Hotel Aastha

The hotel is newly constructed and still a work in progress, so not having bathroom locks wasn’t an issue for me. Everything else was good. Though it’s on the main road, auto drivers didn’t know the hotel and sometimes refused to drop us there when we were coming back from somewhere. Service wasn’t up to the mark either: I asked for a bathroom mug, but because the hotel is new, they didn’t provide one for almost eight hours. I eventually took one from another open room and got on with things. The cost is high, possibly because of kumba mela.

I’d wait to book. There are plenty of places to choose from around Pandey Haveli, and this hotel costs more than the ones beside it.

We arrived to find out there was no room for us because the hotel said it needed renovation, even though Makemytrip had called to confirm a late check-in and that a room was available. The staff weren't much help, so we had to sort out the refund with Makemytrip ourselves. They said someone had called us before we got there. I did get a call while we were on the train, but the caller just kept saying “Hello! Hello!” and didn't explain anything. That was three hours after Makemytrip had confirmed the booking. This felt very unprofessional, and not up to the standard of other Indian hotels.

The lodge is nicely maintained, and it’s very close to the Ganga Ghats. You can walk along the road to Raja Ghat, Kariveni Brahmana Annadana Satram, Andhra Ashram, and other places. It’s also beside the main road between the city and Viswanath temple. They have AC and non-AC rooms for two, three, or four people. From here it’s easy to get around Varanasi by cycle rickshaw, auto, or electric auto. Telugu-speaking pilgrims may find it especially convenient, with Andhra food nearby.