Like Alice, we too often time would like to just vanish down the rabbit-hole and reemerge to find our own proverbial wonderland. However, in a city choked with traffic and crammed with concrete, such a lovely respite is unthinkable. 

The far and few spaces of precious greenery attract too many to offer any semblance of the tranquility we so desire. Where does then one find a slice of their own peaceful kingdom that they can have all for themselves? The Palace is the answer to that very question. 

Located smack dab in the middle of the wilderness of Sylhet, in Bahubal, Habiganj, The Palace Luxury Resort is touted to be a regal experience. Spread over 150 acres of land encompassing  5 eateries and Room Service, 111 Rooms in Tower along with 22 Exclusive Villas, 2 Presidential Villas, The Palace is said to be the first five star resort and the largest of its kind. 

The Palace is named so as it strives to serve royally. Here, luxury is the mantra, with the resort fully geared towards spoiling one rotten. The facilities include Helipads, which bring you to your elusive retreat in a few short hours from the capital city. 

The resort has buggy cars to tend to their guests, carting them to whichever corner they desire to visit. An expansive lake, an amphitheatre and an infinity pool on top of a hill are a few of the attractions. 

There's also a maze to get lost in and ample space for one to go for some real trekking. Basketball is a sport on offer but for those who rather relax the time away, there is a state of the art spa, a gym, a Turkish bath and a sauna, among others. 

The rooms are themselves the very laps of luxury. There are two categories of boarding to choose from - the Main Tower Building and the Villas. Starting from Tk13800++ to Tk17500++, the rooms in the Main Tower Building are fully furnished with state of the art facilities. 

The Main Tower Building is the hotel proper, with each of the rooms offering splendid views, easy access to all the resort areas and of course present with all modern amenities. They are designed for luxury and comfort and that is a vacationer's favourite combination. 

For those with even more refined requirements, the Villas are a treat indeed. Starting from Tk20000++ to Tk120000++ for the Presidential Villa, these are the homes you want to have away from your home. 

The Presidential Villa is easily the jewel in the crown. Cradled within the hills, nature on all sides, the Villas offer breathtaking views of Sylhet's picturesque landscape. Furnished with a giant 3D TV, a Jacuzzi and gaming consoles, here you wish to forget that the other, city part of your life even exists. 

For those with more company, there are of course the two bedroom and three bedroom villas to choose from if the one bedroom villas or the Honeymoon villa is not what you are looking for. 

If the unparallel comforts and the sights do not satiate your appetite, then the restaurants surely will. Even in this untamed kingdom of Mother Nature, culinary gems hide in the foliage. 

For those looking to kick start their foray into the wild, the Barcode serves flaming cocktails that go with the frantic environment that it offers every night, allowing one the chance to move those hips and just shake the stress away. 

The Arabian Lounge, themed as you guessed, offers something off the beaten path. Despite having indoor seating, it is their rooftop tables that offer the best ambience, dining beneath a parade of never ending stars. Within the trees, lies The Revolution Café; this offers food at a brisk and easy going pace. 

There is Nostalgia Café too for those who want to indulge in Bangladesh's famous street food. But when it comes to dinner, few places can trump Saigon, The Palace's most well known secret. 

Professional chefs with years of training prepare the highest standard of Vietnamese cuisine this country has to offer and is a must try. For those more on the Mixed Indian, Continental or Oriental side of cuisine, Olive, the last of the eateries has the solution.

There is much more to Palace than words can fully describe. It is an escape from the escape itself, a journey where you lose yourself momentarily giving in like Alice once did, to her imagination and innocence. The Palace offers your nature on a royal pedestal. Few places can come close to guaranteeing that. 

By Osama Rahman
Photo courtesy: The Palace Luxury Resort