Hotel Ganges Grand is positioned for sightseeing, near Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Dasaswamedh Ghat in the central part of the old city. For first-time visitors this is the most useful part of Varanasi to sleep in, because the evening Ganga Aarti, the main temple, the lanes and the boats are all within a short walk or rickshaw ride. The hotel is a mid-range property with a good list of facilities for the price. There is an on-site restaurant and a rooftop dining area, a terrace, a library and a business centre, with a spa and massage services for tired legs after a day of walking. Rooms have air conditioning and heating, electric kettles, premium bedding and bathrobes, bathrooms with showers and free toiletries, and daily housekeeping, and an executive category is listed with soundproofing, which is worth asking about in a lively district. Room service runs around the clock, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout, including in the rooms. Free self parking is a rare benefit in the old city, though you should confirm how close your driver can get. The hotel offers a roundtrip airport shuttle for a fee, and the staff can arrange tours and tickets, boats, guides and trips to Sarnath, along with dry cleaning and laundry.
Location and getting around
The central location is the reason to book. From the area around Kashi Vishwanath and Dashashwamedh you can walk to the evening aarti, take a boat from the nearby steps, wander the lanes and return for a rest, which saves hours of traffic compared with a hotel in the western districts.
The trade-off is the usual one for the old city: the streets are narrow, vehicles stop short of many doors and the district is noisy with bells, horns and processions. Ask the hotel in advance for exact directions and for the best drop-off point, and carry your own luggage for the last stretch if necessary.
Rooms and facilities
The rooms are comfortable and well equipped, with premium bedding, bathrobes and a kettle, and the executive category adds soundproofing. The rooftop dining area is a good place to eat or have tea in the evening, and the terrace and library offer quiet corners. Breakfast is available as a buffet for an additional charge, so check whether your rate includes it.
The business centre and wedding services show that the property is used by local groups as well as travellers, so you may find the lobby busy at peak times. Children are welcome and rollaway beds can be added for a fee, but cribs are not available.
Who it suits and what to know: first-time visitors, pilgrims, small groups and anyone who wants a practical, central base with parking and a rooftop. Check-in is in the early afternoon and check-out is in the late morning, early check-in is subject to availability and carries a fee, and contactless check-in and check-out are offered. If you want a river view and a heritage atmosphere, a ghat-side hotel will deliver more drama, but for convenience and facilities Ganges Grand is a sensible choice. Confirm your room category and any extra charges when you book.
Why stay here
- ✓Rooftop dining area
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Terrace and library
- ✓Spa and massage services
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓24-hour room service
- ✓Airport shuttle for a fee
Good questions
How close is it to the main sights?+
It is near Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Dasaswamedh Ghat, so the aarti, the temple and the boats are close by, though the last stretch may be on foot.
Does it have parking and Wi-Fi?+
Yes, free self parking and free Wi-Fi are offered, including in the rooms. Confirm how close your driver can get in the old city.
Are there family facilities?+
Children are welcome and rollaway beds are available for a fee, but cribs are not provided.
