--- title: "Where to Stay in Dhaka (2026): Best Areas & Luxury Hotels" description: "Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, the airport strip or central Shahbag? How Dhaka's best areas compare for luxury travellers, which hotels sit in each, and who each one suits." canonical: "https://luxurybangladesh.com/guides/where-to-stay-in-dhaka/" type: "guide" site: "Luxury Bangladesh" published: "2026-10-22" updated: "2026-10-22" llms_txt: "https://luxurybangladesh.com/llms.txt" --- # Where to Stay in Dhaka: The Best Areas for Luxury Travellers (2026) > Canonical page: https://luxurybangladesh.com/guides/where-to-stay-in-dhaka/ (cite this URL) · Site guide: https://luxurybangladesh.com/llms.txt Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, the airport strip or central Shahbag? How Dhaka's best areas compare for luxury travellers, which hotels sit in each, and who each one suits. For most first-time luxury travellers, **Gulshan**, and Gulshan 2 in particular, is the best place to stay in Dhaka. It is the city's diplomatic and corporate district, it has the largest cluster of international hotels and restaurants, and the big Gulshan hotels put the airport about 25 minutes away when the roads are clear. Choose **Banani** next door for a similar feel with quick expressway access, the **airport strip** in Nikunja and beside Dhaka Cantonment for stopovers and conventions, and **central Dhaka** (Shahbag and Karwan Bazar) if your days revolve around museums, government offices, banks or Old Dhaka. *Hotel and transport details checked October 2026. Hotels change brands, facilities and star labels, so confirm on the hotel page before you book.* ## How Dhaka is laid out, and why it matters Dhaka runs north to south. The airport sits in the north, with the planned suburb of Uttara beyond it. Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara form the upscale core in the north-centre, east of the main Airport Road. Further south come the commercial centre (Tejgaon and Karwan Bazar), the university and museum quarter around Shahbag, and then Motijheel, Paltan and the riverside lanes of Old Dhaka. Distances look short on a map, but traffic decides how long anything takes. Two newer pieces of infrastructure have changed the maths: - **The Dhaka Elevated Expressway** runs from the airport (Kawla) to Farmgate, with exits that include Banani (Kemal Ataturk Avenue), Mohakhali, Farmgate and Karwan Bazar. The airport–Farmgate section opened in September 2023; the route on towards Kutubkhali is still under construction. - **Metro Rail (MRT Line 6)** links Uttara North with Motijheel through 16 stations, including Agargaon, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbag, Dhaka University and Bangladesh Secretariat. It does not serve Gulshan, Banani or Baridhara. > **Insider tip:** Choose your hotel by where you will spend your days, not by the nightly rate. A cheaper room on the wrong side of the city can easily cost you hours in traffic. ## Dhaka's best areas at a glance | Area | Best for | Hotels to know | To the airport | Watch-outs | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Gulshan 1 and 2 | First visits, business, embassy visits, dining | Westin, Renaissance, Crowne Plaza, Amari, Four Points | About 25 min off-peak (hotels' own estimates) | Highest rates; jams around the Gulshan circles | | Banani | Business, restaurants, fast expressway access | Sheraton Dhaka, Hotel Sarina | Short run via the expressway | Busy main avenues | | Baridhara | Quiet long stays, embassy appointments | Serviced residences; Gulshan 2 hotels minutes away | Similar to Gulshan | Almost entirely residential and diplomatic | | Bashundhara and ICCB | Conventions, universities, Evercare Hospital | Nearest: Dhaka Regency, Le Méridien | A short drive | Few full-service hotels inside the area | | Airport strip (Nikunja, Cantonment) | Stopovers, early flights, ICCB events | Le Méridien, Dhaka Regency, Radisson Blu | 2–5 km | Far from Old Dhaka and the museums | | Shahbag and Minto Road | Culture, museums, government, Old Dhaka | InterContinental | Allow up to an hour at peak times | Shahbag junction is a protest hotspot | | Karwan Bazar and Tejgaon | Central meetings, media, metro access | Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre | Pan Pacific is about 15 km away | Market and junction traffic | | Motijheel and Paltan | Banks and the central bank | No international luxury brand; stay central and take the metro | The furthest business district from the airport | Limited evening dining | | Dhanmondi | Lakeside culture, visiting family | Few upscale hotels; nearest are Pan Pacific and InterContinental | Allow plenty of time | Few international hotels | ## Gulshan: the safe default for first-time visitors Gulshan was laid out in the early 1960s as a planned upscale suburb, and it is now Dhaka's diplomatic and corporate address. The wider Gulshan area, which takes in Gulshan Model Town (circles 1 and 2), Niketan and the Baridhara Diplomatic Zone, hosts the majority of foreign embassies and high commissions in Bangladesh. Alongside them sit corporate offices, the local headquarters of multinational companies, banks, clubs and a long list of restaurants. **Who it suits:** first-time visitors who want an easy landing, business travellers with meetings in Gulshan, Banani or Tejgaon, and anyone who wants plenty of restaurant choice within a short drive. **Luxury hotels in Gulshan** - [The Westin Dhaka](/hotel/westin-dhaka/): a 24-storey, 235-room Marriott-operated tower on Gulshan Avenue in Gulshan 2, with several restaurants under one roof. - [Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel](/hotel/renaissance-dhaka-gulshan-hotel/): opened in 2019 on Gulshan Avenue. Marriott puts the airport about a 25-minute drive away and runs a paid shuttle that you reserve in advance. - [Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan](/hotel/crowne-plaza-dhaka-gulshan/): the first Crowne Plaza in Bangladesh, opened by IHG in January 2023 in Gulshan 2, with a freeform outdoor pool, a rooftop sundeck and a steakhouse, The Beast, on the 26th floor. - [Amari Dhaka](/hotel/amari-dhaka/): ONYX Hospitality Group's Bangladesh flagship, a 134-room hotel on Road 41 in Gulshan 2. - [Four Points by Sheraton Dhaka, Gulshan](/hotel/four-points-by-sheraton-dhaka-gulshan/): a 149-room Marriott hotel close to the embassies and high commissions. **Walkability and traffic:** Gulshan is one of the few parts of Dhaka where a short walk to lunch is realistic, but pavements are patchy and traffic builds heavily around the Gulshan 1 and Gulshan 2 circles at rush hour. After dark, most visitors use the hotel car or a ride-hailing app rather than walking any distance. See every option on our [Gulshan hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/gulshan/). > **Insider tip:** Alcohol is served only in government-licensed bars, and the UK Foreign Office notes that you may need a liquor permit. If a glass of wine with dinner matters to you, check whether your hotel has a licensed bar before you book, rather than assuming the restaurant downstairs will serve one. ## Banani: Gulshan's busier neighbour Banani sits right next to Gulshan and has a similar profile: an upscale residential and commercial neighbourhood with offices of local and multinational companies, five-star hotels, upscale restaurants and international schools. It feels a little more commercial than Gulshan 2, and it is better placed for the expressway. **Who it suits:** business travellers who want a slightly more central base than Gulshan 2, and anyone who values a fast run to the airport. **Luxury hotels in Banani** - [Sheraton Dhaka](/hotel/sheraton-dhaka/): the neighbourhood landmark, a 29-floor, 248-room tower at 44 Kemal Ataturk Avenue. The Elevated Expressway has an exit on the same avenue, and Marriott says the airport can be as little as seven minutes away by expressway when it is flowing. - [Hotel Sarina](/hotel/hotel-sarina-dhaka/): an established local five-star on Road 17 in Banani, listed as five-star by the major booking sites. Browse more on our [Banani hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/banani/). ## Baridhara: the diplomatic quarter Baridhara lies east and north-east of Gulshan, across the Gulshan–Baridhara Lake. Its south-western portion is the diplomatic zone: the US, Japanese, French, German and Chinese embassies and the Indian High Commission are here, and the British High Commission is on United Nations Road. The rest is residential, with international schools including the American International School of Dhaka and the French International School. **Who it suits:** long-stay diplomats, NGO and development staff, families who want quieter streets, and anyone with an embassy appointment. **Where to