AVANI Gaborone Resort & Casino hosted the local media this past Thursday for a complete experience of what the new look hotel has to offer. Following their P79 million pula facelift AVANI has completely transformed, shedding the image of what used to be known as Gaborone Sun. The new look contemporary arts and design mean the only thing that remains of the old hotel is the concrete. Addressing the media, the hotel’s General Manager Riaan van Rooyen said with its ‘young and dynamic’ brand AVANIaims to attract tech savvy metropolitanmillennials. “We have got the passion for the industry,” he said. “We care about the welfare not just for the customer but for our employees as well.”
September 27, 2017: AVANI Gaborone Resort & Casino, the business and social hub of Gaborone, is celebrating the completion of a P79-million renovation.
A total of 156 guest rooms and public spaces including the main entrance and porte cochere have been renovated with the aim of introducing AVANI’s signature design hallmarks. The new contemporary design and technological enhancements make for a modern, functional and relaxing experience.
“It is clearly evident from the sheer size and scale of the renovation that AVANI Hotels & Resorts is committed to cementing relationships with the communities of Gaborone and Botswana as a whole. AVANI Gaborone is now the capital’s leading leisure and business resort,” van Rooyen said.
Situated in the heart of Gaborone’s business district, home to The Botswana Stock Exchange, Debswana Diamond Company, the Southern African Development Community headquarters and financial institutions, AVANI Gaborone is ideally located for leisure and business travellers and local residents’ seeking great food and a variety of entertainment options.
The open plan design for living lobby blends reception, lounge, eateries and chill out spaces. The interior is spacious and natural light has been used to great effect, allowing for a communal space where guests can relax, meet and eat. The Pantryoffers fresh, quick bites for life on the move, comfort food, fresh fruit juices, barista coffees and more.
The Conservatory, located in the centre of the lobby, provides an informal, communal eatery. Design elements include a leafy graphic design wall, ceiling punkah fans, wicker seating and parquet flooring. The menu features sandwiches, hamburgers, salads and pasta dishes and delivers on AVANI’s promise of honest food, using freshly sourced local ingredients as well as naturally raised poultry and sustainable meat and seafood.
Guests also have the option of two other great restaurants, Savuti Grill and Mahogany. Set within lush gardens is a swimming pool and pool bar.
The layout of the guest bedrooms and bathrooms has been redesigned to ensure the best use of space. The design is functional, modern and comfortable. Room features and amenities include free WiFi, dedicated work station with media hub, LCD television with satellite news, sport and movie channels and a rain shower.
The conference centre offers an impressive setting for business and social events in Gaborone with a main conference room accommodating up to 500 guests and five private Seminar Rooms.
“We saw the renovation as an opportunity to upskill staff and expand their capabilities. All staff were encouraged to participate in cross-training across departments in order to provide a seamless service. The service and services offered in a predominantly business hotel differ in significant ways from the priorities in a leisure hotel. Efficiency and a sense of urgency is very important to a business traveller who is generally on the go from very early in the morning,” van Rooyen said, adding“With this in mind we open breakfast earlier, offer free WiFi everywhere, ensure a quick check-in and check-out service and our concierge staff are adept at providing quick transfers, shopping tips and advice on restaurants in the area.”
