Brijrama Palace Varanasi

Brijrama Palace is one of India’s most extraordinarily positioned and historically significant heritage palace hotels, a Taj Hotels-managed property occupying an 18th-century Maratha palace built by Darbhanga Maharaja directly on the ghats of the sacred Ganges River in Varanasi, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city and Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimage destination. The palace offers 32 rooms and suites in several configurations including family categories, all with extraordinary Ganges river views, free high-speed Wi-Fi, butler service, premium bedding, and elegantly appointed bathrooms. A river-view swimming pool — one of the most dramatically positioned hotel pools in India, overlooking the Ganges and the ancient ghat steps with their Brahmin priests, pilgrims, and boat traffic — a comprehensive spa, multiple dining venues including the Ram Bhandari fine dining restaurant and the Darbhanga rooftop restaurant with panoramic Ganges views, and 24-hour butler service complete the exceptional amenities. The hotel’s own boat takes guests on private Ganges sunrise and sunset cruises. The nightly Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dasaswamedh Ghat — one of Hinduism’s most elaborate and moving ritual fire ceremonies, performed by priests to thousands of gathered pilgrims — is visible from the hotel’s rooftop and accessible in ten minutes on foot. Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Sarnath Buddhist deer park are accessible by taxi. Brijrama Palace is consistently cited as India’s most extraordinary ghat heritage hotel experience.