Mid-range Varanasi accommodation

Marky · Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:14

Hi,

Im looking for somewhere that is relatively cheap but not a dump. Happy to pay about $800 for a double room.

I've been advised that the following places are ok, do you have any comments on them?

Ganpati Guest House
Hotel Sonmony
Alka hotel
Tiwari Lodge
Leela Guest House
Ganges View Guest House

Thanks,
Mark

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:22

Did you say $ 800 ?

Marky · Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:23

My God im a stupid head! I meant 800R

Jorge Reverter · Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:28

I suggest Scindhia Guesthouse, in my opinion a very good option at the ghats. They have a web page and you can book the troom on line.

Jorge

Have a look at the view from the room

Marky · Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorge Reverter

I suggest Scindhia Guesthouse, in my opinion a very good option at the ghats. They have a web page and you can book the troom on line.

Jorge

Have a look at the view from the room

Are the rooms protected from unwanted monkey guests?

somnath · Jan 2nd, 2007, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marky

Are the rooms protected from unwanted monkey guests?

ha ha ha..... what a qustn !!!!!
Scindhia is a good option

. And my favorite place in Varanasi is Hotel Lara India. Really clean room, good room service and just great Location: http://www.hotellaraindia.com/location.htm

You can try this.

Marky · Jan 2nd, 2007, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by somnath

http://www.hotellaraindia.com/location.htm

Can't find a price list on this site.

Jorge Reverter · Jan 2nd, 2007, 20:33

Marky,

Don't worry about the monkeys if you take a little care and common sense. I was there last month and I'll go again next time. The only thing is that you are too close to Manikarnika Ghat (burning ghat) and may be you don´t like the smell.... (not serious

Jorge

Marky · Jan 2nd, 2007, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorge Reverter

Marky,

Don't worry about the monkeys if you take a little care and common sense. I was there last month and I'll go again next time. The only thing is that you are too close to Manikarnika Ghat (burning ghat) and may be you don´t like the smell.... (not serious

Jorge

Scindhia Guesthouse looks great, excellent prices and the rooms look perfect.

What is it that they burn at the burning Ghat? It isn't animal excrement is it?

mt.kailash · Jan 3rd, 2007, 08:01

It's not animal excrement ,it's dead bodies.
Which is the main problem with the Scindhia Guesthouse.
If you don't know Varanasi well the only way of getting there is along the ghats which means you have to cross the burning ghat to reach it-no problem there except that helpful locals rush up and assure you that it's fine to gawp and provide details of the cremation processes.
Also-in all seasons except the monsoon, the prevailing wind is from the west wafting odour of charred corpse and woodsmoke up to your spacious balcony.
Although I've stayed there I much prefer the Alka or Ganapati
which are close by ,have river views ,and NO burning corpses on view.
Away from the ghats the Hotel Buddha in Lahubrir is a good choice.Nice rooms, non veg restaurant (beer......)

iwanttogoback · Jan 3rd, 2007, 08:06

Ganpati Guest House

i stayed there - fantastic views, close to the main ghat, friendly helpful staff, good food (although no shelter from the sun on the roof apart from a few tables having umbrellas), and a really nice courtyard you could sit and have a coffee in.

the rooms were very basic, but clean, the mattresses very thin, and the shared bathrooms were ok. they were cleaned daily, but you know what it's like after a few hours...

oh, and lots of monkeys, but they tended to stay away.

i think we paid about 100 rupee per night per person for shared rooms.

and i think i've posted a pic in my gallery, under the view from my room.

somnath · Jan 3rd, 2007, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marky

Can't find a price list on this site.

You can ask them. email ID is given there: info@hotellaraindia.com BTW, Rs.500 is enough to get a decent room(double bed) there.

Apurva · Jan 3rd, 2007, 13:35

Consider A Palace on River (Rashmi Guest House)
http://www.meratrip.com/h/140

Marky · Jan 3rd, 2007, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwanttogoback

Ganpati Guest House
oh, and lots of monkeys, but they tended to stay away.

