glover

We'll be in Varanasi for 3 nights during our quickly approaching two month trip in India.
Most of the planning (which we've done ourselves) is finished. Just now looking at lodging for Varanasi. Reviews are all over the place. Have no need to stay in 4 or 5 star biggees.
Am considering Rashmi Guest House (has availability) - which some love and others despise apparently. Also Ganges View Hotel, Homestay, Alka Hotel. Would love to hear rants and raves from fodors folks. . . . e.g calinurse - saw your very positive review of Homestay. .. Liked the idea of helpful owner ready to ease the hassle of Varanasi . . . but a little further out etc. Any others I should look at? We're pretty adventurous and spry 60 somethings, well travelled, flexible.

progol

I stayed in the Kedareswar Guesthouse (B&B) and was very happy with the place. I had considered Rashmi Guesthouse and Ganges View, but the cost seemed high for what was provided and for the very mixed reviews. Kedareswar is not "luxurious", but it is comfortable and very welcoming.

Here's my review of Kedareswar from my trip report:

<< We were very pleased with this guest house. Simple, basic, but well run, with proprietors who were very warm, gracious and accommodating, and were as helpful as they could be. The room was small but comfortable, with a shared balcony, overlooking the Ganges. Nice terrace roof, we had breakfast one morning (the other was too cool). The staff was very respectful - they call Michael, Papu, and me, Mama! It’s a very simple place, but for what it is, I recommend it highly. Ganges facing room/Rs 2,400>>.

Just make sure you don't have the room on the roof, as they serve the breakfast there on nice days, and there will be no privacy. We had the room below, which had a small terrace, and we were very happy with that.

kmkrnn

We stayed near Assisi ghat and were very glad we did

thursdaysd

Definitely stay on the ghats. The main town is just a typical Indian town, the old town is different - still crowded, noisy and dirty, but fascinating and right on the river - and if you don't stay there you will just waste time traveling to/from. I stayed at the Alka and it was very bare bones, although the location was excellent. I suppose it might have improved since then, but the Kedareswar sounds like a better option.

dgunbug

Another vote for the ghats.

progol

And yes, definitely stay on the ghats!

Vinnie1981

My wife and I (in our 50's) stayed in September 2013 at Meraden Grand Varanasi. Simple, clean, very good food, good location. Recommend highly.

Craig

Stay on the ghats. If you stay at Rashmi, bring ear plugs. There are quieter areas on the ghats with hotels, however...

sb1020

Hi
Definitely stay on the ghats-I think that really is the way to experience the life and culture of Varanasi
We are back now almost 8 weeks and the stay in Varanasi on the river is one of the parts of the trip I seem to think about the most

We stayed in the Kedeswar Guest House in early October-and it was basic but fine-clean, air conditioned, wi-fi in room with a small shared balcony overlooking the river-about $50
Sandy