Hotel Alka stands at Meer Ghat in the heart of the old city, a short walk from Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kashi Vishwanath area, and that location is the reason to book it. Rooms range from simple, compact air-conditioned rooms with shared or private baths to larger rooms with river views and balconies, so there is a category for most budgets. The hotel has a vegetarian restaurant, a terrace and a garden, and it offers a steam room, 24-hour room service and a laundry service. Its Wi-Fi is strong for the price, and the staff speak several languages and can help with boats, tickets and guides. It is not a luxury hotel, and the simplest rooms are very small, but the river views, the rooftop and the walking access to the main sights make it popular with budget travellers and pilgrims. Cars cannot reach the door, so the arrival involves a walk through the lanes, which is part of the old city experience.
Location and getting around
Meer Ghat is next to the central stretch of the riverfront, a few minutes on foot to Dashashwamedh Ghat and the temple area, and close to the cremation ghat at Manikarnika. Because the lanes are narrow and vehicles cannot reach the hotel, you will walk from the nearest road with your luggage, which can be tiring with heavy bags, so travel light or ask the hotel to arrange porter help.
The airport is about an hour away by road, and taxis wait at the roadside. The old city lanes around the hotel are lively, with early morning bells and the occasional funeral procession passing through, which visitors should treat with quiet respect.
Rooms and facilities
Choose between basic rooms with shared baths, air-conditioned rooms, deluxe rooms and the larger river-view rooms with balconies. Room sizes vary a lot, so check the category description carefully. The rooftop and terrace are the best places to sit, and the restaurant serves vegetarian meals through the day. There is no parking, and the hotel cannot be reached by car, which is worth knowing if you arrive late or with a lot of baggage.
Who it suits and what to know: budget travellers, backpackers, solo travellers and anyone who wants to be within walking distance of the ghats at a modest price. The trade-offs are small rooms in the lower categories, noise from the lanes and ceremonies, and the walk from the road. Book a river-view room if the budget allows, confirm the arrival route and ask the staff to arrange your boat and guide.
Why stay here
- ✓Meer Ghat riverside location
- ✓River-view rooms with balcony
- ✓Vegetarian restaurant
- ✓Terrace and garden
- ✓24-hour room service
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Laundry service
- ✓Walk to Dashashwamedh Ghat
Good questions
Can cars reach Hotel Alka?+
No. The hotel is in the old city lanes, so you walk from the nearest road, and there is no parking.
How close is it to Dashashwamedh Ghat?+
It is a short walk of a few minutes, which makes it convenient for the aarti and the temple area.
Are all rooms the same?+
No. Rooms range from very small basic rooms to larger river-view rooms with balconies, so check the category before booking.
