Avani poolside bar relaunch
Michelle Phetlhe | Tuesday November 8, 2022 06:00
With 199 rooms and suites, amazing conferencing, a scenic poolside, 20-minute drive from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport whether you are doing business or simply relaxing.
It is all possible at Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino.
I probably don’t visit the hotel as much as I did when I was a kid. I am pretty sure dad had membership to one or two family orientated hotels, Avani nee Gaborone Sun being one of them.
We celebrated numerous birthdays in the still lush and kept gardens, swam in the crystal blue pool and lay around the poolside taking in the pleasant views and sun.
In between the birthdays was Mother’s Day lunches, Father’s Day and the odd family dinners.
When I think Avani, personally I feel nostalgic and appreciate it for the multi-faceted space it is, the renovations over the past two decades are inspiring, every change makes it more welcoming and inclusive, i.e. Mosha Spa, The Pantry and what I best describe as the Business Foyer.
I have intentionally left the Poolside Bar to describe last as this was one of the spaces where we spend a lot of time. Sunday lunches with sparkling waters as a backdrop and amazing live musical notes.
We were lucky enough to review the poolside bar as family on Leboko’s birthday, making the review so much more significant. There was a bit of a drizzle but the cabanas are sheltered, making them enjoyable in any weather. As Avani sets out to revive hospitality post the pandemic, Samantha, HOM shared there are numerous plans and efforts in play or rolling out soon, which will remind patrons of the good times.
They are creating spaces and lifestyle events that will entice the whole family and friends to choose them as their number one destination to create life long memories, essentially what the hotel has always been synonymous with.
Short-term activities include the re-launch of the Poolside bar, the name as well as a revamp and renovation of the cabanas. Opening of Fifa and an exciting Family Fun Day take place over the next three weeks and if at all this is a measure to go by, one can only anticipate thrilling changes. The Tuscan inspired pizza oven and kitchen stands out against the greenery of the garden and sky high palm trees.
Not sure if people watch their pizza being made, but stepped over to chef to enjoy his work and process as he rolled out the dough and made our Chicken and Bacon starter, after all he is in the open he probably enjoys the interaction as well. Chef was meticulous as he constructed the pizza, 15 mins later he took it out the pizza oven, hot, fresh and appetizing. I had an advantage and grabbed the first slice.
Thin base, generous amount of toppings, great to share as a starter of as a main. We placed the mains order with Raymond. The Birthday Boy started, he flipped through excitedly and stopped at the burger.
Beef or Chicken? He loves him some meat, so he went with beef. It was huge, when it came to the table, everyone’s eyes went wide. Two patties, an egg, bacon, smelted cheese oozing over the sides served with chunky hand cut tasty fries.
He encourages all to order the burger at least once to experience the goodness he did. We all tasted the fries and unintentionally went in on them, they were big! Crispy on outside and perfectly seasoned.
Shalom is obsessed with Hawaiian Pizza and he reviews them at every different restaurant we visit. Expectedly he flipped to the pizza page, ordered, when he saw seswaa written in his peripheral, he read on and realised there was paleche available. Immediately he changed his order. Pap, seswaa, morogo and carrots.
As a connoisseur of home cooked seswaa him and his dad gave it a double thumbs, nna my interest was in the greens the morogo was a good, ratio to the pap. Dad ordered a beautifully cooked steak, le nna I was impressed, it looked juicy. He described it as crisp, golden-brown with a flavourful crust. It was the key to building flavour and texture to the dish.
Personally I was more than happy with my 400g ribs and green salad, wished I would have got chips instead, but felt good to be a little healthy (took half the ribs home; they are quite a large serving).
A Sex on the Beach seemed a perfect compliment to the meal and aesthetic....palm trees, pool vibes. We can’t wait to revisit to see the revamp of all the cabanas. See you there!