Your stay — Ripon's House
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The Property — Ripon's House
A calm, colonial-era building in Old Dhaka, Ripon's House trades glossy modernism for cracked teak floors and a veranda that overlooks a busy lane. The lobby smells of old paper and jasmine—there's a worn sofa, a ceiling fan, and a man at the desk who knows the neighbourhood's backstreets. It suits travellers who want character over convenience and a genuine sense of Dhaka's 17th-century Mughal past.
Chronicles of Dhaka
Dhaka began as a Mughal provincial capital in the 1600s, when it was known as Jahangirnagar and became a centre for muslin and river trade. British rule refashioned it into a colonial administrative hub, leaving behind neoclassical buildings and a grid of narrow alleys. After Partition in 1947, it swelled with refugees, and the 1971 Liberation War cemented its identity as Bangladesh's fiercely independent capital. Today, its architecture is a chaotic palimpsest: Mughal mosques, British-era bungalows, concrete high-rises and vast informal markets all jostle for space. Culturally, it's a city of literature, rickshaw art and heated political debate, where chai stalls and street food define daily life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dhaka guide →Best months
November to February: dry, mild and clear with average highs of 25-28°C. Best for exploring Old Dhaka's alleys and the Buriganga River without monsoon flooding or oppressive humidity.
Peak / festival surge
July is part of the southwest monsoon. Heavy rain, flooding and humidity over 80% deter most tourists. Hotel prices drop steeply because demand is minimal. Eid-ul-Adha (likely late June/early July 2026) can also reduce occupancy as locals travel, so hotels may offer deep discounts.
Budget shoulder season
March and October. March warms up fast (30-35°C) but is dry and sees moderate tourist flow—rates may be 10-15% lower than winter. October is post-monsoon, still hot but with light rain, and sites are quieter.
Weather & packing
July in Dhaka means 350-400 mm of rain and 80% humidity; flash floods are common even in central streets. Pack quick-dry trousers, a high-quality waterproof jacket, and sealed sandals or wellies—not leather shoes.
Live City Briefing — Dhaka
- The Government has expanded the Dhaka Metro Rail's MRT Line 6 into Old Dhaka (Motijheel to Kamalapur), with new stations expected to ease road congestion by mid-2026.
- Ongoing metro construction on Panthapath and Airport Road causes lane closures and traffic snarls until at least late 2026.
- July is monsoon tipping point: the Buriganga River regularly breaches its banks, and roads in Old Dhaka can become impassable during heavy downpours—carry an umbrella and check weather alerts.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ripon's House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). These floors sit above street-level noise but are still within easy reach via stairs if the lift is busy. Rooms at the rear of the building tend to be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing the street — they catch the full blast of Dhaka traffic and honking. Also steer clear of rooms directly next to the lift on any floor; the lift machinery and waiting passengers create frequent disturbance.
Best views
Street-facing rooms from the 3rd floor upwards give a genuine view of Dhaka's chaotic street life — not picturesque but undeniably authentic. Rear-facing rooms overlook neighbouring buildings and maybe a small courtyard.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are your quietest bet — high enough to escape ground-level racket but not so high that the lift becomes a major wait.
🔊 Noise notes
Dhaka's street noise is relentless — traffic horns, rickshaw bells, and the occasional call to prayer from nearby mosques. The hotel's thin 3-star windows won't block much. Pack earplugs.
Insider tips
1. Check in after 3pm to avoid the rush — early check-in isn't reliable at 3-star hotels here. 2. If you're driving, ask for a spot in the alley behind the hotel; the front street is perpetually jammed.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Ripon's House
Free basic Wi-Fi throughout hotel, speed up to 10 Mbps; a paid 'Premium' tier (250 BDT/day) gives up to 30 Mbps. Login via room number and surname.
Single lift serves all 6 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader in lobby; no physical newspapers. The building was originally a 1980s residential block, no listed heritage.
Check-in 14:00, check-out 12:00. Early bag drop available from 08:00. Late check-out until 18:00 charged 50% of room rate.
Complimentary for guests on arrival and after checkout; no charge for same-day storage up to 8 hours.
Ramp at main entrance; lifts are step-free. No adapted rooms or grab rails in bathrooms. Only ground-floor public areas are wheelchair accessible.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at Shahbagh Plaza (5 minutes walk), 100 BDT per night, no reserving. No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 15% VAT on room rate (included in online rates); no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full first-night prepayment required to confirm; at check-in, a refundable hold of 2,000 BDT for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Leather Technology Moshid (424 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Kulal Mohal Mashjid (548 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Hazrat Bahadur Shah (567 m · ~7 min walk)
- Mosque: Hazaribag Bottol Shah Mosjid (628 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Shajahan Market — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Dimitra — 861 m · ~11 min walk
Language Martyr Abul Barakat Memory Museum and Library, Museum, Polashi Mor, Zahir Raihan Rd, Dhaka — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
Hazaribagh Park Math — 633 m · ~8 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 982 m · ~12 min walk
Hazi Pharma — 824 m · ~10 min walk
Agiba Store — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Section Leguna Stand — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Bangladeshi Taka, BDT
Use authorised money changers or banks in Gulshan or Motijheel; avoid the airport counters, which offer poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted in chain restaurants, hotels, and larger shops in Banani and Gulshan; smaller stalls and rickshaws expect cash.
