ILIKA STAYS (DASHASHWAMEDH GHAT)

great staff. amazing services. will come back again

everything was fine.

Staying within a temple math right beside Dashashwamedh Ghat was a true localised experience. The location is unbeatable—just steps away from the location of Ganga aarti and the spiritual heartbeat of the city. The host Atul and staff were incredibly warm and accommodating. Their quiet hospitality added to the serenity of the space. You can even opt for a tour of the city with the host Atul who makes sure that you remember Varanasi not just for the sightseeing but imbibe the culture, the spirituality and the devotion of this holy city. The rooms are simple but clean and thoughtfully maintained—exactly what you’d hope for in a sacred city like Varanasi. It’s not luxury, but it’s soulful, peaceful, and deeply connected to the essence of the city. I’d return in a heartbeat.

Nothing at all. Everything was highly appropriate.

Location is at ghaat which is good .

Room was v small..on 3rd floor with no lift and not comfortable. Staff was very good and courteous though..

あいにく天気は良くありませんでしたが、オーナーがバラナシ観光の案内をしてくれてとても良かったです！

The stay has a temple inside the building. The host is very nice. The rooms were clean and tidy. Location is excellent. Nearest to market and dashashwamedh ghat. Excellent

Great location and room, staff was really nice and helpful

-

Very peaceful place Very kind owner Near to Gang and everythings that you think !

Perfect location. It's a hostel and a temple at the same time. Atyl, the owner of the hostel, is always willing to answer questions and give tips about the city. I will definitely stay here again. Atyl also guided us on a walking and boat tour of the city, which I recommend you do to understand more about Varanasi's culture.

If you care about luxury, it's not for you, it's simple but has everything you need

Great location, full of character. Atul and the staff were great, helpful and knowledgable Hope to return soon

The staff were incredible here they all went above and beyond to make our stay incredible, especially given this is one of the busiest times to visit Varanasi! The rooms were clean and the showers were also good. We only had one night here but I would have happily of spent longer here.

The room was cozy and inviting, location was great – right next to the Ghat where you can see the ceremonies. It was easy to find the place, and even tho it is very central, it feels quite private. The room was clean and tidy, also the bathroom. It had nice ambient lights, which create relaxing atmosphere after being outside in the busy city all day. It is a great value for money. Hosts were super friendly, gave us good advice on how to navigate the city and what to see, they were also very responsive and online communication went smoothly and quickly.

Water pressure in our bathroom was barely enough, could still manage, but it would be a nice improvement. At some moments communication with hosts was a bit excessive to my taste – e.g. we were going to a restaurant one day, and the host who met us downstairs almost insisted that we should go to the place that he suggests instead, and check the one that we planned initially tomorrow. Other than that, maybe a shelf could be added to store the clothes, we just had to keep ours in an open suitcase on the floor.

Location was perfect

It’s a very intense environment and in hindsight I would’ve enjoyed a place with some kind of restful atmosphere abd more comfortable beds. The dorm room offered some calm but just outside the dorm door you immediately meet the vibrant city.

Welcoming host and staff. Fantastic central location. Rooms basic but satisfactory and comfortable. Unique place to stay with wonderful residents.

The location was perfect for exploring the Ghats, starting from Dashashwarmedh, and for viewing the fire aarti each evening at 6pm. The room was comfy and the facilities were good. Based on another review, we came with a bedsheet we could use under the warm blanket, and this was perfect for the time of year (December). The ashram feels very calm and you get a partial view into the lives of some of Varanasi's residents. However, it was the staff at Ikika Stays that made our trip. Atul, our host, provided us with a deep level of insight into this incredible city on the three tours we did with him - a walking tour, a boat tour and a temple tour (all very reasonably priced!). Not only that, but his open and generous attitide meant that he helped us and guided us with much more than just information about the city. He thoughtfully shared his perspective and experiences with us and we were overjoyed to have the insider's view into Varanasi on so many things - spirituality, religious practice, food, everyday life, and of course - the chai! We send our heartfelt thanks to Atul and his reliable and helpful team for a wonderful four days in Varanasi - we consider our choice to stay at Ilika Stays one of our best decisions in our India trip!

