Short answer: for stays beyond about three weeks in Dhaka, a serviced apartment costs roughly a quarter to a third of an equivalent hotel stay, with far more space, a full kitchen and a washing machine. For stays under three weeks, or when plans may change at short notice, a hotel is usually simpler.
Choosing between a serviced apartment and a hotel in Dhaka is mainly a question of how long you are staying and who is coming with you. For a short business trip, a hotel's daily service and flexibility make sense. For an assignment of a month or more, the numbers tilt sharply towards a serviced apartment. This guide works through the real cost comparison, what is usually included, and when each option wins.
Is a serviced apartment cheaper than a hotel in Dhaka?
Yes, for any stay longer than about three weeks. The comparison below uses indicative figures for Gulshan and Banani.
| 4-star hotel room | Serviced apartment (2–3 bedrooms) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | USD 110–150 per night | BDT 100,000–150,000 per month |
| Cost for 30 nights | ≈ USD 3,300–4,500 | ≈ USD 850–1,300 |
| Space | 28–40 m² | 120–230 m² |
| Kitchen | Kettle, minibar | Full fitted kitchen |
| Laundry | Per-item charge | In-unit washing machine |
| Housekeeping | Daily | Weekly or daily |
| Utilities and internet | Included | Normally included |
| Suitable for a family | Poor | Designed for it |
| Invoice for expenses | Yes | Yes |
Indicative figures for Gulshan and Banani, 2026-09-21. USD conversions are approximate and move with the exchange rate.
How much do serviced apartments cost in our current listings?
Serviced and short-stay apartments we currently list in Dhaka include:
| Area | Size | Monthly rent (BDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Bashundhara R/A | Furnished one-bedroom, 300–325 sq ft | 35,000–45,000 |
| Mohammadpur | Fully furnished three-bedroom, 2,000 sq ft | 100,000 |
| Uttara | Three-bedroom, 1,800 sq ft | 100,000 |
| Niketon (Gulshan-1) | Four-bedroom, 2,000 sq ft | 100,000 |
| Bashundhara R/A | Furnished three-bedroom, 2,000 sq ft | 110,000 |
| Banani | Three-bedroom, 2,400 sq ft | 130,000–200,000 |
| Baridhara | Three-bedroom, 3,000 sq ft | 300,000 |
What is bundled into the price differs by property, so we confirm the inclusions for each one in writing. For wider rent levels, see our Dhaka apartment rent price guide.
What is included in a Dhaka serviced apartment?
A serviced apartment normally bundles the following into one monthly invoice:
- furniture, linen and towels;
- a fitted kitchen with cooker, fridge and basic cookware;
- a washing machine;
- air-conditioning in bedrooms and living areas;
- high-speed internet;
- back-up generator;
- housekeeping, weekly or daily;
- utilities: electricity, gas and water.
Airport pick-up from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and help with SIM registration are commonly offered — ask when you book. Our serviced apartments service explains exactly how ours work.
How much can you save on a longer assignment?
Using the indicative monthly figures above, the gap widens quickly:
| Length of stay | 4-star hotel | Serviced apartment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | ≈ USD 3,300–4,500 | ≈ USD 850–1,300 |
| 3 months | ≈ USD 9,900–13,500 | ≈ USD 2,550–3,900 |
| 6 months | ≈ USD 19,800–27,000 | ≈ USD 5,100–7,800 |
On a six-month posting, the saving is typically USD 12,000–20,000 per person. Hotel meals, laundry and room-service charges usually widen the gap further, because in an apartment you can cook and wash at home.
When does the hotel still win?
- Stays under three weeks.
- Single travellers who genuinely want daily service and no domestic responsibility.
- Trips where the itinerary may change at 48 hours' notice.
- Visits built around conferences or events held in the hotel itself.
Serviced apartments run on monthly agreements, so they reward commitment. If your dates are uncertain, a hotel's nightly rate buys flexibility.
Hotels also bundle facilities that most apartment buildings do not have: restaurants on site, a pool and gym, meeting rooms, a business centre and a 24-hour front desk. If you will host meetings or rarely be at home, those facilities may matter more than space.
When does the apartment win decisively?
- Assignments of a month or longer.
- Anyone arriving with a partner or children, who need separate bedrooms and a place to eat together.
- Anyone who cooks, has dietary needs or simply wants a normal routine.
