Furnished Apartment Rent in Dhaka: Complete Guide to Pricing, Locations & Booking

1. Why Rent a Furnished Apartment in Dhaka?

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and home to over 22 million people, is one of the fastest-growing cities in South Asia. As international businesses, NGOs, and diplomatic missions continue to expand their presence in Bangladesh, the demand for quality furnished accommodation has surged dramatically.

A furnished apartment offers something that hotels simply cannot: the space, privacy, and facilities of a real home combined with professional services. Instead of a cramped 250 sqft hotel room, you get 900 to 2,400 sqft of living space with separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, living room, and dining area. For stays longer than a few nights, this difference transforms your entire experience.

The economics make sense too. A quality furnished apartment in Baridhara DOHS starts from just BDT 7,000 per night (approximately $65 USD), which is 30-40% cheaper than a comparable hotel room in Gulshan or Banani. When you add the savings from cooking your own meals instead of eating at hotel restaurants three times a day, the financial advantage becomes even clearer.

Key advantages of renting a furnished apartment in Dhaka:

• 3 to 10 times more space than an equivalent-cost hotel room
• Full kitchen with gas stove, refrigerator, microwave, and cookware for preparing home-cooked meals
• Separate bedrooms providing genuine privacy for families and groups
• Flexible rental terms -- rent by the night, week, or month without rigid lease contracts
• All-inclusive pricing with WiFi, utilities, housekeeping, and linen changes included
• Home-like comfort that reduces the stress of living in a foreign city

2. Best Locations for Furnished Apartments in Dhaka

Not all areas in Dhaka are equally suitable for renting a furnished apartment, especially if you are a foreigner or require a high level of security. Here are the top neighborhoods, ranked by safety, convenience, and quality of available accommodation:

Baridhara DOHS -- The Safest Choice

Baridhara DOHS (Defence Officers Housing Society) is widely considered the safest residential area in Dhaka. This military-administered compound features 24/7 armed guards at every entry point, CCTV surveillance throughout, and strictly controlled vehicle access. The area is home to many senior military officers, diplomats, and international professionals.

Located in the northeastern part of Dhaka, Baridhara DOHS offers excellent connectivity: it is just 10 minutes from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, 5 minutes from the Gulshan diplomatic zone, and 8 minutes from Banani's commercial district. International embassies, UN offices, hospitals, and shopping malls are all within easy reach.

Babylon Hotel & Serviced Apartment is located at 319 Eastern Road, Baridhara DOHS, and has been providing furnished apartments here since 2007, serving over 1,000 guests annually from more than 40 countries.

Gulshan -- The Commercial Hub

Gulshan is Dhaka's premier commercial and diplomatic district. It houses most foreign embassies, international organizations, multinational corporate offices, and high-end restaurants and shopping centers. Furnished apartments in Gulshan tend to be more expensive (often 50-80% more than Baridhara DOHS) and are usually in older buildings with less security. Traffic congestion can also be a significant issue, especially during office hours.

Banani -- The Modern District

Banani is a popular residential and commercial area known for its restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. While it offers a vibrant lifestyle, the security infrastructure is less robust than Baridhara DOHS, and the area experiences significant traffic congestion. Furnished apartment options exist but vary widely in quality.

Baridhara -- The Diplomatic Zone

Not to be confused with Baridhara DOHS, Baridhara is a separate residential area adjacent to the DOHS compound. It has a more relaxed atmosphere and hosts several embassies and diplomatic residences. While not as secure as the DOHS compound, it still offers a relatively safe environment for foreign residents.

3. Furnished Apartment Pricing in Dhaka (2025 Updated)

Furnished apartment prices in Dhaka vary significantly based on location, apartment size, amenities, and rental duration. Here is a comprehensive pricing comparison:

Monthly rental discounts: Most furnished apartment providers, including Babylon, offer significant discounts for monthly stays. Contact the property directly for customized monthly rates, as these can be 20-30% lower than the nightly rate multiplied by 30.

How does this compare to Gulshan? A similar 2-bedroom furnished apartment in Gulshan typically costs BDT 12,000 to BDT 18,000 per night. A 3-bedroom in Gulshan can run BDT 20,000 to BDT 30,000 per night. The savings from choosing Baridhara DOHS over Gulshan can be substantial, especially for extended stays.

