Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Cresta Botsalo Hotel, Palapye's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Cresta Botsalo Hotel, Palapye's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the gloriously imperfect, surprisingly luxurious, and utterly captivating world of the Cresta Botsalo Hotel in Palapye. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter hotel reviews. This is gonna be good. Like, really good.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Cresta Botsalo Hotel – Palapye's Hidden Gem! (Or is it?) My Honest Take.
Let’s be real, Palapye isn’t exactly the first place screaming "luxury getaway". But, and this is a BUT worthy of a dramatic pause, the Cresta Botsalo genuinely surprised me. Seriously. I went in with lowered expectations (let's be honest, the road trip getting there was… an experience. Let's just say my GPS has a new vendetta) and came out feeling… pampered. Like, legit pampered.
Accessibility: Okay, Let's Get Real About Getting Around
Okay, so "Hidden Gem" implies location, location, location, but let's talk realistically about accessibility first. Because, let's face it, if you can't get there, what are you even doing? The hotel boasts facilities for disabled guests which is a huge plus, and the elevator, well, it exists! That's the important thing. I didn't use it myself, but the fact that it's there and that the hotel mentions it is a massive point in their favour.
Wheelchair Accessible: Not only did they mention facilities for the disabled, they actually thought about it. A solid, albeit, not perfect, A for effort. Access: Not a bad drive from Gaborone, but don't trust Google maps completely
Getting Around: Car Park and other conveniences Car Park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking The car park? Plenty. It's free. Score! And the parking spaces are well-lit and well taken care of. The car power charging station is a detail I appreciate as someone who is conscious of our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment. The taxi service, which I did not need myself, is another well-thought-out convenience.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Belly-Busting Bliss (Mostly)
Alright, the food. This is where the Cresta Botsalo REALLY shone. I wasn't expecting much. Seriously. But holy moly, the breakfast? The Breakfast Buffets were incredible. I'm talking Asian breakfast alongside the Western breakfast, which is a massive tick in the diversity box. The fruit selection? Pristine. The eggs? Fluffy. The sausages? Well, let's just say I may have eaten six. Six! I'm not ashamed. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent, but honestly, I was too busy devouring all the other goodies. The happy hour was a fun bonus, cheap drinks and chatting with the locals about, well, life! The Poolside bar was a godsend for those lazy afternoons by the pool. The restaurants themselves were great too. I went for the buffet in restaurant, but there were other options. The Snack bar was good too.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitised and Safe
Okay, so this is a big one. Post-pandemic (or whatever you'd call it now), safety is paramount. And Cresta Botsalo gets it. Big time. From the moment you walk in, you see Hand sanitizer readily available. The staff are clearly trained in safety protocol. I loved the little things like individually-wrapped food options and the daily disinfection in common areas. It's comforting to know they're taking it seriously. Doctor/nurse on call too, which gives you peace of mind.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (The Good Stuff)
This is where Cresta Botsalo really tries to impress. And mostly, they do. They absolutely do offer some incredible amenities.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] The Swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous and looks incredible. The fitness wasn't my jam, but that’s more my lack of self-control than the hotel's fault. If I had more time, I would have given myself a treatment in the Spa. All in all, pretty good.
Internet Access: Okay but…
This is where we encounter our first real snag. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!… except when it's not. My connection was a bit patchy at times. Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless are there, but don't expect to stream HD movies without a fight. The Wi-Fi in public areas was better, but still not perfect. Internet services in the world of today are practically a necessity, so hopefully, the internet experience is something they will continue to improve on.
- Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas.
Rooms: Cozy and Comfortable (Mostly)
Okay, the rooms. They’re well-appointed. Clean. Comfortable beds. Air conditioning which is a must in Botswana. And I got a room on High floor, which was awesome. The Soundproofing was pretty good. And the blackout curtains meant I got some serious sleep!
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. My room, however, was not, shall we say, immaculate. A few questionable marks here and there, on the carpeting, and the window didn't open all the way. Nothing major, but it's the little things, right? The In-room safe box was a plus, but I always forget I have valuables until I am already home.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras That Matter
This is where Cresta Botsalo truly shines. From the 24-hour front desk [24-hour] to the surprisingly efficient laundry service, they've thought of everything. Daily housekeeping kept things tidy. I did not use the Babysitting service, but I saw that they offered it, which could be awesome. The concierge was helpful. The gift/souvenir shop, however, seemed a bit overpriced. But, overall, the service was impeccable.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
For the Kids: Family Fun (Maybe)
I did not, personally, bring any kids, but The Family/child friendly and kids meal gave me a positive feeling.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal,
Safety and Security: Feel Secure
I was extremely pleased to see the level of safety and security at the hotel.
