Review: Presidential Suite At The Le Meridien Dhaka

I can't believe any of this exists in Dhaka! If I ever return, I'll certainly make sure I spend a night at the Le Meridien.

Wow, although I'm a Lifetime Platinum member and have stayed at LeMeridien hotels before, I'm more of a "Westin" kind of guy. But I have to say this is the first LeMeridien hotel I actually want to stay at. Perhaps on my next trip to Bangkok I'll make a short side trip to Dhaka just to stay at this property.

Thanks for sharing!

Now thats a hotel room. It has a personal fitness room! All it needs is a plunge pool...

Keep up the flying Lucky!

I understand that there's a calculation involved in redeeming starpoints or paying cash. But since you can buy only 30,000 starpoints a year, isn't it nearly always obligatory to pay cash?

It seems like you get only 2-3 starpoints per dollar at hotels and 1 per dollar on the card, so they're not easy to accumulate when each redemption is in five digits and you want to transfer some of them to airlines.

Am I the only one who is clueless on how to use that exercise bike? > _ <

You can't afford it anyway.

https://www.wired.com/2010/09/10000-exercise-bike-for-posing-not-riding/

OK, I'm ready to break from my usual Westin booking when I visit Dhaka. It's not like there's much to the downtown anyway, though a few years ago the noise from a demonstration against insufficiently rigorous anti-blasphemy laws did bleed through to my upper-floor room. And anything that lessens time in Dhaka traffic is good.

Doesn't the contrast between those quarters and seeing the way most people live in Dhaka provoke any thoughts or concerns. I know it's good for everyone that you spend money there, but still that contrast is awfully stark! Hopefully makes one appreciate what they have a bit more.

@ Peter Michaelson -- It's a great point, and something I think about all the time when traveling to developing countries. It used to make me feel guilty, but over the years I've changed my tune a bit. The way I see it, it's a way to support the local economy and also to support big businesses that choose to invest in developing countries, and that's a good thing. The biggest thing I take away from stuff like this, though, is to be grateful for what I have. I'm so incredibly fortunately to be able to see so much of the world and do so in comfort, so it has given me a new level of appreciation for things.

If a hotel is sold out, all rooms have to be used. So who gets the upgrade to the presidential? A 1 night Platinum. Easy as that. Glad it was you!

Wow! What a fantastic Hotel room and the evening/breakfast spread is phenomenon! I have traveled many countries and top hotels but never seen this! Will definitely pay a visit there when I am travelling SE Asia.

Thanks for your report.

Former backpacker here who supports what Ben is doing and finds this information useful. They are two very distinct ways of seeing places and contributing to the local economies. I find the notion that one is inherently more "real" than the other silly. The only difference is, I've never read another budget traveller's blog that's switched me on to stuff I couldn't figure out hopping on a bus or meandering down an alleyway; whereas there is no way I'd have figured out how to travel at the level Ben's tips show us how to do without this blog. Not that I do it all the time (it gets a little boring for me). Life should be all about balance!

"The paid rate at the Le Meridien was about $220 for our night, while a free night redemption would have cost 10,000 Starpoints, as this is a Category 4 property. That’s roughly a breakeven redemption (I value Starpoints at ~2.2 cents each), though when you factor in the points you’re forgoing by redeeming points, paying cash seemed like the better value."

OMG, I have no words...

Just curious - did you get a transit visa in Dhaka as you were there for such a short time? Or Visa on arrival? Was it an arduous process or pretty easy?

we had a very special surprise — we got upgraded to the presidential suite.

Surprise? Really.

I guess you were having too much fun in the suite, and couldn't manage to
see the country's most cherished piece of architecture, the Parliament / National Assembly building.

Any reply this time?

@ Mark -- Um, I did a long tour and did see that? Not the reply you were looking for?

My prayers are answered.

Now, find Ford and watch MY ARCHITECT.

Please try Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden next time if you visit Dhaka again. You will feel the difference between single building hotel and an hotel having 7.5 acre of land. I can simple tell you Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden is having a pool in the ground not in the roof top. You know old is gold. Best Regards, Karim