Peaconwood Boutique villa aims high
The success story behind Peaconwood Boutique Villa, a hospitality facility based in Palapye, hinges primarily on its quest to provide top notch services
to clients, in addition to riding on latest technologies for convenience. This is according to the Managing Director of the company, Kagiso Tiwayi, who was part of the recent Business Botswana Northern Trade Fair in Francistown. “Peaconwood Boutique Villa is committed in creating a distinct, memorable, and extraordinary experience for the guest. There is a relentless focus on employees and guests, which defines the unique culture of unwavering customer service. We give our guests experience and leave lasting impressions,” Tiwayi told Botswana Guardian this week. Currently, the facility, which opened its doors in April 2019, has 11 rooms, which among others, include a restaurant, in-house bar, swimming pool, Executive Boardroom and a Conference room.
Tiwayi disclosed that they have created 10 jobs, majority of those occupied by Batswana. Peaconwood Boutique Villa is keeping up with technological developments which impacts most sectors of the economy, the hospitality sector included. To move with times, the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) funded facility has implemented a paperless booking system. “Guests have an option to book accommodation online, settle bills online, check-in online and check-out online. The system allows the guest to simply walk into our reception area and directed to the room without any paper work,” stressed Tiwayi who is the co-founder of the business. “
Our online booking system is linked to feedback platform that allows our distinguished guests to share their experience with us and the world at large. This gives us an opportunity to review our operating processes in line with customer needs,” noted Tiwayi, adding that they have introduced a loyalty programme which will contribute to customer retention. To stay abreast, the company executives, regularly attends hospitality local and international expositions, which affords them an opportunity to learn new ideas from competition. Successful businesses in different countries contributed to the implementation of innovative business models aligned with the requirements associated with a millennium traveler.
Tiwayi also explained that their success story has not gone without notice. They have in the past bagged awards such as Best Villa Award – Botswana Travel & Tourism 2022, Best Guest Review Award – Booking.com 2021 and Best Guest Review Award – Booking.com 2020. Like any other player in the market, the company has mixed reactions towards government recent decision to revise its per-diem policy, which among others, extends cash to civil servants on trips to book their accommodation. “There is a direct and adverse impact on business profitability given that Government is the main consumer of our service. There is some form of exploitation observed from some of the Government employees,” she said, adding some wants ridiculously low discounts extended to them.
As a corporate body, Peaconwood Boutique Villa, is committed to community empowerment, which among others include procuring from local farms, hiring casual labour from the local community and transport services. The business has a strong corporate social responsibility programme. 'Four primary schools in Tswapong area benefited from our CSR program since 2022. This intervention influenced achievement of good results from the respective schools,” said Tiwayi. Some of their previous clients have been Botswana Post, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, Morupule Coal Mine, BUIST, Sulzer, and Nandos. Plans are underway to expand outside Palapye.