BrijRama Palace occupies a historic palace on Darbhanga Ghat, one of the most photogenic stretches of the riverfront, and it is the stay to choose if you want to wake up above the Ganges. The building was a royal residence and has been restored as a heritage hotel, with carved stonework, arched windows, courtyards and terraces that look straight onto the river and the boats below. Guests step from the hotel onto the ghat itself, so the sunrise ritual, the boatmen and the morning light are part of the stay rather than an excursion. The mood is hushed, formal and a little theatrical, with antique-style furnishings, lamps and fabrics, and a small number of large rooms and suites rather than a big block. Dining is on site, with river-view settings for breakfast and dinner, and the staff are used to arranging private boat rides, guides and aarti viewing. It sits in the old city, so it is close to the ghats and the main temple lanes but away from road traffic, which means the approach is on foot or by arrangement with the hotel.
Location and getting around
Darbhanga Ghat is in the central stretch of the riverfront, within walking distance of Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kashi Vishwanath area through narrow lanes. Cars cannot reach the door, so luggage is brought in by hand and the hotel can arrange the pick-up point from the nearest road.
The airport and rail station are a drive away, so ask the hotel to coordinate your transfer and the final walk. For a first-time visitor this is a huge advantage: you step out and the ghats are at your feet, and your boatman can collect you from the hotel's own steps.
Rooms and atmosphere
Expect large, high-ceilinged rooms and suites in a palace setting, with river-facing options that are worth requesting when you book. Interiors lean toward an old-world heritage style rather than a sleek modern look, so travellers who prefer minimal design may find it ornate.
The riverside terrace and courtyard are the social centre of the hotel and the best place for tea, breakfast and watching the river come to life. Some rooms and corridors involve stairs, and lifts may be limited in a historic building, so ask about accessibility if mobility is a concern.
Who it suits and what to know: couples, honeymooners and anyone marking a special trip will love it, as will travellers who want to be inside the old city rather than commuting to it. The area is lively and the ghat is public, so expect sounds from ceremonies, bells and boats at dawn and in the evening, and the occasional smoke from the riverbank.
Book the river-view category, ask the hotel to arrange a private sunrise boat, and confirm the walking route from the road before arrival. Rates sit at the top of the Varanasi market and rise around festivals and the cooler months.
Why stay here
- ✓Palace on the Ganges at Darbhanga Ghat
- ✓River-view rooms and suites
- ✓Riverside terrace and courtyard
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Private boat and guide arrangements
- ✓Heritage architecture
- ✓Walk to Dashashwamedh Ghat
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
Good questions
Where is BrijRama Palace?+
On Darbhanga Ghat in the old city, directly on the Ganges. Cars stop short of the door, so the final approach is on foot or arranged by the hotel.
Can I see the river from the rooms?+
River-facing rooms and suites are available and worth requesting at booking. The terrace and courtyard also overlook the ghat.
Is it suitable for travellers with limited mobility?+
It is a historic building with stairs and a walk from the road, so ask the hotel about accessible rooms and the arrival route before booking.
