"I have to say I was a bit disappointed with the Taj Ganges. Looks better in the photos. I have stayed in many Taj hotels in India, and I am currently in the new Taj hotel in Patna which is truly amazing. However the Taj Ganges is not at the usual Taj standard. It's main strength is the location, away from the noise and chaos of Varanasi, but not too far either , and the stunning gardens where you can see peacocks. Well worth taking the time to walk around the adjoining Taj heritage hotel gardens. The pool are is also fabulous. But the hotel itself not so good. I booked a Luxury pool-view room but the bathroom was tiny, and on the website it showed a bathroom with a large bath, which I would have liked after intense days in hot and humid Varanasi. Most disappointing was the bed. Every other Taj has really comfortable beds. I found this bed very hard and even with an extra duvet and using extra pillows as a mattress topper it was still uncomfortable. Also very disappointing was the food. The breakfast was ok but I paid extra for the dinner buffet and it was very tasteless. I was very disappointed as this is a Taj hotel. I just had the buffet in Taj Patna, and it was one of the best meals ever. So I'd say maybe, for Varanasi try a different brand of hotel but if you are passing by Patna definitely stay in the new Taj there! Also the staff at the concierge should know more about trains to Gaya Jnc., for Bodh Gaya. I waited 5 hours at the hot train station."