Aroha by Rishikesh, Rishikesh

Aroha by Rishikesh is a boutique hotel in Kirmola village on the Neelkanth Road. It’s on the quieter east bank of the Ganga, about a kilometre from Laxman Jhula. Most people come to Rishikesh for this side of the river, with its ashrams, yoga schools and cafés, and Aroha puts you within walking distance of all of it without the noise of the main bazaar. Gita Bhawan is roughly a seven-minute walk, and several yoga schools are within a few hundred metres. The railway station is about 4 km away. The hotel’s focus is wellness. There’s an outdoor swimming pool, a spa with massage therapies, a steam room, and a dedicated yoga area. You can start the day with a class, go down to the ghats or across the jhula, and come back to a quiet room before the evening aarti. Rooms are air-conditioned and have private balconies, many of them looking towards the river and the hills. The hotel can also arrange airport transfers from Jolly Grant. Neer Garh waterfall is about ten minutes’ drive away if you want a short outing. It suits yoga travellers, couples, and anyone who wants to spend time in Rishikesh at a slower pace.