Taj Gateway Hotel Ganges

Varanasi


The good: it's set on nearly 2 hectares of beautiful gardens with fruit trees, a tennis court, a pool and an outdoor yoga centre. The not-so-good: while the rooms are perfectly nice, they're predictable to the point of feeling generic. The best ones are the corner rooms.

Service is, as expected, top-class and there are two fine restaurants, two bars and a spa. For a more unique (and much more expensive) experience, head to the Taj Hotel's nearby Nadesar Palace, where rooms rates start at about ₹52,000.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Varanasi attractions

2. Vishwanath Temple

2.31 MILES

There are temples at almost every turn in Varanasi, but this is the most famous of the lot. It is dedicated to Vishveswara – Shiva as lord of the universe…

3. Gate 2

2.33 MILES

Foreigners should enter gate 2 (the Hindu exit) for access to Vishwanath Temple.

4. Alamgir Mosque

2.45 MILES

Dominating Panchganga Ghat, this small mosque was built by Aurangzeb on the site of a large Vishnu temple.

5. Ram Ghat

2.46 MILES

North from Scindhia Ghat, Ram Ghat was built by a maharaja of Jaipur.

6. Panchganga Ghat

2.47 MILES

Just beyond Ram Ghat, this ghat marks where five holy rivers are supposed to meet.

7. Manikarnika Ghat

2.47 MILES

Manikarnika Ghat, the main burning ghat, is the most auspicious place for a Hindu to be cremated. Dead bodies are handled by outcasts known as doms, and…

8. Dattatreya Ghat

2.48 MILES

Dattatreya takes its name from a Brahmin saint, whose footprint is preserved in a small temple nearby.