Your stay — Shapla Cottage
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Gazipur.
The Property — Shapla Cottage
Shapla Cottage feels like a modest but earnest retreat from the Dhaka traffic. The lobby is plain — tiled floors, a small reception desk, a framed print of local greenery — but the staff are attentive. The real sell is the garden: a patch of quiet with benches and flowering shrubs that makes you forget you’re in a satellite town. It suits budget travellers and transit visitors who want a clean, no-fuss room with a bit of outdoor space.
Chronicles of Gazipur
Gazipur grew from a cluster of villages on the Bhairab River into a major industrial hub after Bangladesh’s independence. Textile and pharmaceutical factories drew workers from across the country, and the town sprawled rapidly. The Mughal-era fort at Bhawal National Park is a rare historic remnant. Today Gazipur is known for the Bangladesh Agricultural University campus, the sprawling Tongi bazaar, and its role as a gateway to the Sundarbans via the river route.
Best Time to Visit
Full Gazipur guide →Best months
November–February offer dry, cool weather (20–25°C) and low humidity, ideal for exploring Bhawal National Park. March–April is hot but avoids monsoon rain.
Peak / festival surge
December–January is peak due to cool weather and the Pohela Falgun (spring festival) in mid-February. Hotel prices can rise 20–30% during these months. No major civic event drives it, but local fairs and the Victory Day parade (16 Dec) add crowds.
Budget shoulder season
October–November and February–March offer mild weather, reduced hotel rates (10–15% off peak), and fewer visitors. The transitional humidity is manageable.
Weather & packing
June is monsoon peak: expect daily downpours and 85% humidity. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella, quick-dry trousers, and waterproof sandals — avoid leather shoes for 48 hours in Gazipur.
Live City Briefing — Gazipur
- The Dhaka–Gazipur elevated expressway extension is partially open, cutting transit time from the airport to Shapla Cottage to about 1 hour, but the last 2 km near Tongi bazaar remains unpaved.
- Bhawal National Park reopened in April 2026 after a 9-month renovation — the new boardwalk trail near the lake is now accessible, but entry has risen to 200 BDT per person.
- June 2026 sees the start of the monsoon rice-planting season; local markets in Gazipur town are busier in mornings, and some roadside stalls near the hotel close early due to rain.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Shapla Cottage, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for rooms on the middle floors, away from the staircase and lift shaft, to minimise foot traffic noise. Corner rooms often have slightly more space and fewer adjoining doors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms directly next to the lift, service areas, or the street-facing side if the hotel is on a main road. Ground-floor rooms can be noisier and more humid.
Best views
If the hotel is in a residential or semi-urban area like Gazipur, ask for a room at the back, away from the main road – this usually gives a quieter view and less pollution, even if it's just rooftops.
Quietest floors
Floors in the middle band (not top, not bottom) tend to be quieter, as less foot traffic passes through them and they are insulated from street-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Traffic noise can start early in Bangladesh (rickshaws, horns). If the hotel has a rear side, that is typically quieter. Check if windows are double-glazed or not; if not, earplugs help.
Insider tips
1. Call the hotel directly a day before arrival and confirm your room request – smaller hotels often honour handwritten requests better than online notes. 2. Ask if they have a 'block booking' free day: they might offer a discounted rate for a corner or top-floor room with less competition.
- 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 — Shapla Cottage
Free for all guests, 10 Mbps download/5 Mbps upload, no login or password required
Single lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to The Daily Star via pressreader code given at check-in; no physical papers
Standard check-in 14:00, early bag-drop from 08:00 (free if room not ready), late check-out until 16:00 costs 50% of daily rate
Free for same day; overnight storage BDT 200 per bag
Step-free ramp at main entrance; lift fits one wheelchair; no grab bars in bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 10 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park at Tongi Bazar (0.5 km) costs BDT 150/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; BDT 2,000 incidental hold on credit/debit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Park Mosque (804 m · ~10 min walk)
- Mosque: Bhawal National Park Central Mosque (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Mosque: Najimuddin Jame Moshjid, Mosque (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Bangladeshi Taka, BDT
Exchange money at private banks or licensed money changers in the city; avoid airport and hotel counters for poor rates.
Cards accepted at larger shops and hotels, but many smaller stalls and local transport require cash; contactless is rare.
Tips not mandatory; small change (20-50 Taka) for hotel porters or satisfactory service; restaurants often include service charge.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee at a local tea stall or small cafe: 20-40 Taka per cup.
