The location of Alka is really good, close to the 'burning' ghat and the main ghats where the ceremonies are each evening. It's right on the riverside with a large terrace where you can sit and look at the Ganges. The food is ok - thali, pancakes and coffee were all good - but the service from the waiters was... more

Located right above Meer Ghat, 30 meters from Dasaswamedh Gath, and 20 meters or so from the Burning Ghats. An amazing location. At night you can enjoy a drink (will not specify, as certain drinks are ‘illegal’) in the courtyard. In the morning you can site and enjoy breakfast – pretty decent, and overlook the Ganges. The rooms are OK,... more

We stayed seven nights. We made our reservation by phone. The hotel offered the option of pick up from the train station for a fee. It was convenient for us given the location of the hotel right on Meer Ghat in the old city. (Our train was several hours late but Mr Bappu waited on the platform for our arrival).... more

We wanted to give it a try and booked for the most expensive room in Alka, the location is very nice having a private stairs to the ghat, but it has a drawback common to all hotels in this area: if you have a lot of luggage you must carry it by hand as there is no cars or autorickshaws... more

We really think that the price of this hotel is to much for the things it gives back to the client. We had to pay for the pick up at the railway station and it was too expensive (100 rupees) for the distance it was. We booked the best room but the only thing "best" it was a tinny balcony... more

The best place to stay on the waterfront in Varanasi if you are a backpacker. A breath of fresh air walking into the lobby off the streets. Very open and clean atmosphere, with pleasant and attentive staff. The courtyard layout makes it quite relaxing. They arranged pick-up from the train station and a taxi to take us to our next... more

As seen in other reviews too, we also had an issue that no room was available on arrival despite having a reservation. The staff was extremely unfriendly and changing between two different explanations: the "sick guest story" and a fairytale about guests that got lost in Varanasi and thus failed to check out on time. Only after half an hour... more

Alka hotel has a great location and the potential to be a lovely hotel, with a paint job and new staff. We found the hotel in the Lonely Planet guidebook which gave it a decent write up. We corresponded by email with one of the staff at hotel Alka and the assured us that someone would be there to pick... more

This hotel is hard to find hidden down tiny walkways. I recommend calling the hotel before you arrive and they will arrange a rickshaw to collect you and the driver will walk you to the hotel. when you know your way it is a 5min walk from where a rickshaw can drive to. we had a cheap room with no... more