news on hotels on the ganges?

yeshekathy

I am returning to Varanasi - this time with my husband and daughter, mid February '08. I've stayed at Alka or Ganpati about 8 years ago (can't quite work out which it was) and this time would like a little more comfort but still be right over the river.

We are disagreeing about whether to go as far as Assis Ghat. I like to be in the thick of things. Comments?

Any suggestions of new and lovely places to stay on the river? We are happy to pay about 3000Rs.

Also... how do we get information about music evenings we can attend while we are there (about 13th - 17th Feb)?

genesis

3000 will get you into Ganges View on Assi Ghat...(Also see my post on Sahi River View Guest House). Assi Ghat is much cleaner and now has many more restaurant options and is less of a "scene" than the more grubby backpacker areas (no offence meant). Interestingly Assi ghat has started organising its own competing arati though we went to the main on on Dasashwamedh Ghat for old times sake

Darmabum

I stayed there for a month in June of 2006. Great owner, great staff, gret views to the Ganges. Depending on the time of year you're there, Rs3000 can get you in there. During "the season" the Ganges View has wonderful cultural programs, many of them musical. If nothing is happening there during your stay, ask the owner, he's well versed (no pun intended) in the music scene. The Ganges View is an old family home and is in great condition, great ambiance, great paintings on the walls, in the rooms.

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anubisgrau

speaking of assi ghat, what is considered to be the best value there. what we want is a simple but clean place with a view over ganges. does temple on ganges fit or not? how far is it from the water?

yeshekathy

Thanks for the advice everyone, but we only have three nights in Varanasi this time so we've opted to be right in the middle of everything. We thought about splurging at the Temple on River but they wanted us to send money in advance for the entire stay through Western Union. This felt funny (although it was probably ok) so we have booked where we stayed back in 2000 - the Alka Hotel - right there above the main ghat... hopefully a good room. We get two rooms there for less than 1/2 the price of one room at Temple on River and we know the view is astounding (best room with bathroom and view 950Rs and another standard with bathroom 550Rs)

I'll try to let everyone know how it is. They certainly are very helpful and prompt with email answers... let's see how the booking is when we get there.

yeshekathy

but for those people who don't have to be at the ghats, I still recommend the Surya Hotel very highly. Stayed there last year on my own and loved every minute (except the long drives to the ghats because it's out in the cantonment area). The room was great (for 900Rs but there were cheaper ones too) and I had a balcony over the garden where there was a beautiful Indian wedding the first night (no they packed up as promised at 10.30pm and all was quiet). The restaurant is also a treat and the swimming pool looks great - if a bit cold for me in December. Try the very oily Ayuervedic massage there too - oooh fantastic!

wonderwomanusa

I stayed at the Cantonment side of Varanasi some time ago, and grew very tired of the long ricksha ride (and constant hassle) back to the hotel, and haven't stayed "out there in the suburbs" in many years.

Yes, the gardens are nice, but it's kind of like not being in Varanasi at all, don't you think?

anubisgrau

what do you really consider to be on ghats - like to be virtually the last building on a ghat before water, or near. OK i see palace on ganges is on assi ghat, what about temple on ganges?

yeshekathy

yes I agree... being in Varanasi MEANS being in the old part, on the ghats (and by that I mean staying right over the river if you can - waking up to dawn pujas and going to sleep to the sounds of evening pujas). But last time I was travelling alone (female) and commuting daily to Sarnath for a while so that the cantonment was actually much easier than hassling with the lanes and rickshaws, especially coming back late at night sometimes. That's when the Surya was great!
If you are there for a while then I believe it is better to stay in Assis Ghat which is a bit up river (is that down river?) and out of the mainstream a bit, but for me... for only a few days... Main Ghat is the place to be, in amongst the noise and hustle (oh and did I mention the shops?). LOVE IT!

wonderwomanusa

I used to stay at a funky hotel that was about mid-way between Godaulia and the steps down to the river. It was always full of old people on pilgrimage and I don't think I ever saw a Westerner there, though someone I'd met in Bodh Gaya in the early 70s told me about it.

Since I haven't been there in maybe 18 years, I would have to check it out again before recommending it. It was dirt cheap, had few amenities, but the location was teriffic!

At this momment, I cannot even remember the name.