- Introduction: Journey To Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, And Kuwait
- Review: Air France Lounge San Francisco Airport
- Review: Korean Air Business Class 747-8 San Francisco To Seoul
- Review: Korean Air Business Class 777 Seoul To Kathmandu
- Review: Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
- Review: Kathmandu Airport Lounge
- Review: Drukair Business Class A319 Kathmandu To Paro
- Review: Le Meridien Thimphu
- Review: Le Meridien Paro
- Hiking To The Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan
- How We Spent Our Time In Bhutan
- Review: Drukair Economy ATR42 Paro To Dhaka
- Review: Presidential Suite At The Le Meridien Dhaka
- Review: Dhaka Airport Lounge
- Review: Kuwait Airways Business Class A330 Dhaka To Kuwait
- Review: Sheraton Kuwait
- Review: Kuwait Airways Lounge Kuwait Airport
- Review: Kuwait Airways Business Class 777 Kuwait To Shannon
- Review: Kuwait Airways Business Class 777 Shannon To New York
We had just under 24 hours in Dhaka — our flight from Paro arrived at 9:05AM, and our flight to Kuwait City the next day departed at 8:55AM. As a Hyatt and Starwood loyalist I had a few hotel options. Hyatt doesn’t have any properties in Dhaka, though Starwood has a Le Meridien, Westin, and Four Points.
We decided to book the Le Meridien, given it seemed to be the property closest to the airport, and also looked the most modern. At the time I booked I didn’t realize that the Le Meridien is actually widely considered to be Dhaka’s best hotel.
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.
We arranged a car from the airport to the hotel, which I typically find to be worthwhile, especially when visiting a place for the first time. The transfer cost $20, and included being met at immigration, and a comfortable car with Wi-Fi. The hotel is close to the airport, though traffic in Dhaka is insane, so apparently the drive can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes.
Our ride was pretty quick, so we were at the hotel within 20 minutes.
Security in Dhaka seems to be tight, especially at the Le Meridien. First there was a car check to enter the premises, then we had to go through a metal detector, and our bags had to go through an x-ray. That’s pretty common nowadays in many parts of the world, though security here seemed to be even higher. There were several armed guards with machine guns, both outside the hotel and in the lobby.
The hotel’s lobby is huge and gorgeous. This must be the most beautifully designed Le Meridien city hotel I’ve ever stayed at.
Le Meridien Dhaka lobby
Reception is inside the lobby and to the right, and consists of sit-down check-in, rather than a counter. That’s very impressive, and it’s something I usually only see at St. Regis, etc.
Le Meridien Dhaka reception
Then to the left was the hotel’s cafe, which had tons of seating.
Le Meridien Dhaka lobby
Le Meridien Dhaka lobby
Le Meridien Dhaka lobby
There was also a business center just off the lobby.
Le Meridien Dhaka business center
Since I’m an SPG Platinum member, we were escorted up to the club lounge for check-in, which is located on the 12th floor. The elevators were at the far end of the lobby and to the right.
Le Meridien Dhaka lobby
The hotel had big hallways, and the club was just a short walk from the elevator.
Le Meridien Dhaka hallway
After our check-in was processed, we had a very special surprise — we got upgraded to the presidential suite. I’ve spent well over a thousand nights in hotels, and this was my second ever presidential suite upgrade. This always seems to happen on short stays where you don’t actually plan on spending much time in the hotel, but I guess that’s just life. 😉
The presidential suite is room 1266, and it’s just a short walk from the club lounge.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite entrance
The presidential suite was ~4,300 square feet, and was simply insane. There was a huge foyer just inside the double doors.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite foyer
Then to the left was another big hallway of sorts.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite
To the right of that was the living room, which was beautifully appointed. Aside from the sheer amount of space the presidential suite afforded, I thought it was beautifully appointed in a way that’s still “true” to the Le Meridien brand.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite living room
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite living room
There was a massive couch and several seats.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite living room
In the far corner was a bar area, which even had an espresso machine, in addition to the typical kettle and bottled water.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite living room
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite coffee machine
On the living room table was a welcome amenity with nuts, sparkling water, and candy.
