Back from the ghats in a relatively quite location, Ganga Fuji is run by an exuberant and helpful family. The best and brightest rooms are at the top but all are clean and the brand new top floor restaurant offers panoramic city views and live entertainment in the evenings. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The rooms vary a lot in this generally well-kept place near Hotel Buddha - those with AC are much nicer and some have balconies. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

With a lovely leafy terrace restaurant nudging over the river, Alka is the best of the ghatside budget options. All rooms are clean and modern with TVs, and the more expensive ones are midrange standard with wonderful views from the balconies. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Buddha has long been one of the better budget hotels in the Lahurabir area with light modern rooms with TVs, built around an interestingly designed open central area. A huge marriage hall has recently been added which could make staying here interesting in the wedding season (Nov… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A range of luxurious and spacious rooms are spread over three sections of the hotel, along with a health club, bars and restaurants. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This new hotel back from Assi Ghat is immaculate and stylish, and well run by a charming lady manager. There's a good range of rooms, all with TV and hot water, an excellent restaurant as well a rooftop terrace. The location is easily accessible by taxi or autorickshaw but still … Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This beautifully restored and maintained traditional-style house overlooking Assi Ghat is crammed with artworks and antiques. Concerts, lectures and book readings are occasionally held. Home-cooked meals are another feature and are served in the charming dining room. Book ahead. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Next door to Divya, Haifa is also recommended for its clean rooms and quality restaurant serving Middle Eastern food. All rooms have TV and hot water and there's a covered rooftop dining area. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This new luxury hotel in the Cantonment has a beautifully-designed central atrium garden and restaurant on the ground level and five floors of tastefully decorated rooms. The suite room, with private bar and butler service, is superb. There's also a rooftop restaurant and a fine … Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Behind the unusual classical façade are very smart AC rooms with baths and minibars (some with balconies), but the standout feature here is the amazing rooftop garden restaurant Eden. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Still number one by a long way in Varanasi, this five-star luxury hotel combines Western comforts and Indian style, typified by the sophisticated Varuna Restaurant. You can walk, cycle or take a ride in a maharaja's buggy around the 5-hectare grounds, which contain fruit trees, a… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The well-furnished rooms have Indian art on the walls and there's a green-themed restaurant and subterranean bar. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This immaculate heritage accommodation is an interior decorator's dream with each room carefully themed on a regional Indian style, using antique furnishings and colourful design themes - the colonial, Rajasthan and Jodhpur rooms are among the best. Some front rooms have balconie… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Friendly Mr Sahi and family will look after you with home-cooked meals at this simple but comfortable guesthouse, overlooking Assi Ghat. Rooms of all shapes and sizes are spread over a number of floors in this old house, entered via a narrow laneway from the ghat. Rooms vary a lo… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This well-kept and clean ghatside hotel sets a high standard - the best rooms have great river views and balconies but are well into the midrange price bracket. Other facilities include a library, a veg restaurant, and boat trips organised direct from Scindhia Ghat. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The biggest attraction here is the very social 24-hour rooftop restaurant, which overlooks Manikarnika Ghat. The restaurant has a free pool table, yoga classes can be arranged and free morning boat rides are organised for guests in the high season. Rooms are a bit gloomy and coul… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The ghatside location still draws travellers to this long-running guesthouse but it's pretty pokey accommodation - the cheaper rooms have shared bath and all toilets are squat types. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A long-running favourite with hippie types going for the bargain-basement prices and laid-back ambience. Rooms are pretty basic, and all have shared showers and squat toilets. Full Lonely Planet Review ›