Varanasi hotels

Top tips for finding the perfect Varanasi hotel deal

• If it’s your first time in Varanasi, select a hotel overlooking the River Ganges, close to key historic sites and temples. For a unique experience, try a room at the Brijrama Palace, a few minutes’ walk away from one of the most sacred embankments leading down to the Ganges, Dasaswamedh Ghat.
• For travellers who prefer a luxury resort away from the hustle and bustle of the centre, opt for the Taj Nadesar Palace, a five-star hotel set in a historical palace. It’s a 20-minute drive from the centre of Varanasi and is surrounded by vast gardens with an outdoor pool. Rooms all have four-poster beds, marble bathrooms with bathtubs, flat-screen TVs and DVD players.
• If you’d like an oasis of tranquillity in central Varanasi, choose Suryauday Haveli – An Amritara Resort, a boutique hotel which has 14 cosy rooms and suites, some of which have river views. It’s located at Shivala Ghat, a ten-minute walk from Dasaswamedh and Assi Ghat. A continental buffet breakfast is included, free evening boat rides for evening prayers are offered, and there is live music daily. Guests particularly appreciate this hotel’s attentive service.
• For budget travellers, look no further than Hotel Alka, a three-star hotel with a large central courtyard and balcony. The hotel has a wide choice of rooms, from basic to premium, and many have good views. There’s an on-site vegetarian restaurant, a souvenir shop and an ayurvedic spa offering a range of massages and beauty treatments.
• For hotels in Varanasi close to Varanasi Junction Railway Station, book a room at The Gateway Hotel Ganges, which is 1.5 kilometres from the station. Guests can choose between rooms and suites, and there’s a business centre, fitness room, spa and an outdoor pool contained within the hotel. Dining and drinking options include two restaurants and a bar.