I would like to know if it is recommended staying in a guesthouse on the Ganges, i.e. Ganges View or Alta Hotel, or to stay in a larger hotel away from the river. It will be 2 nights for 2 single ladies.

I stayed at the Hotel Clark Varanasi, a wonderful top level hotel, NOT on the Ganges.

I truly regret not being right on the water and being able to wake up to the sun rising on the water. I would choose a guesthouse if going back again

I stayed in the Alka, (definitely a guesthouse rather than a hotel, lol), in a room with river-front view and was SO glad I was there and not back in the newer part of town. I felt that it was a completely different experience staying by the river in the old town rather than just visiting it.

Stay on the river, for sure. That's where you're going to spending most of your time, anyhow. It's great to stroll along the ghats in the eveving and know that you will presently be able to see your hotel, and your window. Also, the pre-dawn boat trips are so much easier to organise if you just have to go down a single flight of steps from your room, and there's your boat, waiting.

Thanks for the info. I think it is the Alka then.