Your stay — Kewal Palace
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The Property — Kewal Palace
Kewal Palace is a three-star hotel on Assi Ghat, offering simple, clean rooms that overlook the Ganges from some of the upper floors. The vibe is functional and no-frills, suited to pilgrim tourists and independent travellers who want an affordable base right on the ghat steps. The lobby has worn marble floors, a small reception desk and the faint smell of incense – it feels like a busy but practical transit point, not a retreat.
Chronicles of Varanasi
Varanasi, also called Kashi, is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with settlement dating back to the 11th century BCE under Aryan influence. Its architectural identity is dominated by narrow, maze-like lanes (galis) and hundreds of temples, many rebuilt after Mughal destruction in the 17th century. The ghats – stone steps leading to the Ganges – were largely constructed during the Maratha and British periods, and the city remains the spiritual heart of Hinduism, drawing millions for ritual bathing and death ceremonies along the river. Today, Varanasi balances a booming tourism economy with its ancient role as a centre of learning and textile production, particularly silk weaving.
Best Time to Visit
Full Varanasi guide →Best months
November and February offer clear skies, daytime highs around 25C and moderate humidity, with the major crowds of October and March receding.
Peak / festival surge
March–April sees the Gangaur festival and Holi in March, plus rising heat up to 38C; hotel prices can spike 30-50% over February rates for Holi.
Budget shoulder season
July and August are the lowest season, with heavy monsoon downpours and 35C-plus humidity – rooms often 40-60% cheaper than November.
Weather & packing
Varanasi in July is hot and drenching: monsoon bursts hit suddenly. Pack quick-dry trail shoes or waterproof sandals, not city trainers that will stay wet for days.
Live City Briefing — Varanasi
- The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, opened in December 2021, is still diverting pilgrims away from old lanes near the Gyanvapi Mosque – expect blockages and extra rickshaw time from Assi Ghat to the temple.
- Several new ghats have been concreted for monsoon safety in 2025, but Assi Ghat's main steps remain open for evening aarti; check local notices for submergence after heavy rain.
- Uber and Ola rickshaws now operate from Varanasi Junction, but surge pricing hits during peak monsoon squalls – negotiate cash fares first from the station stand.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Kewal Palace, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. Upper floors reduce street noise from Varanasi's congested streets, and these levels offer reasonable views without being too high (if building height allows).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level noise and limited privacy) and any rooms directly overlooking the main entrance or parking area, as traffic and guest activity can be disruptive.
Best views
Rooms on the side facing away from the main road may offer a quieter aspect, possibly overlooking a courtyard or neighbouring buildings. No guaranteed scenic view from this 3-star city hotel.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are likely quieter, being above street hubbub but not top-floor (if no lift access to very top).
🔊 Noise notes
Main source is road traffic from Varanasi's busy streets, with possible honking, auto-rickshaws, and pedestrian noise. Early morning temple processions or calls to prayer can add noise.
Insider tips
1) If arriving by car, request a room away from the parking area to avoid early comings-and-goings. 2) Check-in after 2pm to avoid waiting—rooms may not be ready earlier, and you can scout a quieter room on arrival.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Kewal Palace
Complimentary Wi-Fi for up to 2 devices per room; typical speed 10 Mbps; login via room number and surname.
One lift serves all guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader on in-room tablets; no physical newspapers.
Standard check-in from 12:00; early bag drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs ₹1500 per room, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage at reception for early arrivals and late departures.
Step-free access from street to lobby via a ramp; one wheelchair-accessible room on the ground floor; lift serves all floors, but interior door widths (28 inches) may limit larger wheelchairs.
No on-site parking; nearest public parking is Godowlia Parking Lot (1.5 km) at ₹100 per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; a refundable security deposit of ₹1000 per room per night is held on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Hanuman Temple (857 m · ~11 min walk)
- Hindu temple: VT BACKYARD (889 m · ~11 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Karmanveer Baba TEMPLE (924 m · ~12 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Vishwanath Temple (980 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
shop entrance — 2.6 km · ~32 min walk
NEW GIRLS HOSTEL PARK. — 355 m · ~4 min walk
Bharat Kala Bhavan — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Rajputana Cricket Ground — 775 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 52 m · ~1 min walk
Awadh Medicals — 111 m · ~1 min walk
mahika general store — 348 m · ~4 min walk
DG Corner Stationery — 730 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Use forex counters in the main bazaar or a bank ATM; the airport and hotel desks have poor rates, so avoid them.
Cards work at mid-range hotels and some shops, but cash is king at smaller stalls, temples, and for auto-rickshaws. Contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge. Taxis: round up to the nearest 10-20 rupees. Hotel staff: 50-100 rupees for bag help or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee at a basic chai stall or small cafe: around 30-50 rupees.
A thali (rice, dal, veg curry, chapati) at a simple eatery: 100-150 rupees.
A main from a small restaurant (e.g. biryani or paneer dish): 150-200 rupees.
