My wife and I stayed three nights at Hotel Sita – unfortunately, our experience was very disappointing. Despite informing the hotel about our late arrival four weeks in advance, the entire property was locked and dark when we arrived. We ended up sitting on the stairs outside from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m., as no other accommodation nearby was open. The next morning, the staff simply said they couldn’t do anything because we had booked through an external platform. Instead of a refund for the missed night, we were offered breakfast and a late checkout – a kind gesture, but not real compensation.
The hotel also recommended their own guide, which we initially thought was part of an apology. However, it turned out to be a paid service, which the receptionist clearly knew from the beginning. The room itself was fine – comfortable bed and a beautiful Ganges view – but the balcony door couldn’t be locked, which is unacceptable for travelers with valuables. The bathroom was very basic and far below the standard expected for around USD 100 per night. Nearby hotels with similar views charged only 20–40 USD.
Overall, this was the worst value-for-money experience I’ve had in any hotel. On the positive side: friendly reception, good English, and a great night atmosphere overlooking the river. But if you agree to a late check-in, you simply cannot leave guests outside overnight. A real shame – our amazing time in Varanasi was heavily overshadowed by this experience. More rip-off than nice place.