Shalom Backpackers Rishikesh

The location!!! It is located near the market. The room was good and the aircon worked well. They have a public area with tables and even a swimming pool. There is a restaurant in the hotel, but we did not use it

Had a dreamy little stay at this hostel - ended up extending our stay as we didn’t want to leave. Wonderful location overlooking the river, with a lovely cafe/terrace. We made some great friends there. The staff, particularly Dinesh, went above and beyond to meet our needs. We were kindly granted a free room upgrade to a room with a balcony and view. Around the hostel are really nice cafes perfect for laptop working, and lots of restaurants, shops and markets, but definitely rent a scooter from the hostel and go exploring beyond the immediate vicinity. It’s so beautiful!

My stay at this hostel was truly wonderful from start to finish. The moment I arrived, I was greeted by the friendly and welcoming staff. Special thanks to Ankit, who made sure I had everything I needed. The room was clean and comfortable, providing a cozy place to relax. The food was absolutely delicious, with a great variety of options that made every meal enjoyable. One of the highlights was the stunning view, which added to the overall charm of the place. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it easy to unwind and enjoy my time. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I would highly recommend this hostel to anyone looking for a great stay.

Great view and location, but some things could be improved — especially for foreigners I stayed here on a Saturday and overall had a good experience. The view of the Ganga is truly beautiful and makes up for many of the minor inconveniences. The price of 3500 INR is reasonable for what you get. That said, there are a few important points to consider: – Check-in process was complicated — it took around 30 minutes just for registration. For foreigners, it was even more complex than going through passport control at the airport. I strongly recommend simplifying the process, ideally making it more like other hotels, or at least no harder than airport immigration. – The toilet had an extremely strong chemical air freshener that didn’t go away even after flushing and trying to air it out. I suggest switching to natural incense sticks or avoiding artificial fragrances altogether. A clean, natural smell is always better than overpowering chemicals. – There was some trash under the window that should be cleaned up to improve the overall impression. – The ceiling fan is quite noisy, but it’s visible in the photos, so it wasn’t a surprise. You eventually get used to it. Still, better soundproofing for the window and door would really make the stay a 10 out of 10. – On Saturdays, you can hear music and noise from nearby cafes until around 11:30 PM, but that’s expected for the weekend. In general, it’s a good place with a lot of charm. The staff is kind, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the view of the Ganga makes the stay feel special. I hope this feedback helps improve the experience even further. Thank you!

My stay at Shalom was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. The hostel is really comfortable, the atmosphere is great, and the guests are super friendly — but what truly stands out is Ankit. He's such a positive presence! His smile brings amazing energy to the place, and his professionalism makes everything run smoothly. The view of the Ganges River from the hostel is absolutely beautiful — it adds such a special touch to the experience. I celebrated Holi at the hostel, and it was honestly unforgettable. Thank you so much!