Hotels in Dhaka

Dhaka: Megacity on the Buriganga

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, sits on the eastern bank of the Buriganga River and holds a population exceeding 22 million — one of the densest urban concentrations on Earth. The city's recorded history stretches to the Mughal period; Lalbagh Fort, begun in 1678 under Prince Azam, anchors the Old Dhaka quarter alongside the Ahsan Manzil pink palace (1872) and the wholesale spice lanes of Shankhari Bazaar. North of the old city, the planned districts of Gulshan, Banani, and Dhanmondi contain the embassies, rooftop restaurants, and lake-edge cafés that business and leisure travelers use as a base.

Where to Stay

Hotels concentrate in three zones. Motijheel, the central business district, suits corporate stays close to the financial quarter. Gulshan-2 offers mid-range and upscale hotels within walking distance of the United Nations compound and major consulates. Budget guesthouses line the streets around Farmgate and Karwan Bazaar, roughly 3 km west of Gulshan. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport sits 20 km north of Motijheel; the drive takes 40–70 minutes depending on traffic.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Ride-hailing apps (Pathao, Uber) navigate traffic faster than metered taxis in most corridors.
• Currency: The Bangladeshi Taka (BDT); ATMs in Gulshan and Banani accept international cards reliably.
• Climate: November through February is dry season with temperatures of 15–25 °C — the most comfortable window for visiting.
• Visa: Most nationalities obtain a visa on arrival at Shahjalal Airport for stays up to 30 days.