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5-star hotels in Varanasi
This shortlist covers the 5-star hotels in Varanasi, from riverfront heritage addresses to large international chains. It is for travellers who want a top-class base for the ghats, the temples and the old city lanes.
Staying in Varanasi
Varanasi is a city built around the Ganges, where the ghats form a long waterfront of steps and the historic core is a dense network of narrow lanes and ancient temples. Life here revolves around the river, with morning and evening rituals, boat rides and cremation grounds central to Hindu beliefs about death and rebirth. It is also a centre of learning, home to Banaras Hindu University, with a rich literary and artistic heritage and a reputation for Banarasi silk and classical music. BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges and Indra Paying Guest House are in the ghats and old-city area, close to the river and the temples. Taj Nadesar Palace, Taj Ganges Varanasi, Hotel Madin, Radisson Hotel Varanasi, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi and Hotel Clarks are in the Cantonment and Mall Road area, quieter and more spacious. Hotels such as Granny's Inn, Vishwanath Inn, Narayan Palace Luxury Homestay and Ramaya Home Stay are in the central Luxa Road and Godowlia zone, within easy reach of Dashashwamedh Ghat.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Taj Nadesar Palace
Nadesar Palace Grounds, Varanasi, India
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereSet in the Nadesar Palace Grounds 3.2 km from the centre, this 5-star address pairs a garden setting with an outdoor pool and a fitness centre. Guests rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 2067 reviews. Choose it if you want a calm, formal base with a restaurant and 24-hour front desk rather than a ghat-side location.
See Taj Nadesar PalaceTaj Ganges Varanasi
Nadesar Palace Grounds, Varanasi, India
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereAlso on the Nadesar Palace Grounds, Taj Ganges Varanasi adds a spa and an outdoor pool to its garden, and keeps a fitness centre and restaurant on site. A 4.5 out of 5 rating from 8661 reviews makes it the most reviewed of these hotels. Suited to travellers who want full resort facilities and free parking 3.4 km from the centre.
See Taj Ganges VaranasiBrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges
Munshi Ghat Near Dashaswamedh, Varanasi, India
Best for: Families · Pool and spa
- Spa
- Breakfast
- Lounge
Why stay hereThe only hotel here at Munshi Ghat near Dashaswamedh, 1 km from the centre, so the river is part of the address. A fitness centre, massage and restaurant sit alongside breakfast and 24-hour front desk service. Its 4.5 out of 5 rating comes from 1478 reviews. Best for guests who want to stay among the ghats themselves.
See BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the GangesHotel Madin
The Mall Road Cantonment, Varanasi, India
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereOn The Mall Road Cantonment, 3.8 km from the centre, Hotel Madin combines an outdoor pool with a sauna and jacuzzi, plus a fitness centre and restaurant. Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 3710 reviews, it suits travellers who want wellness facilities and free parking on the Cantonment side of the city.
See Hotel MadinRadisson Hotel Varanasi
The Mall Cantontment, Varanasi, India
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereRadisson Hotel Varanasi on The Mall Cantontment offers an outdoor pool, fitness centre and massage, with a restaurant and lounge on site. The 4.2 out of 5 rating is drawn from 8379 reviews. A practical choice for guests who want extensive facilities, free parking and a Cantonment address 3.8 km from the centre.
See Radisson Hotel VaranasiRamada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi
The Mall, Varanasi, India
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Kids pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereAt The Mall, 3.6 km from the centre, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi has an outdoor pool with a separate kids pool, a jacuzzi and a fitness centre. Breakfast and buffet dining are available, and the hotel is rated 4.1 out of 5 from 5488 reviews. Families and longer stays fit well here.
See Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV VaranasiHotel Clarks
The Mall Cantt, Varanasi, India
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
Why stay hereHotel Clarks on The Mall Cantt gives guests an outdoor pool, a garden with picnic area, and a playground, alongside a fitness centre and restaurant. It holds a 4.1 out of 5 rating from 3889 reviews. A good match for families wanting outdoor space and free parking 3.8 km from the centre.
See Hotel ClarksGranny's Inn
47 96 Maksudan Bhawan Opp Pdr Mall Ramapura Luxa Road Gowdolia 221001 Varanasi India Varanasi, Varanasi, India
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Lounge
Why stay hereGranny's Inn sits 0.3 km from the centre on Luxa Road, with family rooms, a kitchen, a terrace and a lounge. Pets are allowed and parking is free. Its 3.8 out of 5 rating rests on 91 reviews. Suited to travellers who want a central, homely base with massage and bike rental on hand.