stay:** Baridhara is overwhelmingly residential and diplomatic, so most visitors either stay in Gulshan 2, a few minutes away, or take a serviced apartment. [Ascott The Residence Dhaka](/hotel/ascott-the-residence-dhaka/), listed in the Baridhara diplomatic zone, offers apartments with a spa, gym and rooftop terrace. See also our [Baridhara hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/baridhara/). > **Insider tip:** If you have an embassy appointment, stay in Gulshan 2 the night before. It keeps you a few minutes from the diplomatic zone instead of at the mercy of cross-city traffic on the morning that matters. ## Bashundhara and the ICCB corridor Bashundhara Residential Area, developed by the Bashundhara Group, is the largest private real estate project in Greater Dhaka. Grameenphone, Walton and the Bashundhara Group have their headquarters here, as do North South University, Independent University, Bangladesh, and Evercare Hospital Dhaka. On Pragati Sarani, between Kuril and the residential area, Jamuna Future Park (opened in 2013) is one of the largest malls in the region, with more than 500 shops. International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), the city's main exhibition and convention venue, stands on Kuril Bishwa Road beside the 300-foot Purbachal Expressway. **Who it suits:** convention delegates, visitors to the universities or the hospital, and families who like mall-based dining. **Where to stay:** for a full-service hotel, look to Airport Road in Nikunja, a short drive away. [Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort](/hotel/dhaka-regency-hotel-resort/) and [Le Méridien Dhaka](/hotel/le-meridien-dhaka/) are the closest options to ICCB. Browse the area on our [Bashundhara hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/bashundhara/). ## The airport strip: Nikunja, Cantonment and Uttara If you are in Dhaka for a night or two, landing late or leaving early, stay on Airport Road and let the city come to you. - [Le Méridien Dhaka](/hotel/le-meridien-dhaka/): at 79/A Commercial Area, Airport Road, Nikunja 2, about 2 km from the airport and right beside the Dhaka Stock Exchange. - [Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort](/hotel/dhaka-regency-hotel-resort/): also on Airport Road in Nikunja 2, around 3 km from the airport. Booking sites list it as either four- or five-star, so judge it on its rooms and reviews rather than the label. - [Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden](/hotel/radisson-blu-dhaka-water-garden/): on Airport Road beside Dhaka Cantonment, roughly 5 km from the airport. **Uttara**, further north, is a planned satellite town begun in 1967 and now one of the city's most sought-after residential suburbs. It adjoins the airport, has three metro stations (Uttara North, Uttara Center and Uttara South) and is home to the BGMEA Complex, headquarters of the garment manufacturers' and exporters' association, which matters if your trip is about apparel sourcing. See our [Uttara hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/uttara/). **Who it suits:** stopovers, early departures, ICCB events and garment-sector visits heading out of the city. Compare them on our [airport hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/airport/). > **Insider tip:** On a one-night stopover, the airport strip removes Dhaka's biggest unknown: the traffic. Note that the new Terminal 3 is not open yet (a partial opening is targeted for 16 December 2026), so check which terminal your airline uses if you fly after mid-December. Our [Dhaka airport guide](/guides/dhaka-airport-guide/) has the details. ## Shahbag and Minto Road: central Dhaka's heritage address [InterContinental Dhaka](/hotel/intercontinental-dhaka/) at 1 Minto Road is the country's most storied hotel. It opened in 1966 as the Inter-Continental Dacca, the first international five-star hotel in what is now Bangladesh. It ran as the Sheraton from 1983 to 2011 and then as the Ruposhi Bangla, before closing in 2014 for a full renovation and reopening as the InterContinental on 19 December 2018. Booking listings mention an outdoor pool, a spa and a 24-hour business centre. A short walk or ride takes you to Suhrawardy Udyan and Ramna Park, the University of Dhaka, the Bangladesh National Museum, the Faculty of Fine Arts and the open-air flower market at the Shahbag intersection. From Shahbag metro station, Motijheel