Great location, most sights were reachable in walking distance. Great athmosphere due to the fact that it's an old Ashram. Our host was great, he was very helpful, gave good recommendations and even took the time to give us a walking tour around the old town 🙂 He helped us organize a early morning boat trip and we were also able to do our laundry there. We would definitely come again and recommend the authentic experience in the Ashram!

Since we came in Winter, the room was a bit cold, but that was the same all over in India

This is a really special place to stay. The rooms are upstairs above a Hindu temple. Atul, who manages it is a remarkable man. His knowledge of Varanasi and his understanding of Hinduism is profound. Our experience here was totally enriched by meeting him and having the opportunity to talk with him. He is an incredible host and really took care of us: from recommending the best places to eat to introducing us to a Vedic astrologer when we asked about it. All the staff, are absolutely lovely and helped whenever we needed it. And on top of all of this, the location is amazing: just up from Dashashwahmed Ghat. I can't recommend this place enough. I will be telling all my friends about it and without a doubt would stay here again if ever I am lucky enough to return to Varanasi.

amazing unique place to stay right in the heart of varanasi piping hot water calm amongst the chaos attentive and knowledgeable host. would definitely stay again

nothing to say here - everything was perfect

Best place that I have been in Varanasi honestly! It is shared with an ashram which makes it such a unique place. Location is central but very very quiet. Bed are comfy and I felt really in peace and comfortable in the dorm. Owner and workers were so nice!

Excellent stay

Concept and idea behind the stays

Please carry mosquitoes repellant

The room is very basic but clean. The property is a traditional Indian Ashram house, which creates a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The staff is friendly and helpful, making sure we felt at home throughout our stay. The location is perfect – just next to the Dashashwamedh Ghat, yet it remains calm and quiet, offering a nice retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of Varanasi. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a peaceful, authentic experience close to the Ghat.

The location is great, just next to the Dashashwamedh Ghat where Ganga Aarti takes place. You can walk through the Ghats along Ganges and see what Varanasi is all about. You are also close to the main streets with all the stores, and food places. It was our first stay in Ashram and we really enjoyed it. It is a calm place and Atul manager was extremely helpful and welcoming. He walked with us to the Dashashwamedh Ghat and told us about the evening prayer, gave general tips about the city, recommended some food places, and gave other recommendations such as what to be careful about or where to get a taxi to the airport. It was really helpful and much appreciated. Thank you :) Room was really clean and comfortable, WiFi worked perfectly. A nice plus would be if the blankets had covers. Besides that, there is nothing to complain about.

nothing, not recommended

The property staff displayed unprofessional and unethical behavior. They offered an Rs. 800 discount in exchange for canceling my online booking. Although I made a 50% advance payment online, upon arrival, they demanded the remaining payment be made to a different bank account registered under someone else's name. When I refused to comply with their terms, they denied check-in, causing significant inconvenience as I was traveling with my senior citizen parents. Additionally, they collected taxes (Goods & Service Tax) but refused to provide an invoice at check-out. Without the invoice, I am unable to submit a travel reimbursement claim, resulting in a financial loss. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this issue through Booking.com's customer care, no resolution has been provided.

Ambience and comfort

We need to walk three floors

The staff were great & really went out there way to help, particularly when I got sick. Peaceful energy, some great characters around the place & an ideal location as everything you need is within walking distance.

My only negative is the bed could be softer but that’s been the case in most places across India in a similar price range!

ILIKA Stays is located right next to one of the main ghats, couldn't be better, you step right into the street life of Varanasi and just one minuter away is the gath itself. We sat for hours just watching what was happening around the gath and at dusk there is the aarti celebration. In the same building as the rooms there is an ashram with sadhus living there. Our host, Atul, was very helpful with arranging transportation, guiding us at the temples and more. We could just relax and enjoy the city, no need for negotiating prizes, finding a guide and so on. Sarnath is just 30 minutes away from Varanasi, very peaceful and quiet.

The bed is very simple, I found it a bit hard to sleep on. The shower and bathroom is very basic.

It's very old ashram perfect peace full stay. Temple in side. I liked very much. Staffs are also very good

Nothing

Staff very nice and helpful. Very good localisation! I recommend this place.

