Great Place to Stay
Overall: 
Location:
Staff:
Cleanliness:
Positives: Very friendly, helpful, and clean
Negatives: None
This was my first visit to India and to Varanasi. I traveled by myself. I am a female in my late forties from the USA.
I traveled specifically to Varanasi for the solar eclipse which occured on July 22, 2009. I wanted to stay somewhere near the ghats, yet not directly on them. I chose the Maruti Guest House due to the great reviews. I was not disappointed.
The Maruti Guest House is a family run business. Four generations of the same family live here. Owned by Dr. V. N. Tripathi, the guest house is managed by his daughter Tripti and her husband Papu.
Maruti Guest House sits about a 3 minute walk from Assi Ghat. You can walk 15-20 minutes to Benares Hindu University (largest residential university in Asia) or take a rickshaw, which are everywhere. Papu is more than happy to draw out a map to assist your walking tours, or point you in the direction of an autorickshaw so you can visit nearby attractions such as Sarnath.
You can purchase all your meals from the guest house if you wish. You can help yourself to cold beverages - just write what you take into a notebook log, and the amount is tallied at the end of your stay. You can also purchase Tripti's lovely handmade jewelry or clothing. They also provide free laundry service. If you are interested in a boatride on the Ganges, they can arrange for that too.
The rooms are basic, but very clean. Mine had an attached bath with a Western-style toilet, sink, and shower. They have an internet connection on the bottom floor, or if that is busy, there is an internet cafe about a block away.
I was fotunate to have been there when Dr. V. N. Tripathi was there also (he is a medical doctor and is not always available at the guest house). Dr Tripathi has more than 30 years of Yoga experience and is a great teacher for beginners and advanced students. I've been a student of Western astrology for many years. Dr. Tripathi was kind enough to discuss Vedic astrology with me. He took the time to analyze my chart for a nominal fee (there is much work involved in properly researching one's chart). I feel very blessed to have had the time with him and his family.
I must say, that although the physical surroundings have the feel of a hostel, the hospitality evokes the feelings of family.
I will definately stay at the Maruti Guest House again the next time I am in Varanasi.
Location:
Staff:
Cleanliness:
Positives: Very friendly, helpful, and clean
Negatives: None
This was my first visit to India and to Varanasi. I traveled by myself. I am a female in my late forties from the USA.
I traveled specifically to Varanasi for the solar eclipse which occured on July 22, 2009. I wanted to stay somewhere near the ghats, yet not directly on them. I chose the Maruti Guest House due to the great reviews. I was not disappointed.
The Maruti Guest House is a family run business. Four generations of the same family live here. Owned by Dr. V. N. Tripathi, the guest house is managed by his daughter Tripti and her husband Papu.
Maruti Guest House sits about a 3 minute walk from Assi Ghat. You can walk 15-20 minutes to Benares Hindu University (largest residential university in Asia) or take a rickshaw, which are everywhere. Papu is more than happy to draw out a map to assist your walking tours, or point you in the direction of an autorickshaw so you can visit nearby attractions such as Sarnath.
You can purchase all your meals from the guest house if you wish. You can help yourself to cold beverages - just write what you take into a notebook log, and the amount is tallied at the end of your stay. You can also purchase Tripti's lovely handmade jewelry or clothing. They also provide free laundry service. If you are interested in a boatride on the Ganges, they can arrange for that too.
The rooms are basic, but very clean. Mine had an attached bath with a Western-style toilet, sink, and shower. They have an internet connection on the bottom floor, or if that is busy, there is an internet cafe about a block away.
I was fotunate to have been there when Dr. V. N. Tripathi was there also (he is a medical doctor and is not always available at the guest house). Dr Tripathi has more than 30 years of Yoga experience and is a great teacher for beginners and advanced students. I've been a student of Western astrology for many years. Dr. Tripathi was kind enough to discuss Vedic astrology with me. He took the time to analyze my chart for a nominal fee (there is much work involved in properly researching one's chart). I feel very blessed to have had the time with him and his family.
I must say, that although the physical surroundings have the feel of a hostel, the hospitality evokes the feelings of family.
I will definately stay at the Maruti Guest House again the next time I am in Varanasi.
