Female reserving hotel in Dhaka, Bangladesh

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niamh00
niamh00

Hi,

I'm a solo-female traveller, planning to visit Bangladesh in February 2013. It will be my first visit to the county. I've searched the forum and can't see anything about my main query which is accommodation in Dhaka. I tried calling Hotel Ramna to make a reservation as my visa application form indicates I need to list where I'll be staying upon arrival. However, the hotel told me to call back the day before my planned arrival date and wouldn't make a reservation for me. I understand it's quite in advance but I'd like to have accommodation for my arrival organised before leaving, and need to apply for my visa this month because I need my passport for other visa applications and travel plans. Has anyone experienced anything similar or does anyone have advice? Perhaps I should just keep calling different hotels until I find one??

Secondly, I'm wondering if anyone has advice on what guidebook would be most useful for my trip? I've seen posts on this forum that rate the Bradt guidebook for Bangladesh over LP but I've never used them so I'm not sure which to go with.

Thanks for your help!

Niamh

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nijkerk
nijkerk

Well, yes , of course! Book a different one..

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tranceybowler
tranceybowler

If you really want to book in advance you will probably have to go more upmarket or perhaps reserve a room at Hotel Pacific who take reservations (although people report that generally you pay above average for the room at this place given the standard). There are lots of mid-range options in Gulshan area but you may not want to stay there as it can take a long time (>1.5 hours) to reach Old Dhaka.

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tranceybowler
tranceybowler

By the way, if it's only for a visa form I suspect you can put any hotel in Dhaka, they won't check.

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tranceybowler
tranceybowler

I used the new Bradt guide and found it useful. I met someone who had an electronic copy of the brand new LP but he didn't rate it.

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anonymous
anonymous

usually such budget hotels do not take advance reservation. Only Hotel pacific send the reservation confirmation. So, my suggestions are :

  • Dont take prior visa and take VOA which is very easy and no question of hotel reservation (Only possible if u arrive by air)

or

  • Write to Hotel Pacific and they will send reservation letter.

If you increase the budget to USD 30-40/night, I can recommend some more hotels who send reservation confirmation.

Guidebook : Off course LP Latest edition (7th edition) . This edition came out just 5 days ago so information is updated. also this edition is much informative than earlier one. So, buy LP guidebook without any hgesitation.

Mahmud

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chuckles
chuckles

I believe you can put down any hotel name, no proof is needed. But if proof is needed, go to any internet booking service (such as travelocity.com), book a hotel, print out the confirmation, then cancel the reservation immediately. (Or if you are really worried about this, cancel after you get the visa.)

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LoneRunner
LoneRunner

Whether I applied for a visa in my home country or I took VOA, Immigration Officers in BD never bothered to verify with the said hotel. Put a name of a common hotel so that they will easily recognize the name !

LR

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noasmum
noasmum

I also had this problem and felt really frustrated as I never had this problem during 8 trips to India. But it appears Bangladesh very different. Mahmud is right -in the end I had to go with hotel pacific. Maybe this is why the hotel is popular - pre booking available. My big problem is that my passports have been away 3 weeks and I need to leave my remote desert town in a week to drive to Melbourne which is a 3.5 day trip. I'm so worried they won't arrive. I have trid to contact the high commission online but no answer. I guess I will need to ring again...

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anonymous
anonymous

I suggest you to stay near Intl. Airport. Reasons- Easy Communication, Less Traffic jam, Less Crowd, It's a model town, Safe Accommodation, Cheap but standard hotel / BNB than other area.

Hotels- City Homes, De Meridian, Milina, Marino, Syl-com etc etc.

CityHomes is the lonely planet / trip adviser rated hotel. Actually all the mentioned hotels will reply your booking confirmation.

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