- **Access,
Alright, strap yourselves in. This isn't your perfectly curated, Instagram-filtered itinerary. This is me, tackling the Cresta Botsalo Hotel in Palapye, Botswana, and living to tell the tale. Buckle up, buttercups.
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Awakenings, and the Mystery of the Room Service Sausage
Morning (Botswana Time, which is approximately… whenever): Landed in Gaborone, the capital. The flight was fine, but the connection to Palapye? Let's just say it involved a bumpy bus ride and a driver who clearly believed in "arrive when you feel like it." Arrived at the Cresta Botsalo. The exterior? Promising! Big, clean… looked like it could be fancy once upon a time. My optimism faded slightly as I approached the reception desk and the lady was clearly in a mood. Found my room, Number 214. Honestly? It smelled faintly of mothballs and… possibility?
Afternoon: Settling In (and Avoiding the Pool): Okay, room unpacked (ish). The aircon is loud. Like, jet engine loud. Debated calling reception, decided to embrace the noise. The bathroom? Slightly… dated. But hey, the water pressure is decent. Which is a win, right? The pool area? Looked tempting. But I've heard tales of overly enthusiastic chlorine, so I am going pass it till my skin gets used to the weather. Explored the hotel. The bar looked inviting… but first, a nap. That bus ride took a lot out of me.
Evening: Culinary Confusion and the Sausage Conundrum: Ordered room service. The menu was… interesting. Went for the “Botswana Breakfast.” I was feeling adventurous. And tired. This is where things got… weird. The “sausage” was… a question mark in meat form. Texture was questionable. Taste… indescribable. It haunts me still. Ate half, decided to blame jet lag. The rest of the meal was fine, bland, and safe. Watched some terrible TV; went to bed early. I have high hopes for the breakfast in the morning, but I am not sure.
Quirky Observation: The "do not disturb" sign looks suspiciously like a repurposed promotional flyer for a local tire shop.
Day 2: Sunrise, Snakes (Maybe), and a Trip to the "Local Market"
- Morning: Woke up to the sun blasting through the curtains. Glorious. I swear, the aircon had even calmed down. It's a miracle! Chugged some water. The Botswana Breakfast from room service was a distant, nightmare-inducing memory. Okay, time to be proactive, went for it. Actually went down for breakfast for a second chance. The omelet was a winner. Phew!
- Mid-Morning: The Great Botswana Outdoors (and maybe a snake?): Took a stroll around the hotel grounds. I heard a rustling in some bushes. My imagination went wild. A snake! A giant python! Nope. Just a lizard. Still, it was a moment. Felt like Indiana Jones, minus the whip.
- Afternoon: "Local Market" Adventure (and a Lesson in Bargaining): The hotel recommended a "local market." Sounded exotic! It was. A collection of stalls selling… everything. Jewelry, carvings, souvenirs, and a lot of things I couldn't identify. The sellers were friendly, which was nice. Bargaining? A sport unto itself. I'm terrible at it. Ended up paying twice what I should have for a wooden giraffe. It's okay. Its charming and I can blame jet lag.
- Evening: Dinner Delights and the Loneliness of the Traveler: The hotel restaurant decided to have a "themed" night of sorts, which sounds cool. I'm not particularly fond of themed nights. But I will try anything. Went for it. Turns out it was a buffet; lots of meats; some familiar, some… less so. Ate way too much. Sat alone at my table, feeling a mix of content and a little bit lonely. Travel can sometimes be like that, you know? You're in a place you've never been before, surrounded by new sights, but you're still just… you.
- Messy Rambling: The giraffe looks fantastic. But now I got a question. Where did I find the space to even bring it?
Day 3: Relaxation Attempted, Departure Looming, and a Final Encounter with the Room Service Sausage's Ghost
- Morning: Poolside Paradise (or, the battle with the sun): Decided to brave the pool. Slathered on sunscreen. Found a lounger. Closed my eyes. Bliss. Until I realized the sun was absolutely cooking me. Moved to the shade. Much better. Read my book. Pretended to be a sophisticated traveler. Actually was good, that part.
- Afternoon: Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping (and a frantic dash…): Did some last-minute souvenir shopping. Needed to get something for the family. It was chaotic. There was a shop that had really cool things. Made a mad dash to get to the other shop. Found a really cool wooden box that I found. But I was late back to pack. The packing was a nightmare!
- Evening: Dinner Disaster (and a final farewell…): Dinner was a disaster. The service was slow. The food was forgettable. I ordered a coffee. It never arrived. I knew the trip was over, and the sausage's ghost visited me again. It was the food that was my last memory of the hotel.
- Emotional Reaction (and a touch of honesty): Leaving the Cresta Botsalo. Mixed feelings. It was… an experience. Flawed, messy, a little bit weird. But it was real. And, in its own peculiar way, I'll remember it. Yes, I hope, I will remember it. I'll definitely be talking about that sausage for years to come. Goodbye, Cresta Botsalo. You tested me. You challenged me. And I… mostly survived.
