As the Indian subcontinent continues to be an important hub for global retail expansion and economic growth, here is our curated list of Bangladesh’s best business hotels for the picky traveller wanting to make a pit stop here
Not one usually on top of the radar, Bangladesh is a country which has been put under the ‘Next Eleven’ tier of developing countries with serious growth potential. With the government trying to diversify the economy with stress on industrial development, Bangladesh is working its way to being an important presence in the subcontinent. With a history riddled with strife, the country’s natural beauty is often overlooked but is something to explore along with its viability as a ‘best value’ destination for those travelling for work. Visible amidst the recent turmoil is the rise of a liberal public, which augurs well for the times to come as the government is developing business tourism given the proximity of hills, beaches, rivers, tea plantations, forests, and archaeological sites juxtaposed with the busy towns and cities of Bangladesh. What the country offers in terms of facilities for the business traveller is also a topic to be taken up considering there are some luxurious properties worth the time and effort of busy visitors who can relax in the comforts of these hotels known for their hospitality, accessibility and unique ‘Bangladeshi experience’. Here is our curated list of Bangladesh’s best and beautiful business hotels for you to consider on your next trip there:
Pan Pacific Sonargaon
This prestigious 5 star hotel is situated prominently in the centre of Bangladesh’s Diplomatic Zone and commercial district in the capital city of Dhaka. With a Business centre equipped with meeting rooms, wi-fi, secretarial services and such, the hotel is clearly a top choice for business visitor who can also revel in its lush greenery which offers respite from the concrete jungle around. The exclusive offerings such as limousine rentals and round-the-clock room service make it a viable one for the time-strapped, stylish traveller who can then end his stay with a relaxing dip in the hotel’s expansive pool, or a visit to the salon or the shopping arcade, followed by a nightcap at the Balcony Bar which has an extensive selection of international wines and liquors.
The hotel offers a choice of 277 suites and hotel rooms in Dhaka that marry old-world charm and contemporary sophistication. The penthouse Bengali Suite here is theluxe stay option that encapsulates chic urban living with soaring views of the city and swimming pool. This 9090 sqft suite comes with a large bedroom, a tastefully furnished living area with separate guest bathroom, a well-equipped kitchenette, and an exclusive dining area for up to six guests, and not to forget the accompanying Pacific club privileges of butler service, evening cocktails and such. The international cuisine restaurants like the Italian Ciao Bistro and the Barbeque Jharna Grill at Pan Pacific Sonargaon are two of Dhaka’s best restaurants and worth mentioning here.
Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel
Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden is set on seven acres of lush green gardens studded with water features to justify its name. Situated at just a ten-minute drive from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, this hotel is also in the vicinity of the diplomatic enclave and main commercial hub of the city. The accessible locations add to the world-class conveniences of this business hotel with the ambiance of a resort. There are 200 spacious hotel rooms and suites featuring modern décor and offer lovely views overlooking the sparkling pool, lush greenery and bustling city streets.Corporate travellers will love their Business Class Rooms with upgraded in-room amenities, a daily breakfast and evening refreshments at the Business Class Lounge or Water Garden Brasserie, complimentary airport transfers, complimentary laundry and daily turndown service. For conferences and team meetings there is ample space like in the Grand Ballroom, Utshab Banquet, and smaller boardrooms which come with breakout areas and service. For the weary workaholic, the hotel offers many avenues of relaxation like at their Sundaree Spa which is one the city’s best. And if you are sports junkie then you can take off to the adjacent Army Golf club for a calming round of golf, or vent it out on the treadmill in their state-of-the-art Health Club, or hit it hard at the tennis court. This hotel has seven restaurants and bars to cater to varied needs but worth special mention is the Cigar Bar with its selection of international cigars and the Sublime Restaurant featuring a modern open kitchen setting and dishing out some seriously decadent dishes.
Westin Hotels and Resorts
This award-winning hotel is located in Gulshan, an upscale area of Dhaka, near corporate offices—such as HSBC and Chevron—embassies, shopping, and entertainment complexes. Situated only 20 minutes away from the international airport, the hotel is a relatively new entrant on the Bangladesh luxury hotel scene but is already a favourite and structurally one of the tallest hotels in South Asia. The amenities available are various starting with the state-of-the-art Fitness Studio, the rejuvenating Westin Spa, and the outdoor heated pool. Meanwhile, for the business traveller there is the Business Centre with a suite of professional services. For those on longer work related visits, the hotel has 235 spacious guest rooms, including 24 suites to offer. But the one to choose is Executive Suites which are corner suites with floor to ceiling windows allowing panoramic views of the city and also access to the exclusive Executive Club Lounge with its dedicated workspace for optimal convenience plus daily food and beverage service. Wood flooring, a handsome mahogany panelled credenza, neutral colour palette, and eye-catching artwork makes these suites the perfect space to relax in.A stately upholstered headboard tops the king-size signature Heavenly® Bed with its ten layers of comfort and patented pillow-top mattress – a luxury beyond measure. And if this were not enough there is the en-suite oversized marble bathroom featuring a glass-enclosed rainforest shower, separate deep soaking bathtub for a perfect end to a long day. And should one be having guests over, the additional powder room, located next to the living room, makes hosting effortless.
For the foodies, The Westin Dhaka is a lovely dining destination with its five diverse restaurants and bar. There is traditional Bangladeshi fare and also Italian among the menus on offer. The features to mention here are the Eat Well menu for kids, the fresh and wholesome juicery and the specially curated SuperFoodsRx menu cultivating “food synergy for the wellness conscious.
The Peninsula Chittagong
Moving away from Dhaka, the capital city is Peninsula hotel in Chittagong, another very important commercial hub in Bangladesh. The hotel is located at theGEC circle of the Port City in a scenic and convenient location minutes from the commercial centre surrounded by famous retail shops, restaurants and corporate offices. There is selection of fully serviced modern venues – banquet hall and boardrooms – to suit all occasions, be it corporate meetings, off-sites, conferences. The five star experience is available here with concierge services, limo rentals etc. There are 144 rooms and suites of different types but the one to seek out is the Luxury suite, furnished with solid wood furniture along with teak wood flooring, and a king sized bed with orthopaedic bedding. The ceiling height windows overlook the hotel and the distant hills. There is a separate living room to host a business meeting as well. For when the work is done, there is the fitness centre and the Tararom Spa which has authentic Thai therapies to refresh and re-energise at. The dining facilities here include the Isles Bar and Flamingo Café. But the signature restaurant of the hotel is the Laguna Restaurant which combines the cuisine of five Asian countries – Bangladesh, India, Thailand, China and Sri Lanka with the Arabic and Continental Cuisine. The ambience and the service are both international while the restaurant provides perfect setting for luxurious dining and hosting.