Assi Ghat and the lanes around Dashashwamedh Ghat are packed with vendors selling chaat, kachori, and lassi for 20-60 rupees.
No big supermarket chains; look for small 'general stores' or 'kirana' shops—fruit and vegetables from the morning market near the ghats.
Thateri Bazaar and the narrow alleys near Vishwanath Temple have cheap cotton kurtas, scarves, and silk—bargaining expected.
Cycle rickshaw short trips 30-50 rupees; auto-rickshaw shared or short 50-100 rupees; no bus day pass. From airport, prepaid taxi counter to city costs around 600-800 rupees, or catch a shared auto-rickshaw for 150-200 rupees per person to the cantonment area.
Eat at basic 'bhojanalayas' (vegetarian canteens) instead of tourist cafes, use shared boat rides rather than private, and negotiate boat and rickshaw fares before you get in.
Good to know — Varanasi
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.72 · INR
Emergency Contacts
VaranasiAll three numbers are toll-free and can be dialed from any phone in India. For tourist assistance in Varanasi, contact the Uttar Pradesh Tourism helpline at 1800-180-8000 (toll-free) or visit the Varanasi Tourist Information Center. Major hospitals include Banaras Hindu University Hospital and Shiv Prasad Gupta Hospital.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Varanasi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Kewal Palace
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 52 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Awadh Medicals — 111 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Rajendra Prasad Ghat / Cantonment Station → Godaulia / Dashashwamedh Ghat area
💡 Extremely crowded but authentic. Limited English signage; ask locals for confirmation. Best for budget-conscious travelers
Varanasi Cantonment Station → Varanasi Junction (for city access)
💡 Useful for reaching cantonment area from airport. Not directly to hotel but connects to main transport hubs. Slower than taxi but cultural experience
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) → Temple on Ganges Hotel
💡 Book prepaid taxi from airport counter to avoid negotiation. Ola/Uber available but cash backup recommended due to poor connectivity in old city
Godaulia Crossing / Dashashwamedh Ghat → Temple on Ganges Hotel
💡 Most convenient for local transit in old city. Agree on fare before boarding. Peak ghat hours (5-7 AM) have highest availability
About Varanasi
Wikipedia ↗
Varanasi (Hindi pronunciation: [ʋaːˈɾaːɳəsi], also Benares, Banaras Hindustani pronunciation: [bəˈnaːɾəs]), or Kashi, is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world. The city also has a syncretic tradit...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Kewal Palace?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. Upper floors reduce street noise from Varanasi's congested streets, and these levels offer reasonable views without being too high (if building height allows).
Which rooms should I avoid at Kewal Palace?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor (street-level noise and limited privacy) and any rooms directly overlooking the main entrance or parking area, as traffic and guest activity can be disruptive.
Is Kewal Palace noisy?
Main source is road traffic from Varanasi's busy streets, with possible honking, auto-rickshaws, and pedestrian noise. Early morning temple processions or calls to prayer can add noise.
Which rooms have the best views at Kewal Palace?
Rooms on the side facing away from the main road may offer a quieter aspect, possibly overlooking a courtyard or neighbouring buildings. No guaranteed scenic view from this 3-star city hotel.
What are insider tips for staying at Kewal Palace?
1) If arriving by car, request a room away from the parking area to avoid early comings-and-goings. 2) Check-in after 2pm to avoid waiting—rooms may not be ready earlier, and you can scout a quieter room on arrival.
What time is check-in at Kewal Palace?
Check-in at Kewal Palace is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Kewal Palace have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary Wi-Fi for up to 2 devices per room; typical speed 10 Mbps; login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Kewal Palace?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Kewal Palace?
A thali (rice, dal, veg curry, chapati) at a simple eatery: 100-150 rupees.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Kewal Palace?
Cycle rickshaw short trips 30-50 rupees; auto-rickshaw shared or short 50-100 rupees; no bus day pass. From airport, prepaid taxi counter to city costs around 600-800 rupees, or catch a shared auto-rickshaw for 150-200 rupees per person to the cantonment area.
When is the best time to visit Varanasi?
November and February offer clear skies, daytime highs around 25C and moderate humidity, with the major crowds of October and March receding.
Top Attractions in Varanasi
💡 Arrive by 5pm to claim a spot on the steps; avoid the overpriced boat seats unless you want a watery view.
💡 Free entry and no camera fee; combine with a walk to nearby Durga Kund for a calm morning. Open till noon for morning darshan.
💡 Cycle rickshaws are the easiest way to cover the grounds; haggle for 50-100 INR for a short ride from the gate to the temple.
💡 Entry is free, but expect to pay 100-200 INR for a locker to store shoes and phones. Go early (4-6am) to avoid 1hr+ waits.
💡 Park entry is 5 INR (Indian) or 100 INR (foreigners); museum is separate at 5 INR/100 INR. Combine both in 2 hours; auto from Varanasi costs 200-300 INR.