Would appreciate your hotel recommendations for Varanasi

Sazjoe

We would like to come in at $35USD or less a night.

Looking for clean and reliable. We may need a train or airport pickup. (Traveling in from Delhi) February.

We appreciate your comments and any and all contact, website or email information.

Thank you.

n kumar

Hi,
what type of accomodation your are interested like heritage, river side or modern hotels.

Sazjoe

Truely we are looking for guidence.

We would expect riverside, but heritage by its term sounds interesting.

We are of course looking for clean, safe and also with a reliable pick up from either the airport or train depending on final arrival plans.

We need any information including contact and where possible, website.

thank you.

theyyamdancer

What is your budget?

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Sazjoe

Our budget is $35USD

theyyamdancer

There are lots of mid-range hotels recommended on this very forum. Have you read through some of the threads?

Personally, I found that Assi Ghat was a good place to stay. There are several hotels there: the Ganges View has been a big hit with IndiaMikers, but it is hard to get a reservation there (I failed). The Divya Hotel where we stayed would be within your budget. Also the Haifa Hotel. And many more. The Sahi Guest House also.

If you request a pick-up from the train station or from the airport then the hotel will arrange it for you. It will be slightly more expensive than going with an ordinary cab. But after a long journey it is perhaps money worth spending.

Other than Assi Ghat, there are many budget hotels all along the ghats. If you wish to be closer to the burning ghats, then the Scindhia Guest House comes highly recommended on IndiaMike.

Darmabum

I'd second the Ganges View, stayed there for a month in '06. Incredible, service/ambiance/etc, but they have no website. A popular place, and with great reason. You might also look into (also in the Asi area) The Temple on Ganges, and they do have a website, and I've found them good at replying. I'd recommend the Haifa (near the Divvya, again, in the Asi area) but they are a little too-sterile/too-new for my liking, though the food is good (try the Middle Eastern Thali, if you've had enough subji).

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cm2k1

... I see the following website: http://www.hotelgangesview.com/ , and the place gets a *lot* of good recommendations, but I cannot find $$$ info.

Given how glowing the recommendations are I'm guessing this is out of my price range (trying to keep it under rs.500) - any recommendations for low-$ places ?

EDIT - Ram Bhawan looks like a good option - any go/no-go comments from the IndiaMike crowd ?

Darmabum

I'd say it's out of your range, but there are others in the area, if you wouldn't mind being away from the main ghat. Look into Temple on Ganges, just south of Asi Ghat; they have a website. The Divvya and/or the Haifa (Asi area) might fit into your money. I stayed for five of my six months in '06 at the Tiwari Lodge, right across from the Haifa. Good place, really good, run by a family - Mom, Dad, two sons, Grandma and Grandpa; Raj and his wife Rama are very nice, and the clientele - many of them long-termers like me - were great too.

cm2k1

again, thanks for this

Any contact info for Tiwari Lodge ? Temple on Ganges has a website & looks cool, but Tiwari Lodge doesn't show up much on Google

Edit: found the following, so it looks like I'll call them tomorrow to see if they take reservations (everyone's saying since I'm traveling during Navratri I should try to book wherever possible - showing up can lead to disappointment):

Tiwari Lodge, B-1/243-A, Assi Ghat (Assi Crossing, accross the street from Hotel Haifa), ☎ 2315129. checkout: negotiable. 100-150 Rs., is right after Assi crossing close to Assi Ghat. It is run by a Brahmin, and has its own small temple on the site. Very relaxed and well maintained by local standards, do not expect staff to be present all the time. For check-in the owner can usually be found sitting in the aryuvedic massage cubicle late afternoons. Upstairs rooms are with shared bath Rs 100/single. Ensuite will be Rs 150, with long term rates negotiable. Bring your sheets and towel. Door locked midnight to 6AM.

Darmabum

cm2k1 - costs at the Tiwari have most likely risen; the ones given above seem consistent to when I was there in 2006. Raj, one of the owners, is indeed a Brahmin and the temple within the walls of the Lodge (site of the old family home) is a bonus. Grandpa can be seen picking jasmine flowers from the tree in the front yard in the early morning and walking them (you can follow the trail of blossoms) to the temple. The man who sits in the ayurvedic massage cubicle is not the owner, not Raj, but a man who leases the room for his massage; he also teaches Hindi and Sanskrit. Again, the Tiwari is a basic place, but for safety, good vibes from other guests, and Raj and Rama's presence, it is a cool place. At least give it a look, tell 'em Scottji sent you

naomiw

I contacted them thru the website www.kautilyasociety.com . They sound interesting , welcoming and inexpensive. Would be nice to hear from someone who has been there before reserving. Anyone?
Thanks.

naomiw

I contacted Ram Bhavan thru the website www.kautilyasociety.com . They sound interesting , welcoming and inexpensive. Would be nice to hear from someone who has been there before reserving. Anyone?
Thanks.

Shivani Skydancer

Does anyone know if November is a busy tourist season in Varanasi?

I'm really excited about my first visit to Varanasi which will be on the 12th of November. It would be nice to get a room with a great view of the Ganga, but far enough so as not to smell the burning ghats. My other requirement is clean sheets and a hot shower. I can afford to pay up to 1000rp for a double per night.

Would it be alright to arrive by train and look around for accommodation on that day? Or should I definitely pre- book now and take the risk of being dissappointed with the room?

Also, I will have lots of luggage with me. Will it be a great hassle to get to the hotels on the riverside?

Leela Paying Guesthouse has good reviews, but don't know if the location is convenient...

Darmabum

November is the tail-end of the end of the season. Fog can become quite dense in December/January, and it gets cold too. I personally wouldn't bother booking in advance, unless there's some place specific you have in mind and just want to stay. Depending on where by the river you want to stay, you may have to make multiple trips to haul baggage.

Looking in the Asi Ghat area would be my suggestion. A little far from the center/main ghat - about 15-20 minutes by rickshaw - but if you'll be staying awhile, you may like the relative quiet of Asi. In that area I might suggest: The Hotel Temple on Ganges (they have a website), the Haifa Hotel (has all the amenities you're looking for, but for me, lacks ambiance)(good food at their restaurant), the Hotel Divvya, near the Haifa. All fall somewhere in your budget. There is also one in the area, but right on the main path to the river, called the Sahi River Guest House, never been in, but have heard good things. The first three I mentioned are about a five minute walk from the river. The Temple on Ganges has a nice big open roof, and great view to the river and sunrise.