The guest rooms are located in a traditional Indian Ashram house. The room equipment is very basic, but in return you can feel the real atmosphere of living in a typical Indian Ashram, which you will not experience anywhere else. Very good wi-fi and very effective air conditioning. Place is very safe and secure. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I was traveling alone, in India I had limited access to the phone and the internet, so it was very important to me that from the moment I arrived in Varanasi, the hotel staff contacted me, picked me up from the taxi and took me to the hotel. Similarly, on the way back - the hotel manager helped me order a taxi and waited with me for the taxi to arrive. This is a rare and very customer-friendly approach. It is worth taking advantage of the tours offered by the hotel staff; Atul showed me most of the places worth seeing, including all the Ghats, organized a boat trip on the Ganges. This made it much easier for me to explore Varanasi on my own later, because I already had a basic orientation. The location of the property could not be better - in the very centre of the old part of the city and just a 2-minute walk from Dashashwamedh Ghat, where Ganga Aarti takes place in the evening.

The room facilities were very basic, I personally missed a small fridge and a kettle. Remember to bring your own toiletries as the property only provides toilet paper and towels. The shower only has cold water, which was no problem for me due to the high temperatures.

The location was great although difficult to reach by car but maybe that had to do with diwali. No breakfast in the ashram but lots of possibilities in the neighbourhood. Atul and Venay manage the place. They were great. They help whenever i needed something. Organise a boat trip at sunrise or take you on a walking tour or bargaining for your rickshaw. It was my first time in India. I was lucky to have them around.

The room was very basic, just so you know. But perfect actually. The noise was unbelievable at times but of course it was diwali.

The staff was super helpful when I fell sick with flu. From bringing me water and fruits, they would check in on me to make sure I was ok. Location is only few metres away from the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat where the famous Ganga Aarti happens. The stay supports an ashram and widows.

There is no tuk tuk / auto rickshaw till the premise. You need to take a cycle rickshaw the last stretch.

This is an Ashram, not a hotel. Amenities are basic, as per the description. Great place to stay in the heart of Varanasi. Be aware that TukTuks cannot come to the property. We arrived late and we were nicely guided through the maze of narrow streets via WhatsApp location by the manager. Friendly manager and great tips for what to see and do.

It’s in the prime location and if anyone looking for budget stay with comfort then it’s a great deal for them.

Good location

Wifi not working in the room. SO hot even with the fan, a lot of power cuts and not comfortable

Good location, staff was very helpful and good vibe persons. You must to know it's an ashram, respect persons are living in. Very good feeling inside. You have attraction very close!

Everything was fine! I recommend this place!

I liked the location of the stay as its a stone's throw from Dashashwamedh ghat and the Vishwanath mandir. Also, staff hospitability was good

There is hardly any facility. There should be a minimum Ceiling fan in the dorm room for travellers to survive the Varanasi heat. There should have been a water filter near the dorm. Washroom should have a handshower. Rooms can be made more aesthetic

We had a stay for 5 days, had extremely good experience with them. Hospitality was good. All the staff who has served us was extremely polite and helpful. Location is perfect for accessing all the important points of the city. There was some issue with the air conditioner rest all was good.

Air conditioner and room service

Ilika was the perfect find! Centrally located close to all the ghats. The hosts of Ilika were extremely helpful and helped me with my luggage to the hotel when I arrived late. I like that it also gives back to the community and sadhus of varanasi.

The location was great!

Excellent 🤩

Nothing

Perfect posición! The staff very fríendly And very available! Nice the situación with the little temple inside. The room is ok, not super confortable but ok, the Bathroom Is Without sink

Close to the main temple , staff waiting for late check in and available on phone during late check ins. Close to the main Ghat.

Pricey- Continuous power shutdown leading to no hot water and Aircon- Narrow Stairs and dark very difficulty with elderly and kids. Slippery surface during rainy days. Low roof Bathroom , bit tricky for 6ft and above to take shower.

Very nice location and owner

The guest house is located in the heart of Varanasi, a 1-minute walk from the famous Dashashwamedh Ghat, where every evening you can attend the Aarti ceremony. The rooms are basic, clean and tidy and are located inside an ashram, where monks take care of the temple. The owner, Atul, was very kind and helpful, he accompanied us to the most important places in the city, providing us with valuable information that made us better understand the culture and magic of this wonderful city.

Had great experience at this place. The cuisine offered was exceptional👌👌. Special thanks to them for making this trip budget friendly.

Wonderful hospitality! The staff is warm and accommodating. Best thing is that its prime location makes it easy to explore Varanasi's attractions.

