11 gorgeous homestays and hotels in Rishikesh right by the Ganga

If it's a quiet getaway you seek, consider diving into the perpetual beauty of the holy Ganga at a riverside stay in Rishikesh. These resorts, homestays and hotels in Rishikesh will do the trick:

What’s the best time to visit Rishikesh?

The best time to visit Rishikesh is typically from March to April and then again from September to October. During these periods, the weather tends to be most agreeable, allowing visitors to fully enjoy everything that the town has to offer without the discomfort of extreme temperatures. It's worth noting that May can bring scorching heat, making outdoor activities less enjoyable. Many travellers find the post-monsoon months particularly enchanting, as the landscape comes alive with vibrant greenery, making it an excellent time for outdoor pursuits such as trekking and camping amidst the rejuvenated surroundings. More on the best time to visit Rishikesh here.

Hotels in Rishikesh near the Ganga

The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas

Concentric circles inspired by drops of water and tree barks run across 12 acres of the property that offers guests a range of accommodation options from balcony rooms to garden suites and private villas. Each room, done up in a modern, sleek-but-not-impersonal earthy aesthetic with natural materials, comes kitted out with Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed™ and Heavenly Bath™ programs as well as a private balcony with arguably the best views of Rishikesh and valley below. There’s a spa with a whole suite of relaxation and pampering solutions from ayurvedic massages and Balinese treatments to luxury facials using products by the local Himalayan brand Jivisa, and the RunWestin™ program which will help you discover picturesque trails just outside the property. At Akasa, the all-day dining restaurant in the hotel, the menu includes a Garhwali thali that stars local ingredients like stinging nettle leaves, fiddlehead ferns and hisalu berries. Those looking for pan-Asian cuisines can try Toya, which offers an entertaining teppanyaki showcase. There’s also a poolside grill and barbeque restaurant Pebbles and Haven Lounge for nibbles and malts. Lounge in the infinity pool or sip on a cocktail at the pool bar—both offer unmatched views of the valley—while your little ones entertain themselves at the Westin Family Kids Club. Doubles from Rs34,500 – Smitha Menon
Pet-friendly: No
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes; several parts of the property, including certain rooms and suites, are wheelchair accessible. There are non-slip grab rails in the bathrooms, and lowered handles and electric sockets in rooms.

Aloha on the Ganges

Surrounded by forested hills and set on the banks of the River Ganga, Aloha on the Ganges offers a restful pause. It is located right by the holy waters, about a kilometre from Laxman Jhula. The boutique hotel offers rooms with views of the garden, the hills or the Ganga. The upper floors of the property are taken up by one and two-bedroom apartments featuring a kitchenette and living area. Guests can enjoy high tea in the al fresco restaurant overlooking the gushing river, and choose from Indian and international fare at their restaurant Latitude. There’s a pool to unwind in that overlooks the river, and one can let go entirely of the daily grind at their spa. To escalate the feeling of calm, there are daily yoga and meditation sessions on the property and nature walks around. For kids, there’s a play area with games like chess and TT and a library to get cosy in. Doubles from Rs34,500* including breakfast
Pet friendly: No
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes; the property offers wheelchairs upon request

Anand Kashi by the Ganges, Rishikesh - IHCL Seleqtions

True to its name, Anand Kashi invites guests to tune into “the light of inner bliss”. Perched on an eastward bend of the Ganga, this boutique hotel follows traditional Garhwali architecture and is designed for immersing in the power of the natural elements. There are 22 rooms and two luxury tents. You can take a dip in the waters by the private beach, swim along the curve of the Ganga in the infinity pool, destress at the Amrit Kashi spa and attend the Ganga Aarti performed by the resident priests. All the while, the young ones can be left to enjoy stone painting and indoor board games. Dine on global cuisines at the all-day restaurant, which draws organic produce from the property’s orchards, relax over sundowners at the rooftop bar and enjoy a special meal at the Ganga deck which overlooks the river and valley. This is one of the few hotels in Rishikesh that is pet-friendly, albeit on prior request. Doubles from Rs15,725* including breakfast
Pet-friendly: Yes; The hotel entertains small dogs under 15kg in one pet-friendly room and serves a special pet menu.
Wheelchair accessible: Yes; the hotel offers staff support to navigate through the property

