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. Thank you Golu.|A testament to the establishment's commitment to guest satisfaction was the thoughtful gesture by Ajay. Upon my casual request for him to store some Coca-Cola in the hotel’s refrigerator, he went above and beyond a couple days later by equipping the premium rooms with mini refrigerators. This act of thoughtfulness not only enhanced my stay but also reflected the spirit of the Palace on the Steps: to provide a truly personalized and memorable experience.|I am filled with deep gratitude for the staff's dedication to creating such a memorable stay. The Palace on the Steps is not just an accommodation; it is a sanctuary that captures the essence of Varanasi's spiritual heart. I eagerly anticipate my return to this beautiful Haveli, a home away from home in the sacred city...
Read moreThe location of Hotel Palace on Steps is superb though one has to walk 10 min through narrow lanes from the main road. Most of the rooms have a river view although I found few of the rooms to be too small or cramped up. They have many different types of rooms.There best room is on the roof above the restaurant.
The hotel is on Rana Mahal Ghat which is just a few metres away from Daswamedh Ghat where the famed evening aratis are performed just after sundown. The building of the hotel is a very age old structure which once belonged to the Rana of Udaipur.
The rooms though are very neat and clean, you get two 1ltr mineral water bottles, electric kettle and provision to make tea or coffee, a good fast WiFi, range of toiletries in the bathroom (2 shampoo, 2 shower gels, 2soaps, 2 toothbrushes with toothpaste, a comb and a shaving kit). The rooms are air conditioned too as it gets very hot during the summer season. The bed is cosy and comfortable equipped with very high quality quilts.
As its a very old building the walls are very thick and hence theres problem with mobile network at certain areas and rooms.
The open air restaurant on the roof is fascinating with wonderful views of the ghats, river and one can spend almost the entire day admiring the sights and sounds of the city. Its a city full of life. The restaurant provides a lot of menu options and luckily everything on the card is available. (I found some of the prices to be a bit high compared to the portion served).
The Management is very good too...warm, hospitable and bang on ready to help you out on anything.
The riverside can be accessed from an age old stairway near the hotel. (NOTE: aged people may find it difficult to climb up or down the stairs as its very steep).
In all, you will love staying in Palace On Steps. Its highly recommended for a budgeted stay on the ghats with stupendous views and a very...
Read moreI was at the Hotel Elena which it's part of the Palace on Steps. The property is located on the ghat, 5min walk from the main ghat where they do the Ganga aarti. I chose a room with river views which were stunning. Although the room was slightly small for a double room, the views and location made up for it. It's not my first trip to Varanasi, last time I was at the Taj ganges and while I did have some 'Taj/Tata luxury' (nothing compare to Taj Gateway Mumbai), the location wasn't worth it, 30min to get to the ghats. A very humble place where you'll have more than what you need. I would recommend to book the taxi from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport directly with them. Slightly higher price than Uber (INR200 approx) but they were allowed to get closer to the hotel than Uber so you don't need to walk with your luggage as I did for 20min when I arrived. The food at the hotel was excellent. I'm a foreigner living in Mumbai and the food there exceeded my expectations! All the staff was super helpful and polite, but my special thanks go to Babu, he was the star of my trip. A Varanasi born guy, with excellent English and Japanese!!!! Anything you need, he will be able to help you with, from anything in the hotel to anything about the city, shopping, etc! He always has a honest smile for you and very nice and interesting person to talk to. Very professional, always respecting personal space and very much people oriented person. As a local, he knows many people so you will also get to know many interesting people if that's something you'd like to. He even volunteered to take me from the hotel to the taxi on his bike as there were a festival and the main roads where closed. Words can't express my gratitude for Babu! In a nutshell, without a shadow of a doubt I will be trying to book with them again during my next trip...
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