found this online..regarding bd

and i wouldnt worry about the extra money - i was on a budget too, but i found the extra few bucks tremendous value in terms of dhaka hotels./

I respect your opinion fortymilliondaggers but how is gulshan/banani area far better than central dhaka for a tourist ?

I travel to see the country as it is ! I like to see, smell and feel the local+ and if I want to stay in +posh areas then I will go to Europe, the US or Malaysia... But this is Bangladesh !

My opinion ....

LR

I think you are missing the point LoneRunner, there are many different tourists out there, some will want to stay in $2/night places & others will want something a bit more comfortable. No matter what level they travel at, they are all tourists!

Your comments imply that you consider an authentic Bangladeshi experience can only involve peasants or slave labourers & that Gulshan/Banani isn't the real Bangladesh. If I were Bangladeshi I would find your comments patronising & offensive... Bangladesh is a hard working developing nation & through those efforts deserve whatever spoils come their way... to have middle class suburbs like Gulshan/Banani etc. is a sign that those efforts have been successful.

Your comments imply that you consider an authentic Bangladeshi experience can only involve peasants or slave labourers ...

I dont see where I wrote these words or that idea ! These are your words not mine ! Read my post again !

Bangladesh has its specifications ! Every country has its own reality, way of living and culture ! When I go to BD I want to feel the real Bangladesh ! I want to feel the change !

I dont know if you understand this feeling, if not I dont see why you would choose to visit Bangladesh !

LR

No need to rub your nose in it all day every day to experience the real Bangladesh.

Solo female may wish to stay in Gulshan/Banani - more liberal attitudes than the rest of the country. Then again, solo females may wish to steer clear of the whole country, but that's a whole other topic.

Bangladesh, like any other place in the world has multiple facets to it. Hence, there are different social classes like anywhere else...I do not think, it is 'unreal' Bangladesh, just because the vicinity is affluent. There is widespread inequality and yes, most of the rich are probably corrupt and exploit the have nots. Having said that, it certainly does not imply that every single individual who reside there, fall under such negative category. On the other hand, there may be a handful of luxurious homes located in other, not so affluent areas, but are equally grand as those ones in the aforementioned areas.

Some travellers might opt for the extra comfort and choose such areas, there is nothing wrong with that. At the same time, one can travel all around the country and draw a contrast of the different lifestyles that coexist in Bangladesh.

Enjoy your stay there, everyone!