Our stay was exceptional at ILIKAS STAYS. Very welcoming, helpful and warm-hearted people running the home-stay/ashram. I felt very safe there especially as a woman. The room incl. bathroom was clean, AC and fan were working properly and mattresses were comfortable. The location is just perfect for discovering Varanasi's vast spiritual and historical treasures and the guesthouse is easy to find. We consider our time there as very precious and would recommend everybody to stay at ILIKA STAYS during their time in Varanasi.

Everything was perfect.

Ilka Stays is located in an excellent spot, making it easy to explore Varanasi. The accessibility to various attractions is a significant advantage. Additionally, it's lovely to encounter monks along the steps, adding a unique and authentic touch to the experience.

The experience at Ilka Stays did not meet expectations. While I understand the desire to maintain the essence of an Ashram, basic amenities are lacking, especially if the goal is to attract Western tourists. The room we stayed in did not match the description we had booked. It was too hot due to poorly sealed windows, and the air conditioning was ineffective and poorly positioned (at bed level, making it impossible for both of us to sleep comfortably). Essential amenities like a refrigerator, a sink, and light sheets were missing (we were given a heavy blanket instead of a top sheet). We also had to request toilet paper. The Wi-Fi did not work, and the hotel is located in a restricted traffic area, so it is not directly accessible by taxis. This is not an actual issue, but it should be clearly communicated to guests beforehand to avoid surprises. These inconveniences negatively affected our stay.

- Location is great, near the biggest and most famous Ghats and temples which allowed me to visit most attractions by walk. - Staff was really friendy and caring. Especial mention to the owner Atul, who introduced me the neighbourhood and guided me through the best attractions and places to eat. He also helped me to arrange a Ganga river sunrise tour without additional fees.

Not really an issue, but the AC was located just above the bed. A bit too cold at night

Nice stay…will visit again the staff was really helpful and cordial.

The stay was pleasurable. Their friendly and hospitable staff and delicious local cuisine were just amazing.

The property is just 2 minutes away from the Ganges where the famous Arti ceremony takes place. Atul, the local host is exceptionally good at arranging any kind of tours and activities, very attentive and speaks English very well. Please be aware that the guest house is not a typical hotel, ILIKA Stays is effectively an Ashram; however, if you are interested in authentic Varanasi experience, ILIKA Stays is the right place for you. There is also the famous Mona Lisa Cafe just a few minutes away down an ancient narrow street.

I stayed in ILIKA in June, the temperature was 45 degrees Celsius, and the AC struggled to keep the temperature low.

My stay at this hotel was nothing short of exceptional. The staff were incredibly attentive, the rooms were pristine and elegantly furnished, and the amenities provided a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. I can't wait to return for another memorable experience!

Room was very clean. Great location, great communication with the owner, he was very helpful

Little bit too hot in the room

Location is very nice, it's almost at dasaswamedh ghat. Staff was very helpful and polite

Not much facilities in room, ac was not working for which we paid 1000 rs more then regular room

The place is vibrant, just in the middle of everything. If you are expecting 5-star hotel you might be disappointed, but if you are looking for something that perfectly matches the atmosphere in Veranasi, then this is it. The location is perfect, and the atmosphere is great. You are staying in an ashram, so you can take it as great reward. The first few days I stayed in the room without AC, it was quite difficult but I made it. Later I got an AC room and it was pleasant. There are stairs quite steep going up, but If I made it with both legs pretty injured from previous motocross activity, you can make it too! One day elevator will be there too I am sure :). Atul who runs the place, is a great guy, he showed me the streets around and we had long deep talks, he deserves the support. Good luck

Peaceful, Religious vibes and good people

I like about location, comfortable rooms and staff

Washroom - it didn’t have wash basin It is on 3rd floor - it was little difficult for us as we had a 5 month old baby

It was worst place I have ever been. Staffs are not polite, they will not provide you the basic things. I managed my booking from 2 days to 1 day but the staff declined the request and said to cancel the booking repeatedly. I paid for 2 nights and didn't stay there next day. I will not recommend to anyone.

