Overall Ratings & Reviews Palace on steps

Good place to stay

My experiences in Varanasi have always been remarkable, but my latest stay at the Palace on the Steps truly stands out as an unforgettable stay. This gem of a Haveli nestled near the main Ghat along the sacred Ganges, offers more than just a place to stay; it is a gateway to spiritual awakening. Waking up to the serene sunrise over the holy waters from my room's balcony was a daily blessing, infusing each morning with tranquility and awe. The heart of the Palace on the Steps lies in its impeccable management and staff. Their efficiency, attentiveness, and warmth created an environment of comfort and ease. Ajay, the ever-ready and eager manager, exemplified hospitality, swiftly addressing any concerns with a personal touch. The culinary delights at the Palace on the Steps restaurant were another highlight of my stay. Dining at the rooftop restaurant became a cherished ritual, with each meal a delightful exploration of flavors. Additionally, the prompt and thorough laundry service added a layer of convenience to my experience. Housekeeping kept my room very clean and tidy throughout my stay. Plenty of water, toiletries, and making sure everything was in its place further made me feel welcome.

Please check the rooms before checking in.. and paying the rooms..i have been given a room in the terrace and it is really not worth for the charges paid..

Great location right on The Steps within walking distance to the Aarti Ganga although the owner will arrange a boat ride. Actually he will arrange anything you’d like.

Prime location in the center of the Ghat Road right on Ganga. Ekant Kashi room is small but lovely with balcony overlooking the river. Rising sun shines right into the bed. Clean and wonderful service. Access to hotel by walking only, like many others in this area.

The service was outstanding. All of the staff couldn't have been more helpful. Definitely a unique hotel and and perfect right next to the water.

Location, location, location. Located on Ganges at Ghats. Hotel arranged transportation to and from airport. Hotel is a little worn but comfortable. Would stay here again.

Besdide the river. About 500 m walking distance from the main road. No other vehicles can go in these lane. Though hotel staff can cooperate in bringing the luggage.

With Palace on Steps, it’s all about the location. Yoy will be right in the Ganges. You must accept that you are in a holy city with a lot of poverty but also a lot of soul. The people are so warm, wonderful and helpful but staying there presents many challenges. It is not for everyone. Walking back and forth to the “ main” road is treacherous and the steps down to the river are flat out dangerous. Having said that, I am in my 60s and this was one of the most memorable weeks of my life. The little restaurant has simple but good food, AND they serve beer:) I am now in a very fancy 5 Star Hotel in Delhi but I miss Palace on Steps. The little streets are not clean but I miss the cows, monkeys, parrots and the fabulous little shops in the ghats. Palace is not for everyone but if you have a sense of adventure, stay there. Ricky and others were amazingly hospitable. The Ganges will flow into your heart!!!!!

The location is great. Not only it takes about 2 minutes to get to the river, the property has a great terrace to relax, have dinner or drinks and watch the river and activity on the ghats. Some of the rooms have river view as well. The location could not be better. The staff is very helpful, ready to assist with information and schedule activities. We booked a sunrise boat ride and a full day walking tour and both were amazing. Now for the not so great. If you're expecting a Western style level of amenities, you will not find it here, so it depends on your expectations. The rooms have showers but Indian style, which means no cabin or curtain. There is always hot water and there is an overhead shower (which is not always the case in India). If you can deal with that, I highly recommend this hotel.

First, the reception is very friendly. The hotel, which dates from 1665 and is in a palace facing the Ganges. The best room is probably nr 305. Breakfast is fine (corn flakes, toasts, fruits, boiled eggs and the usual Indian warm dishes). The view on the river is excellent. To access the hotel (which also bears the name Elena), you can climg the stairs from south of Munshi Ghat either direction Shiva Hotel then you turn right or direction Elena Hotel then you turn left. From the city, it's longer and more complex. Take a compass and head East from a point named Lahiri Mahasaya Samadhi. It's a small lane where only pedestrians, bikes - and sacred cows - can enter. It's about 150-200m. Follow Shiva, Elena or Palace on Steps signs. Near the hotel, you'll cross an alley with a few "Western" restaurants and tourist stores. Thrre's even a cake shop in the same street, which runs N-S parallel to the river. There are monkeys that play on the hotel terraces and in a big tree (the tree is a useful landmark from the ghat). In short, a good hotel with a great view and fine service.

Super staff! They helped us by showing around the pathways and shops to taking us to a very good physician nearby. Very friendly and accommodating to our needs. Place is well located on the ghats, simple, clean. Great river views. Breakfast also good.

Strongest point is it's location. Not good for elderly because it's 1 km walk from main road and a steep climb of 50 steps from ghat. Food is good. Staff very helpful. AC and electricity is terribly bad. Frequent disruption of AC expected. View from rooms is great.

Fabulous old building overlooking the Ganges. We were given the two best rooms as hotel was quiet. Amazing views & location. Rooms & bathroom quite tired, but if improved the hotel would be much more expensive. Staff very helpful. Food fantastic & served in a prime spot overlooking the Ganges. Network of narrow lanes to get to the hotel from the main road. Help given to carry our bags to the hotel avoiding motorbikes & the odd cow on the way.

Perfect location to take a look and get to the Ghat and River. People are very kind and helpful. Hot shower and A/C are available. River viewing room has many flying bugs and a monkey got into my room through open door to Balcony and take my foods. hahaha. Have fun with bugs gecko rizard and monkey!!! One big problem was my big baggage could not be trolled myself coz too long, narrow and dirty corridor from the circle.

Palace on Steps is right on the Ganges at the heart of action in Varanasi. Hotels in this region can't be accessed by vehicle and therefore it is vital to pre-book an airport pick up via the hotel. The reception staff are fantastic and try their hardest to make our stay as comfortable as possible and to help arrange tours locally. The Maharajah suite is awesome with fantastic views over the Ganges. The roof top restaurant is fairly priced with a decent menu selection

The people there were very helpfull, the location was good, quiet and close to the Gange.

Let's be clear, this place is definitely not a palace. It is a set of concrete rooms. We booked and received what was, absolutely, a basic room. Very basic in fact. Shabby with small beds and a small attached shower / wc room. The floor was spotless to be fair and had been disinfected just before we got there. But the paintwork in the room needed cleaning. The bathroom mould needed a ton of bleach. The room was bland and had no proper window as it was an internal room. I imagine some of the rooms are better and have great views as the establishment is literally on the bank of the Ganges. This is it's strongest point. It is in a great location. Easy to get anywhere in town or on the river on foot in a couple of minutes. Dreamlike architecture nearby. A little haunting actually. The guys that work there are friendly. We found one of them, Deepak I think, particularly nice. There is a rooftop canteen surrounded by a cage to keep the monkeys out. One disturbing thing is that access to the area from the river end of town is up a very steep set of stairs which is covered and also unlit. In the daytime it is simply dark and people sleep on the steps. At night it is black and full of dogs

Bad complementary food. Standard rooms are worst. Only plus point is location nothing else. Bad experience.

If you have a room overlooking the river then this a place well worth staying