10% is not expected but rounding up the fare for taxi or rickshaw is polite; in restaurants, a 5-10% tip is appreciated if no service charge is added, and hotel staff get 50-100 BDT for porter service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A paper cup of coffee from a street cart or basic café costs about 30-50 BDT.
A thali (rice, dal, vegetable or fish curry) from a simple local eatery costs around 100-150 BDT.
A biryani or rice plus chicken curry main dish at a no-frills dhaba-style place costs around 150-250 BDT.
Old Dhaka's Chawk Bazaar and Shakhari Bazar are famous for paratha, dal-puri, and phuchka; also try the roadside stalls along Mirpur Road for singara and jilapi.
Shwapno, Meena Bazar, and Agora are the common budget-friendly supermarket chains in Dhaka.
New Market and Bashundhara City shopping mall offer affordable local and imported clothing; for branded stuff try the outlets in Gulshan.
The cheapest way is by rickshaw (20-50 BDT short ride); for longer distances, use a CNG auto-rickshaw (start 40 BDT) or a local bus (10-30 BDT). From the airport, take a pre-paid taxi (around 500-800 BDT) or a rickshaw to the nearest bus stop on Airport Road.
Always bargain at markets and with street vendors; drink bottled water (20 BDT) rather than ordering drinks in restaurants; eat at local tiffin shops or dhabas rather than tourist-oriented places.
Emergency Contacts
Dhaka999 is the main emergency number for police, fire, and ambulance in Dhaka. For police, you can also call 01713-373378 (Dhaka Metropolitan Police control room). The tourist police helpline is 01320-120007. Save your embassy’s number too. Triage to use the 999 system: try a local SIM if your foreign one doesn’t route calls properly.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Dhaka, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Ripon's House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 982 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Hazi Pharma — 824 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hotel Nice Look International (Moghbazar) → Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
💡 Ask reception at booking—the hotel's driver is reliable and knows the back routes. Pay in cash just before departure; they often quote 1200 BDT but haggle to 1000.
Airport Terminal 2 → Moghbazar Bus Stop (near Hotel Nice Look)
💡 Crowded and no luggage racks—fine if you have a backpack. Get off at 'Moghbazar' stop, then walk 5 minutes north on Mouchak Road. The hotel is across from the police box.
Hotel Nice Look International (Moghbazar) → Farmgate (local transit hub)
💡 For short hops within Moghbazar, use a shared CNG—less bumpy than cycle rickshaws. From Farmgate, catch a bus to Gulistan or Motijheel. Negotiate fare before boarding; 50 BDT max for this distance.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport → Hotel Nice Look International (Moghbazar)
💡 Skip airport taxis with fixed rates—book Pathao or Uber from the arrivals area. Drivers often call for directions in Bengali, so share the hotel's Bengali name or map pin. Cash is preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Ripon's House?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (if available). These floors sit above street-level noise but are still within easy reach via stairs if the lift is busy. Rooms at the rear of the building tend to be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ripon's House?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing the street — they catch the full blast of Dhaka traffic and honking. Also steer clear of rooms directly next to the lift on any floor; the lift machinery and waiting passengers create frequent disturbance.
Is Ripon's House noisy?
Dhaka's street noise is relentless — traffic horns, rickshaw bells, and the occasional call to prayer from nearby mosques. The hotel's thin 3-star windows won't block much. Pack earplugs.
Which rooms have the best views at Ripon's House?
Street-facing rooms from the 3rd floor upwards give a genuine view of Dhaka's chaotic street life — not picturesque but undeniably authentic. Rear-facing rooms overlook neighbouring buildings and maybe a small courtyard.
What are insider tips for staying at Ripon's House?
1. Check in after 3pm to avoid the rush — early check-in isn't reliable at 3-star hotels here. 2. If you're driving, ask for a spot in the alley behind the hotel; the front street is perpetually jammed.
What time is check-in at Ripon's House?
Check-in at Ripon's House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ripon's House have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi throughout hotel, speed up to 10 Mbps; a paid 'Premium' tier (250 BDT/day) gives up to 30 Mbps. Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ripon's House?
15% VAT on room rate (included in online rates); no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Ripon's House?
A thali (rice, dal, vegetable or fish curry) from a simple local eatery costs around 100-150 BDT.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ripon's House?
The cheapest way is by rickshaw (20-50 BDT short ride); for longer distances, use a CNG auto-rickshaw (start 40 BDT) or a local bus (10-30 BDT). From the airport, take a pre-paid taxi (around 500-800 BDT) or a rickshaw to the nearest bus stop on Airport Road.
When is the best time to visit Dhaka?
November to February: dry, mild and clear with average highs of 25-28°C. Best for exploring Old Dhaka's alleys and the Buriganga River without monsoon flooding or oppressive humidity.
Top Attractions in Dhaka
💡 Best visited at dawn to see the gazebo and monument in quiet light. Avoid after dark as it gets rowdy.
💡 Pop into the nearby TSC (Teacher-Student Centre) canteen for cheap chai and snacks. Watch your step—potholes are common.
💡 Bring cash—no cards accepted. The top-floor balcony has a great view of the Buriganga River, but check tide times for best photos.
💡 Visit early morning to avoid crowds and heat. The on-site museum is included in the ticket and worth a quick look.
💡 Go on a weekday for near solitude. The orchid collection is impressive for such a tiny space.