Cresta Marang Gardens

Cresta Marang Gardens is Cresta Hotels' second Francistown property (alongside Cresta Thapama), set on the banks of the Tati River less than 10 minutes from the city centre and about 6.8km from Francistown Airport. Also known historically as 'Cresta Marang and Residency,' it currently appears on Cresta's own live Botswana hotel roster. On TripAdvisor it holds a 4.3/5 rating from 436 reviews, ranking #2 of 7 Francistown hotels (just behind Cresta Thapama) with a 2026 Travellers' Choice award. Its manicured, birdlife-rich gardens and riverside setting give it a more relaxed, nature-adjacent feel than the more urban Thapama, positioning it well for both business stopovers and leisure travellers wanting a quieter base.

The property has 105 rooms across four categories: Residency Standard Double/Twin (40 sqm, queen bed, dining area), Garden Suites (40 sqm, queen bed, dining area), Rondavel Standard Double/Twin (30 sqm) and Rondavel Deluxe Double/Twin (42 sqm) — a distinctive rondavel-chalet layout not offered at Cresta Thapama. Beyond standard rooms, Marang Gardens also offers a well-maintained campsite with hot water and Wi-Fi for guests wanting to camp rather than stay in a room, a genuinely unusual amenity for a Cresta city hotel and worth flagging for budget-conscious or overlanding clients. Rates start from P850 (room only).

Facilities include free parking, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, two swimming pools, a bar/lounge and poolside bar, a cocktail lounge, à la carte and buffet dining with river views, a business centre and conference facilities, kids' activities and a play area, and airport transportation. Guest reviews consistently praise the friendly, attentive staff, riverside gardens, and family-friendly pool areas (with 24/7 security at the boom gate), though several recent reviews note the rooms and furniture are somewhat dated and could benefit from a refresh — a fair data point for setting client expectations on room finish versus setting and service.

At a Glance - Property type: 3-star Cresta Hotels riverside property in Francistown (also known historically as Cresta Marang and Residency); TripAdvisor #2 of 7 Francistown hotels, 2026 Travellers' Choice; currently on Cresta's own live roster - Rooms: 105 rooms/units: Residency Standard Double/Twin (40 sqm), Garden Suites (40 sqm), Rondavel Standard Double/Twin (30 sqm), Rondavel Deluxe Double/Twin (42 sqm); plus a serviced campsite (hot water, Wi-Fi) - Max guests: 2 per standard room/rondavel (room-dependent); family rooms available per TripAdvisor listing - Children policy: Marketed as kid/family-friendly with children's activities and a play area; no minimum age stated - confirm directly with the hotel - Key activities: Riverside relaxation on the Tati River, birdwatching in the gardens, 2 swimming pools, nearby casino, business/conference base - Facilities: Restaurant (river-view dining), cocktail lounge, poolside bar, 2 pools, fitness centre, business centre/conference facilities, campsite, free parking, airport transfers - Power/Wi-Fi: Grid power, air conditioning in all rooms; free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout (including at the campsite) - Ownership/history: Operated by Cresta Hotels (Cresta Marakanelo); second of two Cresta properties in Francistown alongside Cresta Thapama - Source: https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Hotel_Review-g317054-d1200594-Reviews-Cresta_Marang_Gardens-Francistown_North_East_District.html ; https://www.crestahotels.com/hotels/botswana/cresta-marang-gardens