Dwivedi Hotels Varanasi Review: Ganges River Views

If you are planning a trip to Varanasi, India, you are probably wondering what to expect from the local accommodations. Varanasi is a magical, intense place, and finding the right hotel is key to enjoying your stay. While it is not your typical luxury holiday destination, it is an absolute must-visit for travelers seeking the raw, spiritual heart of India along the sacred Ganges River. Here is my honest experience staying near the ghats and how to avoid common booking scams.

My original plan was to stay at a property called Safar Nama Varanasi.

I was traveling from Agra after visiting the iconic Taj Mahal. Getting to Varanasi can be a challenge; direct trains are incredibly hard to book. Because of this, I had to take a train from Agra back to New Delhi, and then catch a domestic flight directly to Varanasi.

While waiting to board my Vistara flight, I opened my Agoda app to double-check the hotel address. That is when I noticed a strange, urgent message.

Out of nowhere, the hotel demanded an immediate off-platform prepayment. Because I was in transit and could not reply instantly, they canceled my booking. Standing at the gate with nowhere to sleep, I scrambled to find an alternative. That is how I ended up booking Dwivedi Hotels Sri Omkar Palace last minute.

A quick word of advice: when booking accommodations in India through platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, or Agoda, be highly skeptical if a property demands extra off-platform payments. If anything feels off, cancel it immediately and find another place. Unilateral cancellations by properties are unfortunately quite common here.

Ganpati Guest House is another highly recommended option, especially if you want to meet other travelers and find companions for exploring. However, keep in mind that prime riverside properties along the Ganges are pricier than you might expect, with decent rooms easily starting at over ~$64 per night.

Navigating the labyrinth of Varanasi's narrow, winding alleys to find the hotel was an adventure in itself. With spotty cell service, it is easy to get turned around. Thankfully, I spotted a small sign pointing toward the property and breathed a sigh of relief.

Just a friendly local goat welcoming me along the way!

Just when you start questioning if you are in the right place, the entrance to Dwivedi Hotels appears. It took me about 20 minutes of wandering to find it the first time, but once you walk the path a couple of times, you will easily memorize the route.

Be careful when searching for the name, as there are two properties: Dwivedi Hotels Palace on Steps and Dwivedi Hotels Sri Omkar Palace. They offer different room conditions and rates. The staff at Sri Omkar Palace may look serious, but they turned out to be incredibly helpful and friendly.

I stayed at Sri Omkar Palace. The Deluxe River View room cost around ~$38 per night, while non-AC rooms without a river view were priced at about ~$26 per night. I highly recommend spending a little extra for the river view—it is absolutely worth it.

After a quick 10-minute check-in, I received my key. Most guests seem to be accommodated on the first floor. The young boy hanging around the desk was incredibly charming and cute.

The room itself was spacious enough for a solo traveler and perfectly fine for a two-night stay. While they do offer breakfast, I was craving some familiar comfort food after eating local Indian cuisine for days, so I opted to eat out.

Not all first-floor Deluxe rooms have an unobstructed view of the Ganges. Some rooms have security bars on the windows that can block the scenery, so you need a bit of luck. Fortunately, my room offered a fantastic, clear view of the river.

There was one quirky surprise, though! Behind my room was a locked door. When opened, it led to a shared courtyard area where guests from other rooms could hang out. It is a uniquely social, Indian-style setup!

The view from the rooftop is breathtaking. You can watch boats gently gliding along the Ganges all day and spot wild monkeys jumping between the surrounding buildings.

Having that stunning river view made this accidental booking feel like a great choice. The only minor downside was that the provided towels were slightly damp due to the high humidity. I ended up using my own quick-dry travel towel. If you run into any issues, just let the manager know—he is very accommodating.

The location is unbeatable. Popular traveler hangouts like Chulsoo Cafe and Baba Lassi are just a 3-minute walk away. Plus, Dashashwamedh Ghat, where the daily Ganga Aarti ceremony takes place, is only a 5-minute walk from the property.

If you prefer a quiet, peaceful stay with a direct river view, Dwivedi Hotels is an excellent choice. If you are looking to socialize and find travel buddies, Ganpati Guest House might be a better fit.

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📍 Dwivedi Hotels Sri Omkar Palace
D22/10 Bengali Tola Road Near Chausatthi Temple Bengali Tola, Chausatthi Ghat, Uttar Pradesh 221001 India