- Final Thought: And the next time I see a "Botswana Breakfast" on a menu? I'm running. Running far, far away.
Cresta Botsalo: Palapye, You Got Me Hooked... Mostly. (An FAQ That's Maybe *Too* Honest)
Okay, spill the beans. Is Cresta Botsalo Hotel actually that "hidden gem" everyone's raving about?
Alright, alright, settle down. "Hidden gem"... okay, maybe a *slightly* tarnished gem. Let's be real, Palapye isn't exactly Monaco. But! Cresta Botsalo? Well, they *try*. Honestly, for Palapye, it's pretty darn good. Think: a comfy, relatively modern oasis emerging from the dusty Botswanian planes.
The food. Give me the scoop. Is it edible? Is it... dare I say... GOOD?
Food… oh, the food. Okay, here’s where things get *interesting*. The buffet breakfast? Surprisingly solid. Bacon? Crispy. Eggs? Cooked *mostly* to order (though, one time, I swear my scrambled eggs had a life of their own, they were so rubbery). Dinner? Can be a gamble. One night, divine chicken peri-peri. Another? Let's just say I developed a close, personal relationship with the on-site *Antacid*. There was a weirdly flavourless fish dish that haunts my dreams... Look, stick to the grilled meats and you'll probably be okay. And the chips? Always reliable. Always.
What's the vibe like? Is it all stuffy business travelers or a more relaxed crowd?
Vibe check… hmmm. It's a mixed bag. Mostly business travelers, which can be… predictable. Think hushed phone calls in the lobby and the subtle click-clack of briefcases. But, and this is the saving grace, there's always a smattering of locals. And honestly, those folks are the *life* of the place. One evening, I witnessed an impromptu sing-along in the bar with some farmers after a particularly hard day, let's just call it a "unique musical experience," and it was pure gold. The staff are super friendly, though, bless their hearts– sometimes the service is a bit... leisurely. Embrace the chill. You’re in Botswana, not Manhattan.
The rooms! Are they luxurious as the hype suggests? Give me the nitty-gritty.
"Unbelievable luxury"... okay, maybe *that's* a bit of an exaggeration. My room? Comfy enough. The bed was the best thing, like sinking into a fluffy cloud after a long day in the sun. The air con worked, thank the heavens, because Palapye gets *hot*. The decor? Well… it’s functional. They've attempted to make it modern, but let's call it "tasteful beige." There was a slight mildewy smell in the bathroom, which was NOT ideal, but hey, I survived. And the water pressure in the shower was… well, it was there. You just need patience. Honestly, you get used to it, or maybe you just become desensitized.
Tell me about the pool! Does it live up to the Instagram hype?
The pool… Ah, the pool. Right. Okay, here's the deal. The pool? Is nice. Surprisingly so. It's clean, it's cool, and it’s a welcome relief from the relentless Botswana sun. Instagram hype? Well, the lighting is good. Very good. In fact, it's probably the *most* luxurious thing about the whole place. The pool area is pretty peaceful, and it's a great place to relax with a book, a drink, and try and forget about the weird fish from last night. There was this one time though, where a flock of birds decided to make it their personal spa day. Let's just say, the cleaning staff had their work cut out for them after that.
Is the Wi-Fi decent? Because… you know, the modern world.
Wi-Fi. The bane of my existence. Okay. Expect it to fluctuate. Don't expect to livestream your entire vacation. Sometimes it's lightning fast, sometimes it's slower than a snail wearing concrete shoes. I spent a good hour trying to upload a photo of a particularly majestic sunset, eventually giving up and just enjoying the sunset. Embrace the digital detox, you might actually enjoy it. Or, do what I do, and download a bunch of movies before you get there.
Anything about the staff? Are they friendly and helpful?
The staff? Bless their cotton socks. Generally, yes, they're lovely. They're friendly, they try hard. But, efficiency isn't exactly their forte. One time, getting a simple ice bucket took three calls and about half an hour. But, they're always smiling. And they genuinely want you to have a good time. And honestly, that counts for a lot. I got lost on the way to the restaurant one night, and one of the security guards actually *walked* me there. That's service!
Okay, the big question: Would you go back? Honestly.
Hmm… would I go back? Honestly? Yes. Absolutely. Despite the slightly dodgy fish, the occasionally iffy Wi-Fi, and the mildew smell in the bathroom (which, let's face it, who *doesn't* have that in a humid climate?), Cresta Botsalo has a certain… charm. It's a comfortable place to rest your head in a town that's not exactly brimming with options. More importantly, it's about the experience. It's about the unexpected kindness, the impromptu sing-alongs, and the sunsets that will knock your socks off. So yeah, I will definitely go back. And next time, I'm bringing my own antacids. And maybe a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Just in case.
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