is three stops south and Karwan Bazar is one stop north. **Who it suits:** culture-first travellers, government and banking meetings around the Secretariat and Motijheel, and anyone planning to explore Old Dhaka. Browse the area on our [Shahbag hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/shahbag/). **Watch-out:** the Shahbag intersection has long been the city's main protest stage, from the 2013 Shahbag protests to the July 2024 uprising and since. Check the news on the day, and follow the UK Foreign Office's advice to keep away from demonstrations. ## Karwan Bazar and Tejgaon: the commercial centre [Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka](/hotel/pan-pacific-sonargaon-dhaka/) opened in 1981 on an eight-acre plot at 107 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue. The Bangladesh government owns it and Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts manages it. It has a pool and health club, and Karwan Bazar metro station is close by. Karwan Bazar itself is one of Dhaka's biggest wholesale markets and its media district: Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have offices here, along with several television channels and the Export Promotion Bureau. Neighbouring Panthapath has the Bashundhara City mall and Square Hospital. A short drive away in Tejgaon, [Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre](/hotel/holiday-inn-dhaka-city-centre/) has a rooftop pool, and the hotel says the airport is about 15 minutes away via the Elevated Expressway. **Who it suits:** travellers with meetings spread across the city, media and tech visits, and anyone who wants to use the metro. See our [Tejgaon hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/tejgaon/). ## Motijheel and Paltan: where the banks are Motijheel is Dhaka's original central business district and still the country's largest commercial and financial hub. Bangladesh Bank, the central bank, is here, along with the head offices of state-owned banks such as Sonali, Janata, Agrani and Rupali, private banks including Dutch-Bangla and Eastern Bank, and the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Paltan lies immediately to the west. **Where to stay:** our research found no international luxury brand in Motijheel itself. The practical answer is to stay at the InterContinental or Pan Pacific Sonargaon and take the metro: Motijheel is the end of the line, three stops from Shahbag and four from Karwan Bazar. An extension to Kamalapur, the main railway station, is expected to open in July 2027. Bangladesh works Sunday to Thursday, so schedule bank meetings then, and plan dinner back near your hotel, where the restaurant choice is far wider. See our [Motijheel hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/motijheel/) for business hotels in the district. ## Dhanmondi: lakeside, cultural and residential Dhanmondi was planned in the early 1950s as a residential area for the city's elite and remains one of Dhaka's most pleasant neighbourhoods. Life centres on Dhanmondi Lake: the Rabindra Sarobar amphitheatre near Road 8 hosts concerts and theatre, and food stalls and cafés line the water around Roads 2, 5, 8 and 32. Satmasjid Road, Mirpur Road and Road 27 are the commercial spines. **Who it suits:** visitors with family or friends in the area, culture lovers, and travellers who prefer a residential feel. **Where to stay:** Dhanmondi has few upscale hotels. The nearest international five-stars are Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Karwan Bazar and the InterContinental at Shahbag, both a short drive away. See our [Dhanmondi hotels page](/hotels/dhaka/dhanmondi/). ## Quick picks: the right base for your trip - **First visit, mostly leisure:** Gulshan 2, at [Crowne Plaza](/hotel/crowne-plaza-dhaka-gulshan/) or [the Westin](/hotel/westin-dhaka/), or the [InterContinental](/hotel/intercontinental-dhaka/) if museums and Old Dhaka come first. - **Corporate meetings in Gulshan, Banani or Tejgaon:** [Renaissance](/hotel/renaissance-dhaka-gulshan-hotel/), [Amari](/hotel/amari-dhaka/) or [Sheraton Dhaka](/hotel/sheraton-dhaka/). - **Banks, the Secretariat and government offices in Agargaon:** the InterContinental or [Pan Pacific Sonargaon](/hotel/pan-pacific-sonargaon-dhaka/), plus the metro. - **A convention at ICCB:** [Le Méridien](/hotel/le-meridien-dhaka/) or [Dhaka Regency](/hotel/dhaka-regency-hotel-resort/). - **A one-night stopover or a dawn flight:** Le Méridien, Dhaka Regency or [Radisson Blu Water Garden](/hotel/radisson-blu-dhaka-water-garden/). - **Families who want a pool:** Crowne Plaza (outdoor pool), Pan Pacific Sonargaon, the InterContinental (outdoor pool) or [Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre](/hotel/holiday-inn-dhaka-city-centre/) (rooftop pool). - **A month or longer:** a serviced apartment in Baridhara or Gulshan, such as [Ascott The Residence Dhaka](/hotel/ascott-the-residence-dhaka/). ## Before you book: traffic, safety and air quality - **Plan around traffic.