Its me again... got this name for a hotel in Varanasi...We want to be down on the river, as ooposed to out where the nicer hotel are. Anyone tried it, or have any other recommendations?

Also heard about Palace on the Ganges ( a heritage hotel) and Ganges View.

hi there! tEMPLE on the Ganges is a very very simple property right on the Ganges! Palace on the Ganges is definately a bit more upmarket, and the nicest play to stay on the river, but not a PALACE by any-means. But if you want to stay on the Ganges, it is surely the best option. The best hotels in Varanasi are not on the Ganges, but are in the new city area, the Catnonment, with the Taj Ganges and The Radisson leading the way. take care and enjoy..Varanasi is probably the most fascinating place on earth!

Thanks Bonita! Your reply was timely too, in that Palace finally offered me a room this morning!

We'll only be there 3 days, and my daughter wanted to be down there rather than in the Cantonment.

By the way, you don't know what train goes from Varanasi to Siliguri do you? My daughter said she took an overnight sleeper in October, but doesn't remember the route or train name. We wanted to take it again if we can find it.

I have been doing some research on the hotels in Varanasi. Please note that this hotel is not next to the Ganges. There is a waste dump between the hotel and the Gangle. But it is an upmarket hotel compared to other hotels in that area. I shall be leaving for India next week and am getting excited.

Hope you will have a great trip!

Palace of the Ganges is indeed located very close to the bank of the river at Asti Ghat, one of the furthest ghats on the river. IT IS BY far the nicest hotel in the old city, and many rooms have partial river views, and some rooms have balconies. It is located very close to river but there is a road/field(not the cleanest which separates hotel from river) * but then again, this is Varanasi and as you will soon see, it is unforutnately and sadly quite a filthy city, one of the most polluted in India and many areas can be considered garbage dumps. The hotel however is lovely and the best comfortable option on river in terms of modern amenities. The other choices on river are very basic, and although they might be right directly on river, lack most modern conveniences!