3 Best Hotels in Botswana

Situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River, Cresta Maun is one of Maun's largest and most modern hotels. An impressive atrium, which successfully melds local culture with an unusual flair for design, opens out onto a covered terrace; it's a great spot for sundowners. The terrace is flanked by an alfresco bar on one side and by an enclosed restaurant that serves a variety of international food on the other. The compact rooms, tastefully decorated in neutral tones, are ultramodern, with glass-walled showers in the bedroom. Facilities are as you would expect from this caliber of chain hotel and include air-conditioning, satellite TV, a gym, and free Wi-Fi.

A Maun institution, this comfortable modern hotel, now under Cresta ownership and situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River, is a far cry from the seven dusty rooms built by the legendary Harry Riley in the 1930s. Harry's Bar is still going, although planes no longer taxi straight up to the bar as in the good old days, and it's frequented more by businessmen than locals. Rooms are comfortable and clean but not particularly imaginative, and Riley's Grill still serves a good meal.  

With its whitewashed walls and Iberian-style blue and white patterned azulejo tiles, there’s a refreshing mediterranean feel to Maun’s most luxurious boutique hotel, which opened its doors in 2024. Set on the banks of the (seasonal) Thamalakane river, five thatched air-conditioned villas with ornamental fireplaces, armchairs, window-seats, roll-top bath and covered veranda are chic and wonderfully cool; there are also seven smaller semi-detached cottages for those on a tighter budget. The simple but striking blue and white color scheme allied with a hint of colonial luxury creates an intriguing ambience that is unlike anything else in town. Lazing by the stylish pool surrounded by white sand and azure and white striped padded loungers, is reminiscent of a private Greek beach.  Directly below, a spiral white stone staircase descends to the lounge, library, bar and pillared dining terrace, where gourmet à la carte meals are served from a changing menu or, if you prefer, you can picnic on the lush lawns. An arched wine-cave cleverly built into the hillside doubles as a venue for private dinners and special occasions, and there is also a spa. Billed as a retreat, the focus is on recuperation and rejuvenation rather than safari activities, so it is best seen as a pre- or post-safari stopover.