Grand Aria Hotel

The rooms were spotless, and I had a great experience. A lot of Indian guests seem to choose this place. Having Chutney restaurant nearby is a real bonus.

After weeks of dusty overlanding around Southern Africa, this felt like a place to properly unwind, not just a stop along the way. The pool area was a welcome oasis, with lush gardens and relaxed shared spaces that felt comfortable and homey. The location made errands and a spontaneous trip into town easy. We ate wonderfully well at the restaurants, from a cold brew after a long drive to meals that felt like a celebration. The staff kept working hard in the afternoon heat and were warm and smiling throughout. It was the calm and comfort we needed after the freedom and chaos of the road. I really don’t understand the complaints. This place is a gem.

We bought passes for a pool day while visiting Gaberone and went into the Grand Aria’s beautiful infinity pool. There was green slime on the water and pool walls, and the water smelled awful. I couldn’t detect any chlorine. After one dip, I got out and showered, but the smell was hard to get off my body. Absolutely disgusting, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

The breakfast buffet was very poor, with hardly anything to eat, only a few choices, and food that wasn’t nice. They also charge extra for basics like bath soap and lotion. This doesn’t feel like a 5 star hotel, they should call it a B&B.