Dhaka – Westin Lobby, originally uploaded by Mikey Leung.

Behind Bangladesh’s world image of floods, poverty and disaster, there is a quiet revolution happening, one that is actually driving Bangladesh forward in a very positive way: it is purely economic one. Why else would the powers that be open new five star hotels in country supposedly “mired in poverty?”

The Westin is Dhaka’s newest five star property, located in the heart of Gulshan, had its soft opening on July 1st. I’ve heard that this hotel has been a long time in the works—I read on the Starwood Hotel Group’s website that the Westin was scheduled to open some time in 2006, but I can imagine that Bangladesh’s continuous spate of hartals, protests and political instabilities slowed things down immeasurably. I went in last week for a look as I’ve started checking out hotels all over Bangladesh.

In short, it was like stepping onto Mars.

Outside, it was a steamy monsoonal day. Despite light rains the temperature was still high, and beads of sweat were forming inside my rain coat as I made colourful images of garment workers—mostly women—picking their way through the puddles on their way to Gulshan’s garment factories.

Inside, the moment I stepped in to the hotel, I forgot I was in Dhaka.

Every single staff person, ranging from the outside security guards to the upstairs receptionists issued an enthusiastic “Good Morning!” as I stood gazing at the plush furnishings and contemplated the padded carpet underneath my feet. Everything about the experience was managed: perfect air conditioned temperatures. Chic jazz music at an unobtrusive volume. A wonderfully stocked cafe stocked with luxuries such as smoked salmon and French bread (drool). All the associated prices to match. It could have blown a shotgun-sized hole in my pocket if I lingered. The rack rate for a standard room: $300 US. Ouch.

Over the last few years, Bangladesh has posted 5-6% GDP growth rates, and with a GDP over $336.7 billion in 2006, this little country is no small fry, economically (for comparison, Canada’s is $1.178 trillion, Australia is $674.6 billion). Nonetheless, the country still remains deeply mired in poverty, and natural disasters are not the main cause of their woes. No, systemic and deeply rooted corruption are to blame for the country’s extraordinary economic disparities, in which its former politicians have fed cannibalistically on the coffers of the nation.

But for now.. interesting things are happening.. like new five-star hotels!