Introduction
I recently visited the holy town of Varanasi along with my family. While searching for hotels, my primary search criteria were location, comfort and value. Did Hotel Kavana deliver on those parameters? Read on to know.
Location and First Impressions
The hotel’s address is B 1/4, Assi, Anandbagh, Bhelupur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005. It is approximately 500 metres from Assi Ghat, making it within walking distance. The areas closer to the ghats are very chaotic, but surprisingly, I found nothing but calm once I stepped inside the hotel. The other main places of interest, like Kashi Vishwanath Temple, are also located within a 5 KM radius.
We arrived quite late, at around 10 PM and were hungry. The front desk was kind enough to let us eat our dinner first before completing the check-in formalities, so a big thumbs up. During our entire stay, they guided us on how to utilise our limited time optimally.
Being a week after Diwali, the property was decked in lights and gave a great first impression. The interiors were also neatly maintained, and there was no reason for any complaint.
Rooms and Comfort
My room was of the “Deluxe” category, and I found the size decent enough to fit a family of three (one was a minor child). There were the usual amenities like the air conditioner, television, electric kettle and tea/coffee kit.
The bed was king-size, and the mattress was comfortable enough to give me a good night’s sleep. Only gripe was a leaking air conditioner outlet from the upper floor falling on ours, not a big enough issue, but still worth a mention.
On the flip side, a few things were missing, like a dental kit and slippers. I would not have minded, but given the cost paid for the room, these should have been there for sure.
Dining and Food
There is an in-house restaurant by the name of “Kriva’s Cafe”. During my stay, I had a couple of breakfasts, dinner and one time lunch. I found the quality and taste to be inconsistent. One time it would be great, whereas another time it would turn out to be average. I had opted for breakfast as well at the cost I paid. The breakfast spread was quite thin, and the taste was not up to the mark. I found that the dishes I ordered a la carte were a lot better than the ones available in the buffet. As with any other in-house restaurant these days, the cost is on the higher side.
Another irritant was the presence of flies in the dining area. They would do well to invest in some sort of electric fly catcher to keep the area clean.
If I were to summarise, if you are a foodie, there will be better places to explore outside. But if you are exhausted after visiting places and do not want to roam around trying to find a place to eat, this place won’t disappoint you either.
Service & Facilities
Staff: The hotel staff was polite and helpful with all the multiple requests, ranging from water refills and requests for slippers.
Parking: The hotel has a decent parking facility, good enough to hold 8-10 cars. This is a big plus in a crowded city like Varanasi, so if you are planning to drive down, then worry not.
Cleanliness: The rooms and the property are maintained quite well, and the housekeeping staff does a good job. The only area of improvement that I mentioned in the dining area about the presence of flies, if that could be taken care of, then there would be no complaints at all.
Value: This is a mid-budget hotel with tariffs starting from INR 4,000 to INR 8,000 (for a deluxe room). The term value is a subjective one and differs from person to person. For me, excellent location and a comfortable stay for the family were important, and this hotel did provide that, so it was a good value stay for me.
Who is this hotel ideal for?
If you are in Varanasi for sightseeing, temple visits and want to stay near the ghats, Hotel Kavana could be the perfect place for you. Because of its proximity to Assi Ghat and local markets, you’ll have the “feel” of Varanasi while staying somewhere comfortable.
However, if you’re looking for luxury, riverside views directly on the Ganges, or high-end amenities (spa, pool, etc.), you might want to look at higher-category hotels.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent location near Assi Ghat
- Comfortable and clean rooms
- Friendly and responsive staff
- Parking available – A big plus in a crowded city
Cons
- Some amenities may be missing and would require asking
- Food quality may not match the price being charged
Final Verdict
I would rate my stay at Hotel Kavana as 7.5/10. The excellent location and the services I got definitely match the price paid. Would I stay again? Probably yes, if I am visiting with my family, but then, before booking this hotel, I would also explore other hotels in the vicinity (there are lots of them around the Assi Ghat area). If I am on a solo run, then most probably not, as the cost would not justify it.