Hotel Rivera Palace

This hotel's signature feature is its close proximity to the Ganga Ghats, making it an appealing choice for sightseers and pilgrims eager to explore the spiritual heart of the city. However, guest experiences are highly polarized, particularly concerning staff conduct and hotel cleanliness. While some travelers, including those with senior citizens who appreciate the presence of a lift, found aspects of their stay satisfactory, many others reported significant issues. The hotel is often perceived as overpriced for the quality it delivers, with numerous complaints about basic hygiene standards. For backpackers or those on a tighter budget, the location might be a draw, but they should be prepared for a challenging arrival due to narrow, car-inaccessible lanes. To ensure a smoother experience, guests are advised to manage their expectations regarding the hotel's accessibility and be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and room upkeep.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers some basic facilities to guests, though feedback is mixed. Most guests appreciate the presence of an elevator, which is particularly helpful for senior citizens and those with mobility challenges, making movement within the building easier. However, some reviews indicate that the lift was occasionally not operational, causing inconvenience. While hot water is generally available, some guests noted it is provided only upon request or during specific hours, rather than continuously. Other amenities mentioned include room heaters, which are beneficial during colder weather, and basic toiletries. However, some rooms reportedly lack windows or proper ventilation, which can impact comfort. Guests also noted the absence of a luggage trolley, making it difficult to transport bags from the main road to the hotel entrance.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is overwhelmingly negative, with numerous serious concerns raised. Many rooms were described as untidy, with reports of wet, swollen walls and a muggy smell. Guests frequently encountered dirty pillows and stained sheets, with some even noting blackened pillows from grime. The bathrooms were a significant source of complaint, often smelling of urine or naphthalene, and featuring mold in the shower areas. Floors were also reported as uncleaned for extended periods. Some rooms had an unbearable smell of turpentine due to unannounced paintwork, posing a health hazard. While a few guests found their rooms clean and comfortable, the prevailing sentiment points to a severe lack of basic hygiene and maintenance, impacting the overall comfort and well-being of guests.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on dining primarily centers around the breakfast service. Most guests found the breakfast to be tasty and fresh, with some describing it as "yummy." However, a consistent point of criticism was the limited variety of options, with many guests noting that the menu remained the same every day during their stay. Some concerns were also raised regarding staff hygiene during food preparation, with one instance of staff handling tea bags with bare hands. The hotel exclusively offers vegetarian food, which is an important consideration for guests. Additionally, the dining area is described as a shared space located at the entrance, rather than a dedicated restaurant, which some found less appealing. Despite these points, the restaurant staff generally received praise for their pleasant demeanor and attentiveness.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a significant point of discussion among guests. It is consistently praised for its central location and close proximity to the Ganga Ghats, particularly Assi Ghat, making it convenient for sightseeing and spiritual activities. However, the accessibility to the hotel is a major and frequent concern. The hotel is situated deep within narrow lanes or gullies that are inaccessible by car or taxi, requiring guests to walk a considerable distance from the main road. This often leads to difficulties with luggage, as guests have to drag their suitcases through what many describe as dirty and stinking streets with open sewage. While the hotel's distance from the main road contributes to a peaceful environment, the challenging approach significantly impacts the arrival experience.

Staff & Service
Guest experiences with staff and service are highly polarized. While some guests reported encountering helpful staff and friendly service, particularly from the restaurant and support teams, a significant number of reviews highlight severe issues with the front desk staff and management. Many guests described them as extremely rude, unprofessional, uncooperative, and arrogant. Recurring complaints include difficulties with the check-in process, such as long delays due to payment confirmation issues, and demands for re-payment at checkout despite prior online bookings. Guests also reported staff being rigid with rules and seemingly uninterested in guest satisfaction or retention. While some appreciated assistance with transport arrangements and local tours, others found these services to be overpriced or poorly executed, further contributing to a perception of the hotel being primarily interested in financial gain.

Additional Information
For guests planning their stay, it's important to note several specific details about the hotel's offerings. The hotel operates on an all-vegetarian food policy, which is a key consideration for dining preferences. The dining area is a shared space located at the entrance, rather than a separate restaurant. While hot water is available, it typically needs to be requested in advance or is provided during specific morning and evening hours. The hotel can assist with arranging local sightseeing tours and transportation, including early morning auto or tuk-tuk services for events like the Mangal Aarti, and airport or railway station pickups, though these services come at an additional cost. Some rooms may lack windows, and the bathroom shower design in certain rooms means the entire floor can get wet during use, which might be an inconvenience for some travelers.