Thousands of tourists visit Cox’s Bazar every year, drawn by its blue sea, long sandy beach and natural beauty. To meet their accommodation and leisure needs, the coastal district has developed hotels, resorts, and tourist facilities of different standards.
Of these establishments, four hotels are classified as five-star properties under the government’s official rating system, while only one has a four-star rating.
According to the Hotel and Restaurant Cell of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, dated March 12, 2026, Cox’s Bazar has four of the country’s 20 five-star hotels. They are Sea-Gull Hotel Limited, Ocean Paradise Limited, Sayeman Beach Resort Limited and Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa.
Meanwhile, according to an updated list dated January 19, Cox’s Bazar has only one of the country’s eight four-star hotels — The Cox Today Limited. The government has classified the hotel, located near Sugandha Point on Kolatoli Road, as four-star.
Raihan Uddin Ahmed, member-secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Beach Management Committee and manager of Hotel Shaibal of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation in Cox’s Bazar, confirmed the information to Cox’s Bazar Life.
Facilities at five-star hotels
Five-star hotels generally offer comfortable accommodation, quality dining, professional guest services, entertainment, fitness facilities and leisure amenities. However, the types and range of facilities vary from one hotel to another.
Sea-Gull Hotel Limited, located in the Sugandha area of the hotel-motel zone in Cox’s Bazar town, offers different categories of rooms and suites, a swimming pool, several restaurants, a coffee shop and halls for conferences and events. The hotel also accommodates large events, business meetings and family gatherings.
Ocean Paradise Limited on Kolatoli Road offers modern accommodation, proximity to the sea and a setting for leisure stays. Its facilities include a swimming pool, dining options, fitness facilities and a spa.
Sayeman Beach Resort, located by the sea in Kolatoli, attracts guests with its seaside location and modern leisure amenities. The resort offers sea views, an infinity pool, a spa, a modern gym, several dining options, a designated children’s area, and halls for conferences and events. These facilities are used by tourists as well as for corporate functions.
Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa, located in Inani, Ukhiya, is a large-scale leisure destination. Its facilities include rooms and suites, swimming pools, a water park, a spa, a gym, tennis and badminton courts, children’s entertainment facilities, several restaurants, and conference and event facilities. The surrounding hills and greenery also attract visitors.
Four-star hotel also offers modern amenities
The Cox Today Limited, Cox’s Bazar’s only four-star hotel, is located near Sugandha Point on Kolatoli Road. According to its official website, the hotel offers several accommodation categories, including presidential, royal, and executive suites.
Other facilities include a swimming pool, gym, spa and Thai massage, several dining options, a coffee and pastry shop, Wi-Fi, laundry services, a travel desk, and access to a doctor. The hotel also offers buffet breakfast, international cuisine and a barbecue restaurant.
Although the hotel has modern infrastructure and a range of amenities, the government’s rating system still classifies it as a four-star property. Selected luxury facilities do not automatically qualify a hotel for a five-star rating.
How hotel star ratings are determined
Under Bangladesh’s laws governing hotels and restaurants, hotels are classified according to minimum standards set by the government. Key considerations include infrastructure, accommodation standards, guest services, safety, healthcare, cleanliness, and other prescribed facilities.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, classifying three-, four-, and five-star hotels requires submitting an application in the prescribed format, providing the required documents, and undergoing an inspection. A hotel receives a star rating after verification confirms that it meets the required conditions.
Four- and five-star hotels are also required to maintain specified arrangements for healthcare services. These include access to a doctor, a separate consultation room, first-aid equipment and life-saving medicines, trained personnel, and arrangements for transporting patients in emergencies.
Star ratings, therefore, are not determined solely by a hotel’s appearance or the luxury of its facilities. The classification depends on compliance with government-prescribed standards and verification by the relevant authorities.
Internationally oriented hotels and resorts in Cox’s Bazar have expanded accommodation and leisure options for tourists. The government’s official list, which includes four five-star hotels and one four-star hotel in the district, shows the formal classification of the district’s hotel industry.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Cox’s Bazar Life Photo