Atali Ganga

Featured on CNT’s 2013 Hot List when it opened, Atali Ganga is built on a hillside just outside Rishikesh, offering comfy cottages that overlook the Ganga valley. It is perfect for large groups or families with the range of adventure activities on offer. The hotel is run by Aquaterra Adventures so guests can pick from river rafting, wall-climbing, abseiling, hiking, camping, high ropes, inflatable kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, most of which are also child-friendly. Or you can take it down a notch and begin the day with yoga, go out bird-watching or biking, spend a day at Aum Spa or settle down with sundowners and dinner under the stars. Meals are served buffet-style at White Water Cafe. Doubles from Rs36,000* including all meals, evening snacks and up to two guided adventure activities
Pet-friendly: No
Wheelchair accessible: No

Ganga Kinare

Hosting travellers since 1989, Ganga Kinare lives up to its name with a private ghat, and offers views of the mighty river, Rajaji National Park and the Himalayan foothills. You can take a dip at the ghat, or attend the twice-daily aartis here. You can tuck into Himalayan dishes as well as Indian and European classics at the restaurant. There's a yoga and meditation hall overlooking the river, and Ayurvedic and Western massage therapies are offered at the spa. The hotel can also arrange for a naturalist or guide to take you on nature trails or a jeep safari in Rajaji National Park. On the premises, there’s an indoor gaming zone for kids with board games and other activities. Doubles from Rs19,900* including breakfast and dinner
Pet-friendly: No
Wheelchair accessible: Yes; the hotel has an elevator for vertical transfers as well as wheelchair accessible rooms on the ground floor

The Glasshouse on the Ganges

Two years ago, Neemrana’s Himalayan Hideaway turned into what’s now called The Glasshouse on the Ganges. Cobbled pathways snake through the forested property, each leading to a room that opens to views of the mountains or the river some 100m below. Switch paths to join the natural trail, and it’ll lead you straight to the Ganges itself. This is where guests can enjoy a quiet picnic, witness a Ganga aarti or have the team set up a morning yoga session. For adventure, white water rafting and birding treks can be arranged, and there are swings and board games to keep the young one busy. The rooms and windows come with a mesh lining so that guests can enjoy fresh air and sunlight at any given hour. During meals, guests can taste trans-Himalayan cuisine and witness pit roasting alfresco while the kiddos chomp on fries or pasta from the children’s menu. Do note: The private parking can only hold up to four cars, but a night guard remains on duty near the cars parked outside the property. Doubles from Rs10,800* including breakfast
Pet friendly: Yes
Wheelchair accessible: Yes; rooms on the ground floor are easily accessible, and the hotel offers staff support to navigate through the property

Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa

Opened in 2019, Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa slopes 300 feet down the hillside to the banks of the Ganga and is designed for an immersive experience of nature. It is located in Singthali village about 35km from the city. The architecture draws on Garhwali techniques and local materials. Rooms and suites overlook the river and Himalayas, and there are also villas with a pool or sit-out. Dine at the all-day restaurant, the pizza bar or the restaurant serving Himalayan specialities from Kashmir, Himachal, Garhwal, Kumaon and Nepal. The 1,858sqm wellness sanctuary has the Jiva Spa and a yoga pavilion. You can ask the hotel to arrange for an aarti on their private beach, and also adventure treks and nature trails. More here. Doubles from Rs39,000* including breakfast
Pet friendly: No
Wheelchair accessible: Yes; the hotel offers a buggy service around the premises and features an elevator

