Avani Gets P79 Million Facelift

Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday October 3, 2017 17:36

The revamp included the 156 guest rooms and public spaces including the main entrance and porte cochere, which now have Avani’s signature design hallmarks. According to the hotel’s newly appointed general manager (GM), Riaan van Rooyen, the new contemporary design and technological enhancements make for a modern, functional and relaxing experience.

“Situated in the heart of Gaborone’s business district, AVANI Gaborone is ideally suited for leisure and business travelers as well as local residents seeking great food and a variety of entertainment options,” he said.

He said that the layout of the guest bedrooms and bathrooms has been redesigned to ensure the best use of space, noting that the design is functional, modern and comfortable. Room features and amenities include free Wi-Fi, dedicated workstation with media hub, LCD television with satellite news, sport and movie channels and a rain shower.

According to the GM, they used the open plan for the lobby, which blends well with the reception, lounge, eateries and chill out spaces. He said that 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.

“We do have a pantry which offers fresh, quick bites for life on the move, comfort food, fresh fruit juices, barista coffees and more. The Conservatory, which is located in the centre of the lobby, also provides an informal, communal eatery,” he said. Guests also have the option of two other great restaurants, Savuti Grill and Mahogany. Avani also has a swimming pool and a pool bar for their customers situated by the garden.

The Hotel’s conference centre offers a setting for business and social events in Gaborone with a main conference room accommodating up to 500 guests and five private seminar rooms will enrich any meeting.

“We saw the renovation as an opportunity to upskill our staff and expand their capabilities as we had some who participated in the cross-training across departments in order to provide a seamless service,” he said. The former Gaborone Sun was rebranded to Avani in 2015 following a deal in which global gaming and resort giants, Sun International divested out of the four hotels in Southern Africa and sold the business to a Thailand firm, MHG. Under the terms of the P600 million deal, MHG acquired majority holding in the Gaborone Sun in Botswana, the Kalahari Sands in Namibia, the Lesotho Sun and Maseru Sun as well as the Royal Swazi and Ezulwini Sun in Swaziland.

Minor Hotels (MH) is an international hotel owner, operator and investor currently with 154 hotels in operation. The brand currently has 18 properties in operation in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Seychelles, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, the United Arab Emirates and Portugal, with a pipeline of further openings in Australia, Asia and the Middle East. MHG has plans to grow the brand across Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East.