Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka — Hotel in Dhaka Metropolitan

As a longtime VIP Radisson member and someone who spends over six months a year in hotels globally for the last 10+ years, I’ve come to expect a certain level of quality and service from the Radisson brand. Unfortunately, my recent stay at this Radisson Blu in Dhaka fell dramatically short on multiple levels. And all in all i think was the worst hotel experience i ever had…

To start with, the air conditioning in both the room and the lobby was barely functional, which is simply unacceptable in such a hot and humid climate. In addition, the room key consistently failed to work; during a brief 10min wait at the front desk, I witnessed at least three other guests complaining about the same issue. This seems to be a chronic, unresolved problem..!

Given that the nightly rate exceeds 170USD a steep price in the local context of Bangladesh, you would expect a high standard of facilities and service. What I received was anything but. There was no welcome gift or recognition of my VIP status, something I would consistently receive at other Radisson properties. When requesting a late checkout due to my evening flight, the Guest Relations Manager “Anis”, refused my 6:00 PM request and limited me to 4:00 PM, claiming the hotel was fully booked. However, a quick check on the Radisson app showed plenty of rooms still available, making this refusal both disappointing and unconvincing…

BUT The most unacceptable part of my stay came at checkout. I was presented with a bill that was over 12,615.75 BDT (~104 USD) higher than it should have been for my 3nights stay. Initially, the staff insisted this was correct. ONLY after strong insistence did they investigate properly and acknowledge the error. The biggest “joke” came again from Guest Relation Manager “Anis” who was now offering me to go back to the room to wait until that they resolve this issue ! When I actually just checked out by 4:00pm as this same “Anis” told me supposedly that he could not grant me late check out up to 6:00pm as the hotel was full… What a Joke Seriously !!!

Had I not checked carefully, I would have unknowingly overpaying !!! It makes me really wonder how many other clients have been similarly overcharged in the past ?!?

Additionally, during the entire ordeal, not once was I offered a drink, snack, or even a basic gesture of hospitality while waiting. The overall lack of care and customer service was disheartening..!

A special note must be made about “Anis”, the so called Guest Relations Manager. I am very sorry, but based on my experience, he seems to lack both the communication skills and customer-centricity mindset necessary for dealing with overseas guests. His approach was dismissive, unempathetic, and far from what one would expect from someone in a guest-facing leadership role.

This experience has made me seriously reconsider my loyalty to the Radisson brand; as you would definitely not expect such situations as Normal Client and even less as a Loyal VIP Member !!

This Radisson Blu Dhaka is definitely not living up to the standards associated with the name, and as of today, I can absolutely not recommend it to other travelers due to too much dodgy things ongoing..!

To not speak only about the negative aspects, I can say that the Front Desk lady Ms. Tahmina, did an excellent job handling the invoicing issue. The breakfast was actually very good with big choices of international items, the Gym is fine and the swimming pool area is nice and peaceful - knowing the Chaos of Dhaka city which is...

The Hotel igenerally receives positive reviews, particularly for its excellent service, helpful staff, and convenient location. However, some guests have noted issues with cleanliness, comfort, and certain amenities.

Trip typeHoliday · Family

Rooms5.0

Service5.0

Location5.0

Hotel highlightsGreat view

RoomsNice

Nearby activitiesAll good

SafetyVery very safe

WalkabilityGood

Food and drinksNice

Noteworthy detailsVery nice

Rudra's2/53 weeks ago on  Google

The location is perfect. But the problem is the hotel Couldn't complete my expectations. I booked it from Booking dot com 2 days before reaching Booking dot com confirm the room. But when I called the hotel they said I have to pay  …Read more

Trip typeHoliday · Solo

Rooms2.0

Service3.0

Safety dakha has always been a safe city.

WalkabilityAll are in walking distance.

Naznee Musarat4/55 months ago on  Google

The Hotel staff was cordial, the rooms are great on budget. Very clean and well equipped,friendly staffs. Complimentary breakfast was good too. The only drawback is that they provided us 2 towels for 4 people 😒 why would anyone share their towels?