Im guessing the monkeys didn't have easy access to the rooms? They wouldn't be able to get in and steal my clothes for example?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwanttogoback

and i think i've posted a pic in my gallery, under the view from my room.

How do I get to your gallery?

freenote · Jan 3rd, 2007, 15:32

Alka hotel ,stayed there twice .It's a bit nearer the main ghat then the Scindhia ,the view over the Ganges tends to take your breath away (all veiws over the Ganges tend to do this )a decent restaurant ,we have met people who were staying at the Scindhia , who preferred eating at the Alka ,and the rooms if somewhat sparten are clean and do the job .Price , if i remember correctly was in the region of 400/500 irs .and the monkeys are kept at bay .enjoy.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:14	#1
Marky Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 97	Mid-range Varanasi accommodation Hi, Im looking for somewhere that is relatively cheap but not a dump. Happy to pay about $800 for a double room. I've been advised that the following places are ok, do you have any comments on them? Ganpati Guest House Hotel Sonmony Alka hotel Tiwari Lodge Leela Guest House Ganges View Guest House Thanks, Mark Last edited by machadinha : Jan 3rd, 2007 at 16:02. Reason: moved to varanasi forum

Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:28	#4
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,146	I suggest Scindhia Guesthouse, in my opinion a very good option at the ghats. They have a web page and you can book the troom on line. Jorge Have a look at the view from the room Attached Thumbnails

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Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:22	#2
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	Did you say $ 800 ?

Jan 2nd, 2007, 17:23	#3
Marky Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 97	My God im a stupid head! I meant 800R

Jan 2nd, 2007, 20:33	#8
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,146	Marky, Don't worry about the monkeys if you take a little care and common sense. I was there last month and I'll go again next time. The only thing is that you are too close to Manikarnika Ghat (burning ghat) and may be you don´t like the smell.... (not serious Jorge

Jan 3rd, 2007, 08:01	#10
mt.kailash Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: hurn Posts: 99	It's not animal excrement ,it's dead bodies. Which is the main problem with the Scindhia Guesthouse. If you don't know Varanasi well the only way of getting there is along the ghats which means you have to cross the burning ghat to reach it-no problem there except that helpful locals rush up and assure you that it's fine to gawp and provide details of the cremation processes. Also-in all seasons except the monsoon, the prevailing wind is from the west wafting odour of charred corpse and woodsmoke up to your spacious balcony. Although I've stayed there I much prefer the Alka or Ganapati which are close by ,have river views ,and NO burning corpses on view. Away from the ghats the Hotel Buddha in Lahubrir is a good choice.Nice rooms, non veg restaurant (beer......)

Jan 3rd, 2007, 08:06	#11
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,571	Ganpati Guest House i stayed there - fantastic views, close to the main ghat, friendly helpful staff, good food (although no shelter from the sun on the roof apart from a few tables having umbrellas), and a really nice courtyard you could sit and have a coffee in. the rooms were very basic, but clean, the mattresses very thin, and the shared bathrooms were ok. they were cleaned daily, but you know what it's like after a few hours... oh, and lots of monkeys, but they tended to stay away. i think we paid about 100 rupee per night per person for shared rooms. and i think i've posted a pic in my gallery, under the view from my room.

Jan 3rd, 2007, 13:35	#13
Apurva Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New delhi Posts: 10	Consider A Palace on River (Rashmi Guest House) http://www.meratrip.com/h/140

Jan 3rd, 2007, 15:32	#15
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,532	Alka hotel ,stayed there twice .It's a bit nearer the main ghat then the Scindhia ,the view over the Ganges tends to take your breath away (all veiws over the Ganges tend to do this )a decent restaurant ,we have met people who were staying at the Scindhia , who preferred eating at the Alka ,and the rooms if somewhat sparten are clean and do the job .Price , if i remember correctly was in the region of 400/500 irs .and the monkeys are kept at bay .enjoy.

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