This hotel is located about 20 minutes from the airport in Gulshan. If there’s no traffic, it’s about 20 minutes north of where all the touristy sites are. I booked a hotel car from the airport for $28, and I easily found the driver after exiting customs. Unlike other hotel pickup services, a cold facecloth or bottle of water was not offered. You’ll need to pass through a metal detector at the hotel entrance, and the guards are packing Lee-Enfield rifles that predate WWII. At reception, I was greeted with a glass of cinnamon apple juice. All room types were available at the time of check-in, but when it appeared that they were going to put me into a standard room, I asked if there were any upgrades available. A quick look in the computer put me in an Executive Suite.
The Executive Suite is a generous size at the end of the hallway. It has a separate toilet near the entrance of the room, a rainfall showerhead, and more bottles of water than you can shake a stick at. The work desk is a bit cramped, and the design had me painfully bumping my legs against parts of it throughout my stay. I’m a light sleeper and could hear the call to prayer from my room, but it wasn’t loud enough to bother me, or wake me up. You can hear a little traffic, but it’s not too bad either. WiFi speeds were good, and I was using a VPN too.
As far as the Platinum amenity goes, you can have a continental breakfast in the Lounge each morning, or if you can forgo your 500 points and have breakfast in the restaurant downstairs, which is what I did. Breakfast in Tastes is pretty spectacular, with Asian, Indian, and Western food options. You can’t go wrong there. Room service prices appeared 10-20% higher than in the States.
Continental breakfast in the lounge is served from 6:30am-10:30am. Evening snacks are served from 5:30pm-7:30pm, and is one of the more impressive lounge offerings I’ve seen. Cheese, desserts, sushi, mini-sandwiches, several hot items (i.e. mushroom quiche, chicken sharwma wraps, fried calamari, chicken satay), and two types of pizza. Alcohol and soft drinks were also available. You can easily have dinner in the Lounge.
Or if you’re feeling hungrier than that, Tastes has a dinner buffet that is even more impressive. Food quality looked really high, but it wasn’t cheap. Seafood night runs 4800++BTD, and normal buffets are 4300++BTD.
The gym is packed with equipment, and opens at 6am. I was told by the front desk that if you needed access to it during closed hours, somebody will let you in. Massage prices are around 6800++BTD for 60 minutes. A hotel car will cost $18++/hour. I found a taxi outside where I negotiated what I felt was a generous 700 taka/hour.
Also, I felt the hotel’s best asset was their staff. They were all super friendly with an excellent grasp of English, remembered my name, and engaged people in meaning conversation. The service was top notch. The concierge even gave me his personal cell number in case I needed translation help while sightseeing! This is definitely one of the top SPG properties...
Read moreA Luxury Oasis in the Heart of Dhaka: My Five-Star Review of Westin Dhaka Gulshan
I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Westin Dhaka Gulshan, and honestly, it was far beyond anything I could have imagined. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was greeted with genuine warmth and impeccable service. Every aspect of my stay was designed to create an atmosphere of complete luxury and relaxation.
Here's why I'm awarding the Westin Dhaka Gulshan a perfect five stars:
Unmatched Hospitality: The staff at the Westin are truly exceptional. They are attentive, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. From helping me navigate the bustling city to arranging special requests, they made me feel like their most valued guest.
Exquisite Accommodations: My room was an oasis of comfort and elegance. It was spacious, beautifully decorated, and equipped with everything I needed for a relaxing stay. The bed was impossibly comfortable, the linens were crisp and luxurious, and the amenities were top-notch.
Culinary Delights: The food at the Westin is simply divine. From the breakfast buffet featuring an international spread to the fine dining experiences at the various restaurants, every meal was a culinary treat. The chefs are masters of their craft, and the fresh, high-quality ingredients are evident in every dish.
Unwind and Rejuvenate: The Westin Dhaka Gulshan offers a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation. The Heavenly Spa is a true sanctuary, offering a variety of treatments to soothe the mind, body, and soul. The pool and fitness center are also well-equipped, allowing you to stay active and maintain your health during your stay.
Attention to Detail: The Westin Dhaka Gulshan goes above and beyond to ensure that every detail of your stay is perfect. From the welcoming lobby to the meticulously maintained grounds, everything is pristine and reflects the hotel's commitment to excellence.
Overall, my stay at the Westin Dhaka Gulshan was an unforgettable experience. It is a hotel that truly lives up to its five-star reputation. If you're looking for a luxurious escape in the heart of Dhaka, I highly recommend the Westin Dhaka Gulshan. You won't be...
Read moreI have no idea where to begin praising the cleanliness and warm, welcoming, professional and safe environment, outstanding food and gracious people of The Westin Dhaka. It is extremely important for me, as a single foreign woman in a country where I do not speak the language or know the area to feel safe.
The Westin Dhaka staff, from the minute I stepped out of the car in the driveway, welcomed and respected me in every possible way, and made me feel safe.
I began my stay here early on the morning of 16 October, when one staff member helped me to my room with my suitcases. He was courteous, efficient, helpful and professional. What a great way to start what has become a memorable and pleasant six-week visit here.
The next day, I had some small issues with my room because the beds were pushed together, leaving the bedside drawer, clock, lamps and outlet inaccessible to me. I also needed a small extra table so I could set up the coffee kettle and coffee press. The refrigerator also was not cooling properly. I mentioned this to the people who came to clean.
Within 15 minutes, another small table was delivered, the bedside drawer and beds were moved so I could access the electrical outlet and clock, and set up the kettle and coffee plunger (French press). The refrigerator was repaired and the air conditioning filter was replaced.
Since then, every single person with whom I have come in contact, even passing in the hall, has greeted me, asked how my day was and asked if I needed anything in the room. Staff members have walked over to press the elevator call button for me when my hands were full.
The second day I arrived, I learned that one of my internet accounts had been hacked. I used the business center with utmost confidence that the computers, and other equipment there worked flawlessly.
Since I am working out of my hotel room, staff members always have been available to assist me print and scan documents. Living in and working from a hotel could be a stifling experience. The Westin staff have made it an adventure for me.
There is not enough room in this space for me to include all the things I want to write. I will prepare a more detailed letter that I will send directly to...
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