Any recommendation for a good hotel in Varanasi?

The really good international hotels are in the cantonment area, but this is a new area and quite far from the old town, the river and the ghats.

Most of the hotels right on the ghats fall more into the guesthouse category.

WE stayed at a new hotel down on Assi Ghat. I really liked the location as it is at the end of the Ghats- quieter, somewhat less crowded, but still in the thick of things. Several good places to eat, shop and do internet right nearby, and you are in a perfect place to get a boat up the river in the morning or the evening for about 100-150 rupees.

I do not recommend our hotel..., but right across the way was Temple on the Ganges...very new and looked nice. Cost in December was about 950 rupees a night.

A rickshaw from here to Godhuali market will be about 15 rupees. A cab to the Airport (nearly an hours) is about 300-400 rupees.

Hello there! Glad you are going there! One of the most fascinating cities on earth, anddefiantely a highlight to an India-trip!!! Yes, there a couple of good five star interntational Hotels in Varanasi and i have stayed in all of them. And yes, all upmarket hotels are in the Cantonment area, not in the old city! Oh, there is one good new hotel in the old city, called Palace on the Ganges, but it is not that high-end. Anyways, the cantonment is a nice peaceful area to stay in, wider avenues, full facilites and the comfort of a good hotel after your intense sightseeing! There are numerous guesthouses in the old city and along the Ghats, but as ICUY SAYS, most will be very basic..In terms of the best hotels in Varanasi the top would be the Taj Ganges, (a Taj PROPERTY). aNOTHER nice property is the Radisson, and two others are either the Clarks. . All these hotels are very popular, as they are few and far between, so do book early. I probably prefer the Taj for the grounds,and go for there new deluxe room. There is also one of the cities only bars there.take care and enjoy one of my favorite places in India. Feel free to drop me a line with any questions. I am a American in India.

A couple weeks ago, I stayed at the Taj Ganges. If you stay there, make sure you ask for a renovated room. The difference is night and day! I was moved from one to the other. The renovated rooms are really nice.

I visited the lobby of The Palace on the Ganges. It looked quite nice and is right in the thick of things on the ghats. Our guide said it was a nice hotel, but that he thought the Taj Ganges was a much better hotel (my guess is that they think Americans will melt if they are not in a five star property ) It all depends on what you are looking for--more (relative) luxury or to be in the midst of the action.

Anyone who goes to India should visit Varanasi. I would not have missed it and it was my favorite, albeit insanely chaotic, place. Enjoy! (bring insect repellent. The mosquitoes are rampant in the evening)

Palace on the Ganges is where we stayed. Although it looks nice, I would definitely not recommend it! Temple on the Ganges is about 50 yards away, and I would go there before returning to the Palace.