Ganga Lahari, Haridwar

The rooftop restaurant has lovely views, and the food is very good. It’s vegetarian only, like restaurants in Haridwar and Rishikesh generally, but the choice and variety are impressive, and the dishes taste great. The rooms were comfortable enough, though nothing special. We wished we could open a window for fresh air, but there wasn’t an outside-facing window. The location is right in the spiritual heart of Haridwar, beside the canal where ceremonies, rituals, bathing, and floating ashes take place.

If you’re visiting Haridwar for religious reasons, this is a good place to go. There’s a Ganga ghat here for bathing. Manakamna temple is around a 10-15 minute walk away, and you can take a cable car up to the temple.

If you’re staying here and want to donate things to homeless people in Haridwar, ask for Sunil. He’s a genuine person who says not to give money, but to provide things instead. He also offered to sort out anything we needed so we wouldn’t get scammed, and made our stay really pleasant. I’d come back for the accommodation and hospitality.

Ganga Lahari has just 16 rooms and is run by the same group as Aloha By The Ganges. Its standout feature is the location, right amid the bustle around Harki Pauri and a five-minute walk from the Ganga Arti sthal. There are also iconic Haridwar eateries nearby. The cafe has a breathtaking view, and the food is surprisingly good despite all the famous places around. We tried the lemon coriander soup and dahi ke shole, both worth ordering. The staff’s personal welcome starts from the time of booking, and small complimentary arrangements add to the experience. Mr. Bajaj, the activity manager, is passionate about showing people around Haridwar. There are a few tradeoffs. Cars can’t reach the doorway, so you need to park at Deendayal Upadhyay parking and walk about 10 minutes. They provide porter service, so luggage isn’t a problem, though elderly or sick travelers may need a wheelchair. The ghat is right in front, probably five steps away, but it isn’t a private ghat. Prices are somewhat high compared with properties offering similar amenities. If staying at Harki Pauri is essential, though, this is hard to beat.