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Hotel · Varanasi · Uttar Pradesh

Monalisa Hostel - Varanasi

A welcoming guesthouse near Varanasi's ghats, known for its helpful staff, rooftop views, and guided tours.

  • Rooftop views over the Ganges
  • Friendly, helpful staff
  • Guided boat and city tours
8.4 Great 255 reviews Booking.com 8.4 · 255 reviews

About

Monalisa Hostel - Varanasi

Monalisa Hostel sits on Pandey Ghat Road, roughly a kilometer from Man Singh Observatory and a short walk from the main ghats. The property offers Wi-Fi throughout, a shared kitchen, and a rooftop terrace where guests watch sunrise over the Ganges.

Rooms range from mixed and female-only dorms to private twins, some with balconies and city or river views. The staff organizes boat rides and city tours, and the on-site cafe serves home-style meals.

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • Pets allowed
  • 24-hour security

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Outstanding staff — Guests consistently highlight the friendly and helpful team, with several singling out Aman and Salman for going above and beyond.
  • Prime location — A short walk from the main ghats and near attractions like the Kasi Temple, with easy access to the river and local eateries.
  • Rooftop views — The terrace offers a view of the Ganges, particularly recommended for sunrise.
  • Guided tours — The hostel organizes boat and city tours, with guests calling them informative and worth the money.
–

Worth weighing

3 to weigh
  • Not obvious to find — One guest noted the hostel is tricky to locate, likely due to the narrow lanes around Pandey Ghat Road.
  • Mixed room ratings — While rooms score well overall, a few guests found them less exceptional, reflected in a slightly lower rooms score.
  • No parking on site — The property does not list parking, which may matter for those arriving by car.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed

  • 1 Bed in shared room

Dormitory Room Female only

  • 1 Bed in shared room

Twin Room

  • 2 Single beds,2 Single beds or 1 Double bed
  • City view
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

Deluxe Twin Room

  • 2 Single beds,1 King-size bed,1 Double bed
  • Sea view
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Balcony

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

General

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Soundproofed rooms

Services

  • 24-hour reception
  • 24-hour security
  • Currency exchange
  • Room service
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Shops/Commercial services

Food & Drink

  • Restaurant
  • Shared kitchen
  • Tea and coffee facilities

Room Features

  • Safe deposit box
  • Sitting area
  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Ironing facilities
  • Curtains

Entertainment

  • Live entertainment
  • Leisure/TV room

Pets

  • Pets allowed
  • Pet amenities available

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

8.4
Great 255 reviews

Guest-rated 8.4/10 from 255 reviews

Booking.com · 8.4 · 255 reviews
8.4Verified guest

“The rooms are snug and comfy, with a seating area that gives it a homely feel.”

8.4Verified guest

“An incredible stay at a hostel in Varanasi – I felt like part of the family, friendly staff, great location, and a free tour. Highly recommend it!”

8.4Verified guest

“I loved my time at this lively hostel. The staff, especially Salman and Aman, were kind and attentive. The location was perfect, just a short walk from the main ghats, and there's a rooftop with a lovely view.”

8.4Verified guest

“The rooms are comfortable and cozy, with a nice seating area. I appreciated having a private bathroom with a shower in every room – very convenient. Some rooms even have a balcony. The tile floor, AC, and tea/coffee maker in the twin room were nice bonuses. Fresh linens and towels were provided, and a safe deposit box was a reassuring touch.”

8.4Verified guest

“My two-night stay was ideal. The room was lovely with a breathtaking view of the Ganga. Aman, the host, was incredibly helpful and shared great local insights. The location let me avoid the crowded streets easily. The guided tours were fantastic, and the nearby cafe served delicious food. The AC runs on a separate power source, so it works even during outages.”

8.4Verified guest

“A mind-blowing stay. The staff was super helpful and friendly, going out of their way for me. The location was stunning – the Kasi Temple and ghats are a short walk away. The on-site cafe had tasty, hygienic food. They organized a fantastic sunset boat ride, and the rooftop view was outstanding. The room was clean and comfortable, with a great view and a quiet AC. I highly recommend it!”

04 — Location

Getting around Varanasi

The property sits in Varanasi.

Ghats: The main ghats are a short walk away, where you can watch the Ganga Aarti or take a boat ride at sunrise.

Kasi Temple: One of Varanasi's most significant temples, located just a short walk from the hostel.

Man Singh Observatory: About 1 km from the hostel, this 18th-century observatory offers a glimpse into Varanasi's astronomical history.

Banaras Hindu University: One of India's largest universities, roughly a 10-minute drive away.

Pandey Ghat Road D29/11, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221001, India

Open in Google Maps

05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 12:00
Check-out
By 10:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Allowed
Property
14 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in starts at 12:00 and check-out is by 10:00.

Does the hostel allow pets?

Yes, pets are allowed, and pet amenities are available.

Is there an airport shuttle?

The hostel offers a paid airport shuttle service.

What room types are available?

Options include a mixed 4-bed dorm, a female-only dorm, a twin room, and a deluxe twin room with a balcony and sea view.

What amenities are in the rooms?

Private rooms include air conditioning, heating, a shower, and some have a balcony or city view. Dorms do not list in-room amenities.

Nearby

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The bottom line

A well-located, staff-driven guesthouse that earns strong marks from solo travelers and families alike, offering genuine local experiences through its tours and rooftop views.

8.4Based on 255 guest reviews

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