The place is very close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple (10 Min walkable distance) and Dashashwamedh Ghat (2 min walkable distance), within walking distance. This is not a commercial property; the rooms are located on the 3rd floor of a Mutt/Ashram. There are many eateries nearby, so even if the Mutt/Ashram does not provide food, you won't feel uncomfortable. It is an ideal place for youngsters or people below 50, as there are no lifts to access the rooms. The guy who manages the property really need to be appreciated, he is very supportive. (Sorry! I forgot his name)

They should have kept signages showing the way to rooms so that it is not confusing while climbing the steps.

The manager Atul was a quite sincere reliable person and helped me much for everything! He also provides city guides. Another hotel staff vinay was an honest guy and helped me much as well. The location of the hotel is best.

The facilities were a bit poor. The door locks were a bit tight so the guests may need to be careful not to hurt fingers.

If you are looking for a luxery place and umbrelladrinks at the pool, this is not your place. But if you want to be in the epicenter of Varanasi, this is a great place. One step outside the door an you are in the middle of everything. Simple but clean room. It is the upper floor of an Ashram so the munks is your neighbour. Varanasi is like no other place on earth and this a perfect spot to srart from. Ilika who runs the place also lives there and he is very helpful and humble. Atul, the ”owner” is a perfect guide and he knows everything about Varanasi. Take a guided walk with him. Very informal. Tell him what you want to see and what you are interested in. He knows it all.

Nothing special. Our aim was to see the ”crazy” Varanasi and we surely did.

Interior

Location

Did you know that this is an ashram that has on the 3rd floor 6 rooms that are operated as a hostel to generate costs for maintenance of the ashram and the sadhus living here? I highly recommend this location as it is situated just a few steps from Dashashwamedh Gath where every night at 6:30pm you can see the fire ceremony. Many restaurants and shops. The two gentlemen running the place on behalf of Swami Ji, Atul and Vinay are very helpful and provide very pleasant service whenever we had a question or needed help in some way to find something. Or the restaurants they introduced us to. We are planning to come back in a colder month. For now due to the excessive heat we are happy to leave. We are a couple, live in Thailand, she is Thai, I Serbian. Thank you Atul and Vinay, you are appreciated. May you be blessed, namaste 🙏🏾

Very-2 near to the ghat. Hardly 50 mtr. Rooms are located above the ashram house. Though rooms are a little less spacious but I would recommend this as it is located inside the market and near to ghats.

It was a little costlier but since it was near to the ghats so fine

Location is good and near to Ganga ji. Staff members are very helpful

I have been varanasi many times but first times I see real hospitality in this ashram (homestay) my train was late they was waiting and one of the staff came to pick me up. Thank you 😊

Nothing

Location is good. Very close to Dashashwamedh ghat.

No wash basin in room or bathroom. Old furniture. No ventilation. Insects.

The room and staff were good.

There was no bed sheet to cover ourselves, just over the mattress.

The location was close to what we wanted to do in Varanasi. Even though it is in the centre of the action, it’s very quiet. It is a very humble, basic accommodation with kind, helpful staff.

Perhaps too simple for some. Lots of stairs ok for me but maybe not for all.

Close to Ghat

Cleaniness

Perfect location if you want to stay near ghat. Also, there are plenty of restaurants nearby so you don't have to worry about the meal options. We enjoyed our stay, thanks!

Nothing specific tbh. Just FYI - Stay is on 3rd floor however host will inform you in advance, mentioning this just in case if someone has the medical condition and can't take the stairs. I appreciate the honest gesture of the host and kindness they have shown. Thank you!

This property is located near to dashashwamedh ghat which makes easy to access ghat , boating , main temple and prime market and famous food shop. Host Vinay was very helpful. We have reached very early to the property and he still allowed us to do early chekin without any extra cast, of course this is subjects to availability of room also. Overall we had a great experience. Note- do not plan this hotel if you are traveling with own car since it's near to ghat no vehicle allowed.

Not applicable

Best room in Varanasi

Location.

Be under no illusions, this stay is VERY BASIC. But everything you need is on the doorstep. If you are looking for a place to sleep with easy access to the ghats and restaurants, this is a characterful option. Good upfront communication from Atul (the boss) and gracious service from the manager. We were collected from the station and helped with luggage. Staff went out and collected chai and samosas for us when we arrived hungry.

There's no communal place to sit and the place has no kitchen for food and drinks (despite the pictures). There is, however, an application pending for a roof terrace, so maybe these things will change in the future.