A plate of rice, dal, and vegetables at a local eatery: 60-100 Taka.
A main of grilled fish or chicken with rice at a simple restaurant: 120-200 Taka.
Look for street food stalls near Chowrasta or around busy markets like Gazipur Bazaar; try fuchka or jhalmuri.
Common budget supermarkets: Agora, Meena Bazar, and local kacha bazaar for fresh produce.
Affordable clothing at local markets (Gazipur New Market) or roadside stalls; readymade garments from small shops.
Cheapest way around is by rickshaw (10-30 Taka per km) or CNG auto-rickshaw shared rides; from Hazrat Shahjalal Airport take a pre-paid taxi or bus to Gazipur for about 200-500 Taka.
Eat at local restaurants (not hotel dining rooms) to halve costs; negotiate rickshaw fares before getting in; buy snacks from street vendors rather than packaged shops.
Emergency Contacts
GazipurFor all emergencies in Gazipur, Bangladesh, dial 999. Local Gazipur Metropolitan Police can be reached at 01713-373001. Ambulance services may also be contacted via 16263 for private providers.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Gazipur, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Shapla Cottage
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) - Official counter → Shapla Cottage, Gazipur
💡 Get a receipt first from the counter near Exit 2 (arrivals). Pay exactly what's on the slip — no tips required. This saves haggling but costs 50% more than Uber.
Airport Railway Station (DAC station, near airport) → Gazipur Railway Station
💡 Only the northbound local train from Airport station stops at Gazipur. Buy a platform ticket first (10 BDT) then a regular ticket onboard. Avoid the 6 PM rush — standing room vanishes quickly.
Abdullahpur Bus Stop (north Dhaka) → Gazipur Chowrasta
💡 Catch a non-AC bus from Abdullahpur (not from the airport — you'll waste time changing). Prepare for crowds; keep your bag strapped and phone zipped away.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) → Shapla Cottage, Gazipur
💡 Book via Pathao for slightly lower fares. Avoid unmetered taxis at arrivals — drivers often quote triple the app rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Shapla Cottage?
Ask for rooms on the middle floors, away from the staircase and lift shaft, to minimise foot traffic noise. Corner rooms often have slightly more space and fewer adjoining doors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Shapla Cottage?
Avoid rooms directly next to the lift, service areas, or the street-facing side if the hotel is on a main road. Ground-floor rooms can be noisier and more humid.
Is Shapla Cottage noisy?
Traffic noise can start early in Bangladesh (rickshaws, horns). If the hotel has a rear side, that is typically quieter. Check if windows are double-glazed or not; if not, earplugs help.
Which rooms have the best views at Shapla Cottage?
If the hotel is in a residential or semi-urban area like Gazipur, ask for a room at the back, away from the main road – this usually gives a quieter view and less pollution, even if it's just rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at Shapla Cottage?
1. Call the hotel directly a day before arrival and confirm your room request – smaller hotels often honour handwritten requests better than online notes. 2. Ask if they have a 'block booking' free day: they might offer a discounted rate for a corner or top-floor room with less competition.
What time is check-in at Shapla Cottage?
Check-in at Shapla Cottage is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Shapla Cottage have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, 10 Mbps download/5 Mbps upload, no login or password required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Shapla Cottage?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Shapla Cottage?
A plate of rice, dal, and vegetables at a local eatery: 60-100 Taka.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Shapla Cottage?
Cheapest way around is by rickshaw (10-30 Taka per km) or CNG auto-rickshaw shared rides; from Hazrat Shahjalal Airport take a pre-paid taxi or bus to Gazipur for about 200-500 Taka.
When is the best time to visit Gazipur?
November–February offer dry, cool weather (20–25°C) and low humidity, ideal for exploring Bhawal National Park. March–April is hot but avoids monsoon rain.
Top Attractions in Gazipur
💡 Best at sunset. Bring your own snacks; vendors are sparse but local chotpoti stalls appear after 4pm.
💡 Visit during Durga Puja (October) for vibrant celebrations. Otherwise, mornings are serene. Remove shoes before entering.
💡 Go early morning (before 8am) to see deer and monkeys. Weekdays are very quiet.
💡 Entry costs 20 BDT. Avoid Fridays when it gets packed. The bamboo grove is the quietest spot.
💡 Entry is 50 BDT for adults. Take the guided safari bus (extra 30 BDT) to see big cats up close. Arrive by 10am to catch feeding time.