Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited has entered Varanasi with the opening of Sterling Varanasi, adding the spiritual destination to its expanding portfolio across India. The 33-room hotel is located near the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and provides access to Assi Ghat, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu University and the ghats of the Ganges.
The opening expands Sterling’s presence across destinations where spirituality and pilgrimage are key travel drivers. Its network already includes Ayodhya, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Guruvayur, Tiruvannamalai, Pushkar, Madurai and Puri. The addition of Varanasi also reflects the company’s strategy of developing its portfolio around the reasons people travel, including faith, culture, heritage and leisure.
The project reflects the hospitality sector’s continued participation in new hotel openings.
Sterling Expands Spiritual Destination Network
Sterling’s entry into Varanasi comes as spiritual travel increasingly overlaps with broader leisure experiences. Visitors to the city can combine pilgrimage with family travel, cultural exploration, local cuisine, heritage experiences and visits to destinations such as Sarnath.
Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts (SHRL), said:
“Our strategy is to understand why India travels and build around those reasons. Spiritual travel has always been one of India’s most enduring travel motivations; what is changing is the traveller and the experience around the journey.
In Varanasi, the reason to travel may begin with faith, but the journey can extend into family, culture, cuisine, history and discovery. Our role is to make that experience more comfortable, reliable and meaningful. Kashi therefore becomes an important addition to Sterling’s destination-led growth strategy.”
Sterling Varanasi Offers 33 Rooms
Sterling Varanasi has 33 contemporary rooms, including Premier Rooms with balconies offering views of Kashi.
The property also includes RASA KASHI, a vegetarian restaurant inspired by Varanasi’s food traditions. The restaurant combines local culinary influences with a wider menu aimed at contemporary travellers.
KASHI REGALIA, located on the fifth floor, is a partially covered glass-roof venue offering 180-degree views across Varanasi. The venue is positioned for intimate celebrations, family gatherings and special occasions.
The property also provides access to experiences associated with the city, including early-morning boat journeys on the Ganges, the evening Ganga Aarti, temple visits, Sarnath and the city’s Banarasi cuisine, silk and craft traditions.
Aditi Group Owns the Property
Sterling Varanasi is owned by Aditi Group, with Sterling bringing its brand, operating and distribution platform to the property.
Arya Vishwajeet Singh, Aditi Group, Owner of Sterling Varanasi, said:
“Our vision was to create a contemporary hospitality address that understands why people come to Varanasi and makes that journey easier and more comfortable. Sterling brings the brand reach, operating expertise and distribution strength to establish the property as a trusted hospitality address in the city.”
Varanasi Adds to Destination Architect Strategy
The opening forms part of Sterling’s Destination Architect strategy, which focuses on building its network around the reasons people travel rather than conventional destination categories.
The company’s portfolio spans travel motivations including spirituality, culture, wellness, wildlife and the hills. With Varanasi, Sterling adds another major spiritual and cultural destination to that network while expanding its presence in a city with established demand from both pilgrims and leisure travellers.