See Granny's InnIndra Paying Guest House
Varanasid24 31 A Pandey Ghat Bengali Tola, Varanasi, India
Best for: Breakfast
- Breakfast
- Kitchen
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereOn Pandey Ghat in Bengali Tola, 0.9 km from the centre, Indra Paying Guest House has a terrace, a restaurant and a kitchen, with air conditioning and a balcony. Pick it for a ghat-side position with simple in-house dining.
See Indra Paying Guest HouseAmbricana Paying Guest House
B 30 252 A 2 Nagwa Road Grond Floor, Varanasi, India
Best for: Drivers · Step-free access
- Car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereAmbricana Paying Guest House on Nagwa Road, 2.6 km from the centre, offers a terrace, car parking including self parking, and wheelchair accessibility. A shuttle service is available. It is a straightforward choice for guests who need accessible ground-floor accommodation and their own parking.
See Ambricana Paying Guest HouseRamaya Home Stay
D 56 21 H 1 Jaddumandi Meerbagh Ground Floor, Varanasi, India
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Parking
- Breakfast in room
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereRamaya Home Stay lies 0.4 km from the centre in Jaddumandi Meerbagh, with a garden, kitchen and family rooms, plus massage and a terrace. Pets are allowed and parking is available. Breakfast can be served in the room. Good for families wanting a central homestay with cooking space.
See Ramaya Home StayVishwanath Inn
Luxa Road, Varanasi, India
Best for: Families
- Family rooms
- Air conditioning
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereVishwanath Inn on Luxa Road is 0.1 km from the centre, with family rooms, a terrace and room service, plus a bar and lifts. Free WiFi and 24-hour security cover the basics. The closest address here for guests who want to be within walking reach of the central sights.
See Vishwanath InnShivalay Guest House 1.5kms From Kashi Vishwanath
Rathyatra Chhoti Gaibi Rd Jahumandi D 60 102, Varanasi, India
Best for: Travelling with pets · Business trips
- Pets allowed
- Air conditioning
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereShivalay Guest House 1.5kms From Kashi Vishwanath is 0.7 km from the centre on Chhoti Gaibi Road, with air conditioning, room service and a terrace. Pets are allowed and free WiFi is provided. A simple base for travellers who want to be near the temple area without a long commute.
See Shivalay Guest House 1.5kms From Kashi VishwanathNarayan Palace Luxury Homestay
Luxa Road Ishwar Tower 6Th Floor Falt Number 61, Varanasi, India
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Family rooms
Why stay hereNarayan Palace Luxury Homestay on Luxa Road, 0.3 km from the centre, offers family rooms, a kitchen and kitchenette, a fireplace and a balcony. Breakfast can be brought to the room and parking is free. Its sixth-floor setting and homestay format suit guests wanting space and self-catering.
See Narayan Palace Luxury HomestaySS Guest House
Sarafa Galid 37 152, Varanasi, India
Best for: Step-free access
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereSS Guest House on Sarafa Gali is 0.6 km from the centre and offers housekeeping, a shuttle service and wheelchair accessibility. With only these facilities listed, it is a minimal, central option for guests who need accessible accommodation and organised transfers.
See SS Guest House
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taj Nadesar Palace | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – | 3.2 km |
| Taj Ganges Varanasi | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 3.4 km |
| BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges | ★★★★★ | – | Yes | Yes | – | 1.0 km |
| Hotel Madin | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 3.8 km |
| Radisson Hotel Varanasi | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – | 3.8 km |
| Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 3.6 km |
| Hotel Clarks | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 3.8 km |
| Granny's Inn | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | 0.3 km |
| Indra Paying Guest House | ★★★★★ | – | Yes | – | – | 0.9 km |
| Ambricana Paying Guest House | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 2.6 km |
| Ramaya Home Stay | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | 0.4 km |
| Vishwanath Inn | ★★★★★ | – | – | – | – | 0.1 km |
| Shivalay Guest House 1.5kms From Kashi Vishwanath | ★★★★★ | – | – | – | Yes | 0.7 km |
| Narayan Palace Luxury Homestay | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | – | 0.3 km |
| SS Guest House | ★★★★★ | – | – | – | – | 0.6 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
Closest to the centre
Vishwanath Inn is the nearest of all, at 0.1 km from the centre, with Granny's Inn at 0.3 km, Narayan Palace Luxury Homestay at 0.3 km and Ramaya Home Stay at 0.4 km.