The Roseate Ganges

A 45-minute drive from Jolly Grant Airport, The Roseate Ganges is perched right above the Ganges in Shivpuri. Each of its 17 villa-style rooms feature a private balcony that looks out to dense forests or the valley. The temperature-controlled infinity pool also enjoys an expansive view, with nothing but greenery all around. A 250-stair descent leads to a private bank by the Ganges, where the bells and chants of evening aarti fill the air every day. Guests can also spend a day at Aheli spa, indulging in scrubs, facials and salon services among other things. On the weekends, the staff arranges complimentary cooking sessions for children. The property offers a taste of Garhwali and Kumaoni fare, with specials like taro root preparations, locally produced red rice and barnyard millet kheer. Doubles from Rs23,000*, including breakfast
Pet friendly: No
Wheelchair friendly: Yes; the hotel features rooms and all common areas on the ground floor

Homestays and villas in Rishikesh near the Ganga

Aashraya

At Aashraya, the Ganga offers pockets of unexpected calm. It’s a sight for sore eyes after a 20-minute hike up to the property from the main road. The morning view reminds you exactly where you are when you open your eyes. You are in the depths of Uttarakhand’s hills in Mahadev Chatti, a riverside hamlet north of the buzzing streets of Rishikesh, with just the trees and breeze for company. Your neighbours are a single tented camp closeby and a local who lives by himself, whose mules will help you carry your luggage down to the homestay. The surroundings are private unused land that, over the years, have surrendered to natural forces to become a lush forest. Host Depi Chaudhry initially built the property in 2007 with three cottages, one for each of his daughters. Over time, Chaudhry added another smaller cottage to the property. Slightly distanced from the other cottages and with a pretty lily pond right outside is a cottage for two called Lover’s Pond. All three cottages have a double bed and two single beds so families with kids can share the spacious accommodations, while Lover’s Pond features a double bed and a private garden suited for couples. All accommodations have air conditioners, heaters and electric blankets, thick mattresses with duvets, showers and ensuite bathrooms with showers and hot and cold water. All of Aashraya’s kitchen waste is converted into manure for the gardens and the hosts try to use as little plastic as possible on the property. If you hit it off with Chaudhry, he’s happy to get together for an evening drink or accompany you on a trek. The hosts—Chaudhry and his daughter Aditi—live on the property with four adopted dogs—Pixie, Bolt, Jamie and Dodo—and three adopted cats—Pumpkin, Fin and Badmash. Doubles from Rs11,000*
Pet-friendly: Yes
Wheelchair friendly: The last stretch to get to the property involves a 2km hike, which involves crossing a river bridge, forest and village and is not advisable for seniors or persons with reduced mobility.

The Foresterie at Atali

There’s a swanky new property a half hour drive from Rishikesh where the mighty Ganges is flanked by dense sal forest. A few hundred metres from the riverbank, in the heart of a forest, sits The Foresterie at Atali. Each of its two villas feature four bedrooms, a study, lounge areas. There’s a fully-equipped kitchen where guests can cook, but buffet and a la carte options are available as well. Glass facades flood the entire space with sunshine during the day. Outside, eyes are met with lush green leaves wherever one looks. At the property you’ll get to meet Vaibhav Kala, the man behind The Foresterie and founder of Aquaterra Adventures. Under the adventure tour operator, a host of outdoor activities are available for those who’re interested, but for a retreat into quietude, there’s a year-round plunge pool, a Jacuzzi, a spa and several outdoor decks to keep you at the property. Whether they book a room or the entire villa, the guests are offered the entire place to themselves. Entire villa from Rs70,000* including breakfast
Pet friendly: Yes
Wheelchair accessible: No; if all goes to plan, the homestay will soon feature a rampway

The Ganges by Taroh Stays

This bed and breakfast offers a homely retreat on a stretch of the Ganga called the Marine Drive. Only a few steps from the riverbank, this newly opened property features six rooms across two floors and an accessible terrace. The latter affords a clear view of the river. There’s a caretaker on the property who’s available to cook a simple meal, but the kitchen also remains open for guests to whip up their own meals. The rooms are done up with wooden furnishing and warm lighting that keep the mood cosy. The ground floor features a lounge area, and the first floor has a lobby and a dining area. Do note: cars need to be parked 100m away from the property at the beginning of the residential bylane. Doubles from Rs3,500* during peak season
Pet friendly: Yes
Wheelchair access: No

*Prices are subject to change.

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