Trip typeHoliday · Friends

Rooms4.0

Service4.0

Location5.0

Hotel highlightsGreat value

RoomsThe rooms were clean and well furnished, took family rooms with 4 and 3 person occupancy

Safetyvery safe

Food and drinkscomplimentary breakfast and tea was good enough but they are stingy about cutlery and plates, provided only 2 for 4 people

A Disappointing Stay My recent stay at The Grand Hotel BD was unfortunately far from satisfactory.  …Read more

Trip typeHoliday · Family

Rooms1.0

Service1.0

Location1.0

Mohammed4/5a month ago on  Google

Room is very basic and simple, but this is the price you pay. The staff and customer service is supper! Cancellation policy is absolutely amazing!! Unfortunately the location is very busy.

Rooms2.0

Service5.0

Location2.0

They are a dakat, rip off. They charged us double. Even though online it was written 2k, last year my parents stayed at same rate. They refused to book online and said it's Eid bazar. So we have to pay 4k. Straight away double.

I stayed there for one night. All in all it was good. Breakfast was free. But the wash room in their non AC room felt very small.Room rent is fine.

Trip typeHoliday · Couple

Rooms3.0

Service4.0

Location5.0

Hotel highlightsGreat value

šbŕ Siam4/54 weeks ago on  Google

It’s a Really good Hotel for those who love to ignore rules 😂. Had some beat memory there friendly staffs and good rooms and toilet. Best Location for low price.

Trip typeHoliday · Friends

Rooms4.0

Service5.0

Location5.0

Hotel highlightsQuiet · Great value

Md. Syduzzaman Khan1/53 months ago on  Google

This hotel doesn't comply with their commitments. In dec 24 I booked a room through booking.com from Australia and cancelled couple of hours earlier than 24 hours. They didn't refund money. I called their help desk, they said we will call  …Read...

I've had a Grand Arabian Iftar Buffet party at Radisson Blu this year and of course, it was super amazing.

The range of Iftar items in Radisson is very wide. There was so much food that though we took every single item in small quantities, we could hardly take the dinner later! Starting from Dammam and Arabian spicy items ( I forgot the names of many... 😅), there were wonderful Turkish and Arabian desert items, which I never even saw in my life. Their taste were celestial!! In dinner, they provided Whole Lamb Turkish Biriyani, Ramens, a wide variety of salads; chinese items like Fried Rice and common Chinese Salads and Chilli Chicken. But above all these, the Arabian buffet Iftar and dinner simply touched my heart!

I must mention about their deserts separately. They were amazing! Many of them were new ones, which I tasted for the first time in my life going to Radisson. The drinks were superb too. The food items were outstanding if I sum up all.

Now about the environment; man! What do you expect from Radisson? They'd provide you with the worst dining environment which you'd never gonna forget in your entire life? OF COURSE NAH!! The environment was fantastic. After the Azan, the hall as a whole went to total silent mode. The staffs were super helpful and jolly minded as well. They were very much happy to serve us. I'm an egg lover. So, when I asked for an egg while taking Whole Lamb Biriyani, the service man gave a huge smile and then provided me an egg and asked if I needed more. Its a rare scenario in Bangladesh, of course.

As I didn't go inside the hotel beyond the dining hall, I don't know about the rooms. But certainly, it'd not be an exaggeration if I give 5 or even 10 star to the room condition. Come on!! Its Radisson my friends!! And I highly recommend Radisson Blu to the foreigners who want to stay in Dhaka maintaining a good standard. I can assure, it wouldn't upset you.🤗

The parking space is also fine. Its wheel-chair accessable and beautiful as well.

In total, Radisson Blu is best for both having a buffet party or staycation, if you slightly want to have a royal experience for an hour or two.

More Infos: You'll get discount if you're a VISA Platinum Card Holder. Contact the hotel for more infos about discounts and facilities that special card holders are entitled to.

(Its a pity for me that I don't have the photos with me right now 🙁. But If I get, I'll upload them In Sha Allah! 😊)

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