Where to Stay
 
As this blog nears the end, I realize that one of its major shortcomings and disservices to you, the reader, has been the lack of a reliable rating system for out of Dhaka hotels.  For those of you who will be visiting Bangladesh and don’t want to limit yourself to Dhaka proper, I offer a brief rundown on what the Bangladesh hospitality industry has to offer.  A good rule of thumb - any hotel with a website (links provided) is better than any hotel without one, although a website is no guarantee of hot water.  Most hotels are in the twenty to thirty dollar a night range, and include breakfast.  Following is an alphabetical list, by city, of some of the choices available. lk
 
Barisal - Saint Bangladesh - Saint Bangladesh is the guesthouse portion of the eponymous NGO which has one of the most tortured acronyms ever.  Saint stands for “Sayestabad Altruism Institute of Nationwide Task.”  The hotel had hot water and the tv worked, even though the hotel was on backup generator most of the time.  Very buggy.
 
Bogra - Hotel Naz Garden - One of my favorites.  It has a gift shop; excellent breakfast buffet; places to run; and a little green arrow on the ceiling, indicating the direction to Mecca.
 
Chittagong - Peninsula Chittagong  -  Quite simply the finest hotel outside of Dhaka.  A bit pricey at fifty dollars per night, but great restaurants; the least uncomfortable of all the hotel beds; fitness club; and rooftop swimming pool!
 
Comilla - Two hotels, the Noor Jahan and BARD (Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development) guest house.  The Noor Jahan is one of the worst hotels I stayed in, three dimensional stains on the walls, road noise, poor restaurant.  Even at fifteen dollars a night, it was no bargain.  BARD was nicer, but engaged in the odious practice of charging foreigners an additional twenty-five per cent for a “deluxe” room, which included a nonfunctional tv and no hot water, but did offer mosquito netting.  Ridiculously inexpensive cafeteria and green surroundings.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                  Noor Jahan Hotel, Comilla                                BARD cafeteria, Comilla
 
 
 
 
Khulna - Hotel Royal International - The hotel’s domain name expired on May 19, but it still qualifies as a hotel with a web site.  Spacious suite with mini bar, complimentary fruit plate and coffee/tea.  Diner motif restaurant with good breakfast buffet.  Subtle indication of direction to Mecca.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
              Hotel Royal Int’l Suite, Khulna                                           Subtle signage
 
 
 
 
 
Mymensingh - Hotel River View -  Disappointing for the thirty five dollar price tag.  I was in the honeymoon suite, which offered a bedroom window looking on to the restaurant, as well as a non functioning tv, a refrigerator whose plug fit no outlet, and no hot water.  Mediocre breakfast offering.  Very buggy, although it included new bugs I hadn’t seen.
 
Noakhali - Danida Guest House - Another NGO guest house, this one the Danish International Development Agency.  Located in a remote rural area, this lodging meets expectations.  Short walk to town where hot, fresh naan is only four taka a pop.
 
Pabna - Proshanti Bhabon - See Feb. 19 Pabna entry for more detail on this hotel. I stayed here twice, and the hotel started to grow on me, in a good way.  Not a bad little hotel at all, except for lack of hot water.
 
Rajshahi - Chez Razzak - I stayed in this hotel the first time I went to Rajshahi.  The second time, I went an hour and a half away to avoid staying there again.  Chez Razzak is a house converted into a hotel, kilometers away from any conveniences, with few amenities.  No one else stays there.  You are better off overnighting in Pabna or Bogra.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                      Chez Razzak                                                          Breakfast Chez Razzak
 
 
 
 
 
Sandwip - Jaman Guest House - There’s not a lot you can expect from a hotel costing less than three dollars per night, and the Jaman Guest House (pictured at top) does not disappoint.  Further details and pictures can be found in the April 7 and 8 blog entries for Sandwip.
 
Sylhet - Hotel Fortune Garden - A perfectly fine hotel, the Hotel Fortune Garden shares a lobby with a contemporary furniture store.  Turn left for reception.  Complimentary fruit basket, plenty of hot water, and sufficient adequate restaurants within walking distance make this hotel a Sylhet Best Bet™.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                    Hotel Fortune Garden’s bookkeeping system.
 
 
 
 
 
Saturday, May 23, 2009