Le Meridien Dhaka welcome amenity
The suite has two bedrooms, though I’ll talk more about them in a bit. Back near the entrance and to the left was a kitchen, which we didn’t use.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite kitchen
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite kitchen
Then to the right of the main entrance was the dining room, or I suppose board room, depending on how you look at it. I was almost tempted to order room service so that we could have the least romantic meal in history, sitting at the opposite ends of the table. 😉
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite dining room
Past the dining room was an office. I spent a bit of time working from there. This is a good time to mention that the Wi-Fi throughout the hotel was fast.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite office
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite office
There was a second entrance behind the office area, and next to that was a half bath.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite second entrance
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite half bathroom
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite half bathroom
On that side of the room was the second bedroom. The bedroom was huge, probably almost double the size of most standard hotel rooms.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite bedroom
The room had a comfortable Le Meridien signature king size bed, a sitting area with two chairs near the door, and a desk on the opposite side of the room.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite bedroom
Behind the bedroom was a huge closet, that’s probably as big as most hotel rooms in Japan. 😉
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite closet
Then there was a bathroom with double sinks, a walk-in shower, soaking tub, toilet, and vanity.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite bathroom
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite tub
On the exact opposite end of the room (which required walking through the office, dining room, foyer, and then living room) was the other bedroom. It was a similar size as the other one, and had a desk and a sitting area.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite master bedroom
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite master bedroom
This bedroom also had a big closet.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite closet
Next to that was a cardio area, with a treadmill and exercise bike. You know you’re in a fancy suite when it has its own exercise equipment.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite gym
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite gym
Then the bathroom also featured double sinks, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, a toilet, and a vanity.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite master bathroom
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite master bathroom
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite master bathroom
All rooms had views of the city. Dhaka doesn’t have the most inspiring skyline, but the views were good, and the sound insulation excellent.
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite view
Okay, ready for the coolest part of the room? ALL THE TOWELS AND BATHROBES SAID “PRESIDENTIAL” on them. Do you have any clue how much restraint it took not to have a few of those make their way into my carry-on, or to show up to breakfast in a bathrobe, as I sometimes see people do? Just kidding, of course…
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite robe
Le Meridien Dhaka presidential suite robe
This room was truly stunning, though I realize we got really lucky with our upgrade. But even if our room had just been one of those individual bedrooms, I’d say this is a very nice hotel. Dhaka isn’t a very luxurious hotel market (though there are quite a few new hotels being built), and based on what I’ve gathered, the Le Meridien is the nicest hotel there, and also has the advantage of still being new.
Due to my SPG Platinum status we had access to the hotel’s club lounge, located a short walk from our room. The lounge was a beautiful space, with plenty of seating, consisting of both dining tables as well as couches. I rarely saw any other guests in the lounge.
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge
In terms of the food and drink selection, in the afternoon there were some finger sandwiches and sweets, as well as champagne (that’s impressive).
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge afternoon snacks
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge afternoon snacks
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge afternoon drinks
Then in the evening there were cocktails and more substantial food offerings, including several hot options.
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge evening snacks
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge evening snacks
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge evening snacks
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge evening snacks
There were also nuts, salad, and dessert.
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge evening snacks
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge evening snacks
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge evening snacks
The breakfast buffet in the lounge was good as well, with cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, cold cuts, and several hot options.
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge breakfast
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge breakfast
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge breakfast
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge breakfast
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge breakfast
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge breakfast
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge breakfast
There was also a chef on hand to prepare omelets.
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge breakfast
The lounge had a legitimate espresso machine as well, where the attendant could make drinks whenever the lounge was open.
Le Meridien Dhaka club lounge proper espresso machine
The food quality in the lounge was phenomenal. While I’ve seen club lounges with more extensive food spreads, the quality of everything set this place apart. Also, everyone we interacted with in the lounge was attentive and gracious. That’s true of the staff at the hotel in general.
In terms of other features, the hotel has a rooftop infinity pool on the 16th floor, which is pretty snazzy.
Le Meridien Dhaka pool
There’s a big rooftop deck, where you can grab a drink or snack.
Le Meridien Dhaka pool deck
The gym is also located on the 16th floor, and is a good size.
Le Meridien Dhaka gym
Le Meridien Dhaka gym
Le Meridien Dhaka gym
Le Meridien Dhaka gym
We spent most of our day taking a city tour, which the hotel’s concierge graciously gave us. I wrote about that experience in a previous post. Traffic in Dhaka is crazy, and it took nearly two hours to get from one side of the city to the other.
After that we got a good night of sleep, and early the next morning we were off to the airport.
Le Meridien Dhaka bottom line
Of course we were caught off guard with this upgrade. After well over a thousand nights in hotels, this was my second such upgrade. So while the upgrade was beyond amazing, I think this is an all around solid hotel, and I’d recommend staying here if visiting Dhaka. The room design was beautiful, service great, club lounge impressive, and food quality top notch. I was sad we only had such a short stay.
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
My prayers are answered.
Now, find Ford and watch MY ARCHITECT.
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?
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?
"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...
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...
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!
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.
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!
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...
@ 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.
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.
You can't afford it anyway.
https://www.wired.com/2010/09/10000-exercise-bike-for-posing-not-riding/
Am I the only one who is clueless on how to use that exercise bike? > _ <
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.
Now thats a hotel room. It has a personal fitness room! All it needs is a plunge pool...
Keep up the flying Lucky!
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!
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.