OYO Flagship 63401 Banarasi Kothi

The location is the only thing I liked. We arrived in Varanasi at 3:30 AM and saw a ₹2500 rate for a deluxe couple room on Trivago. I called to check, but the owner refused to honor it and asked for ₹6000, saying, “I have other people calling, take it or leave it.” We were stuck agreeing. Later, we needed more time because of a medical emergency. He first said yes, then raised the price to ₹7000. There’s no lift, so expect to climb several floors. Parking was presented as available, but it was paid, and when we asked about that he shouted instead of answering properly. The rooms were dirty and poorly maintained, the bathrooms dingy, smelly, and unhygienic, and the staff were rude, careless, and unhelpful. The owner came across as greedy and opportunistic. He puts on a religious image, but I saw no honesty or integrity in how he ran things. This was a horrible stay and felt like a complete scam. Varanasi has better hotels where you won't be overcharged, cheated, or treated badly. Avoid this place.

The rooms were filthy, with dirty floors and dingy bathrooms, and there was no sense of hygiene. Staff treated us rudely, like an inconvenience rather than paying customers. The owner had said there was parking, but left out that it was paid. When we asked, he yelled, “You asked if there’s parking, I said yes.” We arrived in Varanasi at 3:30 AM and checked Trivago, which listed a deluxe couple room at ₹2500. I called to check availability. The owner asked what price I had seen; after I said ₹2500, he demanded ₹6000 and said he wouldn't honor the online price, adding, “I have four other people calling me, take it or leave it.” We were exhausted and needed somewhere to stay, so we agreed. Later we had to extend because of a medical emergency. He first said the room was available, then suddenly asked ₹7000 for no clear reason and acted like he was doing us a favor when challenged. It felt greedy and unethical. The only good thing was the location. The owner has huge pictures of Lord Hanuman all over the hotel, but his behavior struck me as hypocritical and dishonest. It was a horrible experience, and the place felt like a scam aimed at travelers who were desperate during peak season. If filthy rooms, inflated prices, rude service, and an owner I found dishonest sound acceptable, book it. Otherwise, stay far away.

At 8:30 PM, after coming 250 km and feeling exhausted, I found out they wouldn't give me the room I'd confirmed on Oyo. The person handling things irritably showed me that day's Oyo bookings and asked where I'd booked. I pointed out my name under “arriving today,” and he changed his story, saying they'd tried calling but couldn't reach me. I showed him the confirmed booking and Oyo's acknowledgment. Then he said that because I'd used “book now and pay later,” I could cancel and find another nearby hotel. It sounded like if I'd paid anything upfront, I might have lost that too. I ended up walking another 2 km to a different hotel. Avoid this place unless you're really desperate. You can look at other reviews to see what amenities they provide. I wish ratings went below one star.

The room was clean but cramped, and the bedding and towels weren't very clean. Through Oyo, the listed amenities may not actually be provided. You do get AC and a geyser. I'd skip breakfast, which was four puris and sabji apparently brought in from a local street vendor. At the usual price of 499, it's enough.