Vishwanath Inn · Granny's Inn · Narayan Palace Luxury Homestay · Ramaya Home Stay
For couples
Taj Nadesar Palace pairs a garden setting in the Nadesar Palace Grounds with a 4.8 rating from 2067 reviews, a spa-standard spread of massage, outdoor pool and restaurant facilities. BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges sits at Munshi Ghat and scores 4.5 from 1478 reviews, with river views and a 1.0 km distance to the centre.
For families
Taj Ganges Varanasi lists family-friendly facilities including cots, an outdoor pool, garden and restaurant, with a 4.5 rating from 8661 reviews. Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi adds a kids pool, garden and family rooms, rated 4.1 from 5488 reviews. Ramaya Home Stay offers family rooms, a kitchen and garden for a homestay-style stay.
Taj Ganges Varanasi · Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi · Ramaya Home Stay
Largest and best reviewed
By review numbers, Taj Ganges Varanasi is the most reviewed on the list with 8661, followed by Radisson Hotel Varanasi with 8379. On rating, Taj Nadesar Palace leads at 4.8 from 2067 reviews, with Taj Ganges Varanasi and BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges both at 4.5.
Taj Ganges Varanasi · Taj Nadesar Palace · BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges
Where to stay in Varanasi
Cantonment
The Cantonment, or Cantt, is a quieter, more spacious area with wider roads, parks and many hotels, including large international chains. It is close to the railway station and about a 20-30 minute drive from the ghats. Hotel Madin on The Mall Road Cantonment, Radisson Hotel Varanasi on The Mall Cantontment and Hotel Clarks on The Mall Cantt are all here.
Our picks here: Hotel Madin
The Mall
The Mall is the broad avenue of the Cantonment area, lined with the large hotels of Varanasi. Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi sits on The Mall, with a garden, outdoor pool, kids pool and business centre among its facilities, and the ghats a drive away rather than a walk.
Our picks here: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Varanasi is served by Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, about 25 km from the city centre, with domestic and some international flights. The main railway station, Varanasi Junction, connects to major cities including New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. By road, it is well connected to other parts of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states. Within the city, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and taxis are common, and app-based services operate in some areas. The old city around the ghats is best explored on foot, as many lanes are too narrow for vehicles.
When to go
The best time to visit Varanasi is from October to March, when the weather is cooler and drier, with temperatures ranging from mild to warm. This period includes several festivals, such as Dev Deepawali and Makar Sankranti. Summers from April to June are very hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. The monsoon season from July to September brings high humidity and heavy rainfall, which can disrupt travel and river activities.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to the centre of Varanasi?
Vishwanath Inn on Luxa Road is the closest, 0.1 km from the centre. Granny's Inn on Luxa Road and Narayan Palace Luxury Homestay on Luxa Road are each 0.3 km away, and Ramaya Home Stay in Jaddumandi is 0.4 km away.
Which 5-star hotel in Varanasi has the best guest rating?
Taj Nadesar Palace has the highest rating on this list, 4.8 out of 5 from 2067 reviews. Taj Ganges Varanasi and BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges follow at 4.5, from 8661 and 1478 reviews respectively.
Do any of these hotels allow pets?
Taj Ganges Varanasi, Granny's Inn, Ramaya Home Stay and Shivalay Guest House 1.5kms From Kashi Vishwanath list pets allowed among their facilities. Other hotels on the list do not state pets allowed in their data.
Which hotels have a pool?
Taj Nadesar Palace, Taj Ganges Varanasi, Hotel Madin, Radisson Hotel Varanasi, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi and Hotel Clarks list an outdoor pool. Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi also lists a kids pool.
Which hotels have free parking?
Taj Nadesar Palace, Taj Ganges Varanasi, Hotel Madin, Radisson Hotel Varanasi, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi, Hotel Clarks and Granny's Inn all list free car parking. Narayan Palace Luxury Homestay also lists free car parking.
Is breakfast included at these Varanasi hotels?
BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges lists breakfast, and Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi lists breakfast and buffet. Granny's Inn, Hotel Madin, Indra Paying Guest House and Narayan Palace Luxury Homestay also list breakfast among their facilities.
Which hotels are good for families with children?
Taj Ganges Varanasi lists cots and an outdoor pool, and Ramada Plaza by Wyndham JHV Varanasi lists a kids pool and family rooms. BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges, Ramaya Home Stay, Vishwanath Inn and Narayan Palace Luxury Homestay list family rooms.
Which hotels are near the ghats and the river?
BrijRama Palace Varanasi By the Ganges is at Munshi Ghat near Dashaswamedh, 1.0 km from the centre, and Indra Paying Guest House is at Pandey Ghat Bengali Tola, 0.9 km away. Both list river among their facilities.