Best Holdings Ltd is set to open the first five-star hotel in Bangladesh's industrial belt by June 2026, introducing luxury hospitality to Bhaluka in Mymensingh district.

In a move poised to redefine the landscape of Bangladesh's industrial and hospitality sectors, the company is developing a five-star business hotel in Mawna Hobirbari, under Bhaluka upazila -- a rapidly expanding industrial hub just 60 kilometres north of Dhaka and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).

"This hotel is a bridge between industrial efficiency and five-star luxury," said Md Abul Kalam Azad, company secretary of Best Holdings Ltd.

"We are not just offering accommodation—we're elevating the way business is conducted in Bangladesh's next-generation industrial zones," he said.

Bhaluka is currently home to over 2,500 industrial units, including those of readymade garments, textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, agro-processing, and mobile phone assembly.

The region is rapidly emerging as a key industrial corridor and is increasingly hosting supplier expos, trade summits, and industry-wide conferences that attract both local and international participants.

The hotel project, running on 4.47 acres of land, is planned as a luxury retreat for the country's growing business community.

Featuring 224 rooms, the facility is purpose-built to meet the needs of modern executives.

Amenities include high-speed internet, smart workstations, expansive meeting halls, executive lounges, wellness areas, fine dining restaurants, a business centre, recreational spaces, spa services, and fitness facilities, delivering an all-inclusive experience tailored for professionals.

"Our focus is a seamless, all-inclusive experience," Azad explained.

"From C-suite executives on a one-day visit to corporate teams attending multi-day retreats, our facilities are designed to meet a wide range of professional requirements," he said.

The hotel will be operated under the globally acclaimed Marriott International brand, marking the hospitality group's second venture in Bangladesh after the successful operation of Le Méridien Dhaka, which is also managed by Best Holdings.

The move not only reflects Marriott's confidence in the Bangladeshi market but also reinforces the country's ambitions to expand its high-end hospitality sector beyond major cities.

"This project reflects the evolving geography of our economy," Azad noted.

"Business is no longer Dhaka-centric. Investors are looking to emerging corridors like Bhaluka, and we must be ready with the infrastructure to support them."

He added that the decision to locate the hotel in Bhaluka is both strategic and symbolic, highlighting the region's transformation into a full-fledged industrial destination.

The project is now 80 percent complete, with current efforts focused on interior finishing and final touches.

Best Holdings signed an agreement with Marriott International in June 2021 to develop the hotel, with an estimated investment of Tk 1,172.69 crore. The project is being financed through a mix of 60 percent bank loans and 40 percent equity.

The hotel is expected to create over 200 direct jobs in guest services, food and beverage, administration, and maintenance, said Azad.

It will also generate significant indirect employment in logistics, catering, transportation, and local sourcing, he said.

A recent site visit showed how the hotel blends design with natural beauty, creating a peaceful yet convenient space for business travellers. "This is about more than just hospitality," he added.

"It's about helping decentralise development and building a business-friendly ecosystem beyond Dhaka. We see this as part of a broader national ambition to expand growth nodes across the country," he said.

Currently, most of Bangladesh's five-star hotels are concentrated in Dhaka, Chattogram, and a few urban centers.

Once operational, the Marriott in Bhaluka will become one of 18 government-recognised five-star hotels and one of the very few outside traditional city boundaries.

"This hotel stands as a testament to the rising expectations of corporate travellers. Bangladesh is not only ready to manufacture for the world—we're ready to host it, too," said Azad.