- Employers managing a housing budget across several staff.
- New arrivals who want a base for the first weeks while they look for a long-term flat.
Is a serviced apartment a good first base when moving to Dhaka?
Often, yes. Many families spend their first one to three months in a serviced apartment in Banani or Gulshan while they learn the city, visit schools and choose a long-term home without pressure. Because the flat is already furnished and connected, you can work from the first day. When you are ready, you move once, into the right place, rather than signing a two-year lease in a hurry.
What is daily life like in a serviced apartment?
The biggest difference is routine. In an apartment you can cook breakfast, keep your own groceries, work at a proper desk in a quiet room and have colleagues or family over without booking a restaurant. Children have space to play and sleep in their own rooms. Food delivery services cover most of Gulshan, Banani and Bashundhara, so you are never far from a meal when you do not want to cook.
Security is handled at building level: guards at the gate, controlled entry and, in most of the buildings we list, CCTV and intercoms. Housekeeping keeps the flat in order, and maintenance issues go to a single contact rather than a hotel front desk.
Which area should you stay in?
- Gulshan and Niketon — central, close to embassies and corporate offices; the natural choice for most business travellers.
- Banani — walkable, with many cafés and restaurants; popular with longer-stay professionals and families.
- Baridhara — the quietest and most secure option, suited to diplomatic staff.
- Bashundhara R/A — the best value, with one-bedroom units for solo stays.
- Uttara — close to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, useful for frequent flyers.
Serviced apartment or furnished flat on a lease?
If you know you will stay a year or more, a fully furnished flat on a standard lease is usually cheaper again, because the monthly rent does not include housekeeping and utilities. The trade-off is more paperwork: a deposit, utility accounts in your name and an internet contract. Many people start in a serviced apartment and move to a furnished lease once their plans are clear. You can compare both on our properties page.
How do serviced apartments work for HR and relocation managers?
For organisations, the practical advantages go beyond price. One monthly invoice covers rent, utilities and housekeeping, which makes budgeting and expense approval simpler. Several staff can be housed in the same building or area, and a single point of contact handles maintenance and changes. For rotating teams, a flat can pass from one staff member to the next without a new lease each time. Our corporate relocation service can combine serviced housing with longer-term searches for staff who stay on.
Can a serviced apartment meet an employer's security standard?
Often, yes, but check before you book. Embassies, UN agencies and many international employers have their own housing criteria, such as a guarded entrance, controlled access, working fire exits, generator back-up and window or door locks. Share your organisation's checklist with us at the start and we will shortlist only buildings that match it, and arrange an inspection by your security team where required.
What should you check before booking?
- Exactly which utilities and services are included, and any usage caps.
- Generator coverage — does it run the air-conditioning?
- Internet speed and whether there is a back-up connection.
- Housekeeping frequency and what it covers.
- Security: guards, controlled entry and CCTV.
- The notice period and what happens if you leave early.
- How maintenance requests are handled and how quickly.
What else should you budget for?
Even when rent, utilities and housekeeping are bundled, a few costs sit outside the monthly figure: groceries and meals, local transport or a car and driver, mobile data, and any electricity above an agreed cap. A refundable deposit may also be requested for longer stays. Ask for these in writing so your expense claim or housing allowance covers the whole picture, not just the rent.
How far ahead should you book?
Availability changes week to week, so there is no fixed rule. For a specific area or building, or for a family needing three bedrooms, contacting us three to four weeks before arrival usually gives a good choice. Last-minute requests are often possible too, especially if you are flexible on area.
What is the minimum stay?
One month is the standard minimum for serviced apartments in Dhaka. Shorter stays are occasionally possible at a premium, but below three weeks a hotel usually remains the more practical option. For stays of several months up to a year, read our guide to short-term furnished rentals in Dhaka.
How do you book a serviced apartment with Rent Property?
- Send us your dates, number of guests, preferred area and budget.
- We reply with available apartments, photographs we have taken ourselves and a written list of inclusions.
- We arrange a viewing, or a live video walkthrough if you are still abroad.
- You confirm, sign a short agreement and pay as agreed.
- We hand over the flat with an inventory and stay your single point of contact during the stay.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Send us your dates, number of guests, preferred area and budget, and we will reply with available serviced apartments and exactly what each price includes. Message Rent Property on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255 — we usually reply within one working day, Saturday to Thursday, 9:00–19:00.