The India Benares

Pradeep Rathour took great care of our dining experience, suggested excellent dishes, and made sure everything arrived hot and fresh. The food was delicious, and the masala tea is a must-try. We spent three pleasant days here and received great hospitality, with Pranshu making sure our concerns were addressed. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. Thanks to the whole team, highly recommended!

At ₹7,000 a night, I expected the room and service at The India Banaras to feel ready for guests. Instead, basic amenities were missing when I checked in, and I had to call for toiletries and shower caps. What arrived had squashed, discarded-looking packaging that made me wonder if the items had been salvaged from previous guests and put back into circulation. When I asked reception why a room for two wasn’t stocked, they bluntly said these things were provided only “on demand.” That kind of response is frustrating at this price. A premium rate should come with a basic level of preparation, and having to request essential toiletries feels preposterous. My stay didn’t match the “extra premium” price or expectations, and the service felt like a constant on-demand hassle. If you want proactive service that reflects what you’re paying, you might want to look elsewhere in Varanasi. The current management approach at The India Banaras felt more like a budget hostel than a premium hotel.

I called the hotel because I was considering staying there and spoke with Mr Shushil. He sounded like he didn’t want to give me a room, saying I could stay if I wanted, but otherwise it wasn’t needed. I didn’t expect to be spoken to that way. Dear hotel management, please address this. A first impression should be polite and convincing.

The rooms are spacious, and the hotel is nice, though it costs more than the service seems to justify. I booked expecting a four-star hotel, but the service felt more like three-star level, so I wouldn’t rate it as four stars. The cleaning, restaurant, and housekeeping staff were friendly. The older rooms have a slight smell, while the new ones are good and luxurious.