Suryauday Haveli, Uttar Pradesh

Location 

The Ganges, one of the world’s most sacred and revered rivers, flows West to East through Varanasi. For thousands of years this city in the northern province of Uttar Pradesh has been a holy site, and the stepped embankments teem with people using the river as a bath, washing machine, crematorium and workplace all at once. The Suryauday Haveli is located right in the middle of the action on the Shivala Ghats.

 Accommodation 

The hotel’s fourteen rooms have a cosy atmosphere and each is charmingly decorated. The signature room however, is the Shivala Suite, with a spacious seating area, and a prime view of the riverside, providing a constantly changing scene outside. The rooms are arranged around an attractive central courtyard and all have en-suite bathrooms.

Dining 

Dedicated meat-eaters may initially be fazed by the vegetarian ethos of the restaurant, but there are so many diverse and colourful options that dining here is a delight. There is outdoor seating in the courtyard, and the rooftop terrace is a perfect spot for light snacks and drinks at sundown.

Facilities

The rooftop terrace is also a lovely setting for the daily yoga classes, allowing guests to practise age-old meditation skills in one of the most spiritual spots on earth. In the immediate vicinity, hotel staff can organise walking trips around the Old Town and to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, as well as boat trips on the river. On day excursions you can explore the Buddhist towns and temples of Sarnath and Bodh Gaya.