Indra paying guest house — Hotel in Uttar Pradesh

Arrived in Varanasi, and stayed in an expensive place for two weeks while looking for a long-term place on the Ghats. After more than forty places, I chose Indra for several reasons. ||||The chap who runs it, Lucky, will no doubt be a wealthy man before he grows old. Unlike so many other places who wouldn't discuss rates, so they're empty low-season, we did a deal we were both happy with on the basis of me staying eight months, through the low season when very few foreign tourists are in town and hotels are generally empty. However, don't expect a deal during high season as the place is busy as is the whole city!||||My room, with a full Ganges view, was a decent size, ensuite bathroom, spotlessly clean, including the bathroom (which is the downfall of so many places). Polished stone tiled floors on the upper floor and the ever present window bars, which made me ask? Monkeys he said with a smile. And sure enough, my first morning with windows open, monkey's sat outside watching me sleep. ||||The place in general is very clean with a roof terrace, which they plan to make a cafe at some point, has a great view of the river & rooftops.||||I have a bicycle, which is happily kept on the ground floor, and Lucky, to be honest, is a very good host.||||Nothing negative to say about the place. It's tucked away just off Begali-Tola Road, with Pandey Ghat....well, you're on Pandey Ghat. Great selection of eateries within seconds walking including Brown Bread Bakery (fabulous), and very peaceful. A small store on the corner, and all the small retailers, cafes, barber shops, street food you can imaging along Bengali-Tola road. I've renamed it Diagon Alley.....it's wonderful! Everyone walks head-down watching where they're stepping. Take time to look up, some of the architecture is fantastic.||||I can recommend the samosa/dosa street food (turn right on Tola and it's on your right after maybe 60 metres - if you're at Bona Cafe you just passed it!). Samosa at R5 Dosa at R20. A very good meal for R30, all freshly cooked, not standing around attracting flies & always busy with locals. ||||I'm back again in 2018 for even longer so will contact Lucky for prices beforehand. I like living here. Simple as that, and watching guests come and go, I'd say with confidence, that they all enjoy their stay here too.||||Lucky is also good for information locally, and can recommend no end of reliable people/places. He popped me out to buy my cycle, and we got a good 'locals' price for it new. Speaks perfect English and other languages.||||I don't recommend much, but I happily recommend this place.||||I am in Varanasi March -...

I've stayed happily at Indra every year since 2017. A wonderful place. Sadly now it has new 'management' who are, how can I say politely: Incompetent, Hopeless?||I always pay monthly. The new people knew many weeks in advance I leave 18 June. On 17th I paid for 18 days. Following day the new 'manager' informed me I must pay for the whole month or I can never come back. Well, that's really easy.....I will stay elsewhere next year.||I always try to see the best in a situation but.|Since they took over in April, the place has sadly gone to the dogs. They spend money renovating but if the service is non-existent this is completely wasted.||1. Most days the water runs out and you must walk to their other hotel to inform them. Rather annoying if you're covered in soap suds.|2. When the water is available it's so full of fine heavy silt it's bad to use. It gets in your clothes when washing them, your hair when showering, all over the floor a grey deposit.|3. The aircon didn't ever work properly after previous manager removed his and this one installed. Either it leaked very heavily flooding inside the room, or when that was fixed, flooding outside all over the landing. Making it very slippery and dangerous. When they place a bucket under as a solution it helps to empty it occasionally or back to square one with the flooding.|4. The rubbish bins are only emptied once or twice a week now instead of daily before. Twice there was so much I carried the overflowing bins downstairs into their office! It was suddenly cleared!! This was especially bad in April/May & June in the heat attracting ants, flies and several times rats.||Stay there by all means. Good Luck. I certainly won't be going back sadly.||The last straw was the day I left. Greed? Strange when I was paying 40% of their monthly rent for the...

My Home from Home for eight months! Since October 2022 I've lived here and enjoyed every day. My room overlooks the Ganga, is spotlessly clean, ensuite, good bed, aircon and ceiling fan. |The guest house is on Pandey Ghat, close to everything you want to see and do. Rooftop view is a panorama of the sweep if the Ganga, stunning.||The manager, Vicki is great. A true 'nothing's a problem' guy. A mine of information, speaks many languages, and happy to arrange things. Since my last visit during covid he's completely upgraded the property.||I'll be back early next year......where else would...