Hillside Resort was one of the first in Bangladesh that actually deserved the title ‘resort.’ Situated on a steep, sloping hill just 15 minutes drive from Bandarban town, the property offers a rustic but well-serviced escape from the plains below and a spectacular view of the surrounding hills: a visit here blows apart your definition of Bangladesh as only a flatland, deltaic country.

Cottages, some of which are bamboo and some of which are concrete, are main the styles of accommodation on offer – the resort’s capacity is about 50 people (dorms are available too). There’s also a bright and airy restaurant and a terrace offering that spectacular and unforgettable view of the hills. The property hasn’t been branded for any particular kind of guests: tourists both Bangladeshi and foreign, families both backpacking and retreating are often seen congregating in the various spaces the resort has to offer.

The best part of a visit here is definitely the surrounding environment: the feeling of breaking through the clouds and leaving the plains far behind permeates every breath of fresh air you take. Treks to nearby hilltops or surrounding ethnic villages form the core of activities to do at the resort, and best of all there’s the chance to interact with the cultural diversity found in amongst the adivasi or indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. In this area, Marma people are the most common, but you’ll also come across Tripuran, Chakma and, if you’re lucky, Mru people as well.