month last year. It's a Classic place. Old family home, beautifully maintained. Paintings everywhere, they do cultural programs (music, dance, painting, etc) during the season. We stayed in (I think?) Room #9, on the second floor. Had an enclosed glass patio with two chairs, table, view to the life on the walk below (the main path to the ghat) good sunrise views and views across the river. Staff is very helpful. They also have two HUGE dacshunds. They can serve you a simple breakfast, and dinner if planned for in advance. On the second/third floor there is a great open patio, nicely planted, that faces east. If you're going during "the season" make reservations in advance.

machadinha

Stupid question maybe: When is "the season"? I'm guessing Oct.-Feb.'ish, or just around XMas-NYE time?

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Layla

I ended up staying at the Palace on Ganges - Adi Ghat - ...top suite...wonderful view ...4500 rupies.. it was worth it!

comet

I'm trying to book a place. I hear its hard to get back to Scindhia Guest House through dark alleys.
Is Hotel Alka a better option?
I'm only staying 2 nights and my budget is up to 900 max.

paulie90

I would point out that all streets and alleys are dark as there are no street lights!
Using a bike rickshaw is cheap and best way to find your way about at night,the front desk people can help you in this respect.

Swe_Mats

Sounds like all you hays stayed at expensive hotels down by the riverside. I found a place for 60 rupies per night, maybe not the most beautiful, but the manager was great, good food and I had a really good time.

I would recomend staying in one of the not expensive guesthouses, and walk around i Varanasi by your self, wake up at 5 in the morning. Take a boat on The Ganges. Stay up and take advadtage of the hospitality in the Indian people. Everybody loves Varanasi