** Group your meetings by area and leave generous gaps between them. - **Arrange your airport transfer in advance.** The UK Foreign Office warns of theft, harassment and taxi overcharging at Dhaka airport and advises against using bag-carrying touts. A pre-booked hotel car avoids all three. - **Use cars, not cycle-rickshaws, on main roads.** The Foreign Office describes cycle-rickshaws on main roads as unsafe. Ride-hailing works, mostly for cash; check the plate and driver before you get in. - **Mind the air.** The Foreign Office flags severe air pollution from November to March. On smoggy days, a hotel with a good indoor gym and pool earns its keep. - **Stay alert after dark.** Violent crime has reportedly increased since 2024, and the Foreign Office advises against carrying large sums of cash or wearing expensive watches and jewellery. Our [Bangladesh safety guide](/guides/is-bangladesh-safe-for-tourists/) puts the risks in context. - **Look past the star label.** Star ratings vary between booking sites. Our hotel pages show AI-analysed Google reviews with suspicious reviews flagged; see [how we rate hotels](/how-we-rate/) and our [review methodology](/review-methodology/). ## Next steps - Compare every [5-star hotel in Dhaka](/hotels/dhaka/5-star/) or browse [all hotels in Dhaka](/hotels/dhaka/). - Read our [Dhaka destination guide](/destinations/dhaka/) and the best [places to visit in Dhaka](/places-to-visit/dhaka/). - Travelling for work? Our [business travel guide to Dhaka](/guides/business-travel-in-dhaka/) covers districts, transfers and etiquette. - Need a break from the city? See our pick of [luxury resorts near Dhaka](/guides/luxury-resorts-near-dhaka/). - Sort the paperwork with our [Bangladesh visa guide](/guides/bangladesh-visa-guide/), and plan meals with our [Bangladeshi food guide](/guides/bangladeshi-food-guide/). ## FAQ **What is the best area to stay in Dhaka for first-time visitors?** Gulshan, and Gulshan 2 in particular. It is Dhaka's diplomatic and corporate district, with the widest choice of international hotels and restaurants, and the big Gulshan hotels put the airport about 25 minutes away when traffic is light. **Which luxury hotels are closest to Dhaka airport?** Le Méridien Dhaka (about 2 km), Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort (about 3 km) and Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden (about 5 km) all sit on Airport Road, close to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. **Is Gulshan safe for foreigners?** Gulshan is home to most of Dhaka's embassies, international hotels and corporate offices, and it is where most foreign visitors stay. The usual precautions still apply: avoid demonstrations, use pre-booked cars or ride-hailing after dark and keep phones, watches and cash out of sight. **Where should I stay in Dhaka to visit Old Dhaka and the museums?** Choose the InterContinental on Minto Road or Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Karwan Bazar. Both are in central Dhaka beside metro stations on MRT Line 6, which cuts the journey towards Motijheel and the older parts of the city. **Where should I stay for an event at ICCB Bashundhara?** The closest full-service hotels to International Convention City Bashundhara are on Airport Road in Nikunja, notably Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort and Le Méridien Dhaka, a short drive from the venue. **Does the Dhaka metro go to Gulshan or Banani?** No. MRT Line 6 runs from Uttara North to Motijheel via Agargaon, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar and Shahbag, so it suits hotels in central Dhaka. Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara are reached by road, helped by the Elevated Expressway's exit in Banani. 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