4. What's Included in a Quality Furnished Apartment?

Not all "furnished apartments" are created equal. When evaluating options, ensure the following essentials are included in the rental price:

Furniture & Appliances

• Quality mattresses and bed frames in every bedroom
• Wardrobes, dressing tables, and bedside tables
• Living room sofa set, coffee table, and TV unit
• Dining table and chairs
• 32" LED TV with 85+ satellite channels
• Split AC in every room

Kitchen Equipment

• Gas stove with oven
• Full-size refrigerator and freezer
• Microwave oven
• Rice cooker and electric kettle
• Complete cookware, utensils, plates, and glasses

Services (Should Be Included)

• High-speed WiFi internet
• Daily housekeeping and cleaning
• Fresh bed linen and towel changes
• Hotel-grade toiletries
• All utility bills (electricity, gas, water)
• Electronic safe box

5. Furnished Apartment vs Hotel: Which Should You Choose?

This is the most common question we hear from travelers visiting Dhaka. The answer depends on your length of stay, budget, and personal preferences:

Choose a hotel room if: You are staying for 1-2 nights, you do not need cooking facilities, and you prefer the traditional hotel lobby/restaurant experience. Our hotel rooms at Babylon start from just BDT 3,500/night ($32 USD).

Choose a furnished apartment if: You are staying for 3 or more nights, you want cooking facilities, you are traveling with family or a group, you need more than one bedroom, or you want genuine privacy and space. Our furnished apartments start from BDT 7,000/night ($65 USD).

For extended stays of 2 weeks or more, a furnished apartment is almost always the better choice, both financially and in terms of quality of life. Cooking your own meals, having a living room to relax in, and the ability to spread out across multiple rooms makes a significant difference to your well-being over time.

6. Who Should Rent a Furnished Apartment in Dhaka?

Based on our 18 years of experience hosting guests from over 40 countries, here are the most common groups who benefit from furnished apartments:

• Expats & Diplomats: Newly posted staff who need comfortable accommodation while searching for permanent housing. Many stay 1-3 months in our furnished apartments before moving to their own place.
• Business Travelers: Professionals on extended assignments in Dhaka's garment, IT, or banking sectors. The kitchen and separate workspace make long trips much more manageable.
• Families Relocating: Families moving to Dhaka who need a safe, spacious temporary home. Our 3 and 4 bedroom apartments accommodate up to 10 people comfortably.
• Medical Visitors: Patients and their families visiting Dhaka's hospitals for treatment. The kitchen facilities allow for special dietary preparation, and the spacious apartments give caregivers room to stay alongside patients.
• NGO & Development Workers: Staff from international organizations like the UN, World Bank, USAID, and various NGOs posted to Bangladesh on short to medium-term assignments.
• Tourists on Extended Visits: Travelers who want to explore Bangladesh thoroughly and prefer a home base in Dhaka between excursions to Cox's Bazar, Sundarbans, and other destinations.

7. How to Book a Furnished Apartment in Dhaka

Step 1: Decide on Your Requirements

Determine the number of bedrooms, your preferred location, length of stay, and budget. If you are unsure, providers like Babylon can help recommend the right apartment based on your needs.

Step 2: Contact the Property Directly

While booking platforms like Airbnb exist in Dhaka, you will often get better rates and more flexibility by contacting the property directly. At Babylon, you can reach us via WhatsApp (+880 1974 225555), phone, or email.

Step 3: Request a Virtual Tour or Photos

Reputable furnished apartment providers will happily share recent photos or conduct a video call to show you the apartment. This is especially important if you are booking from abroad.

Step 4: Confirm Inclusions

Before booking, confirm exactly what is included in the price: WiFi, utilities, housekeeping frequency, linen changes, and any extra fees for airport pickup or laundry.

Step 5: Arrange Airport Transfer

Most furnished apartment providers offer airport pickup services. Having someone meet you at Hazrat Shahjalal Airport with a name board makes your arrival in Dhaka much smoother, especially for first-time visitors.

8. Frequently Asked Questions