Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles Unveils Refurbished South Wing

Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles is advancing its hotel modernisation programme with the completion of four floors of refurbished accommodation in its South Wing, introducing upgraded guest rooms and self-catering apartments as the historic establishment strengthens its position in Zimbabwe’s hospitality sector.

The development forms part of a phased renovation programme that began around 2021 and 2022, following a change of ownership in 2020, with the hotel opting to upgrade its facilities while remaining operational.

Speaking during a media presentation and hotel tour in Harare, Director of Sales and Marketing Nyasha Mwandiambira said the latest phase focused on modernising accommodation facilities to improve the guest experience while responding to changing travel needs.

The hotel, which was established in 1950, previously had 318 rooms across its North and South wings. Its room inventory has now been adjusted to 286 following the introduction of apartment-style accommodation designed to cater for longer-staying guests.

“We have made sure now that each and every room has its own air-conditioning unit that is fully functional,” Mwandiambira said, explaining that the previous system centrally controlled temperatures across an entire block.

The refurbished rooms also feature upgraded bathrooms, wood-effect tiled flooring in place of carpets, smart televisions and digital access to hotel information, including restaurant menus, conference packages, contact details and information on activities around Harare.

The new digital system is intended to reduce the reliance on printed materials while helping guests navigate the hotel’s services and discover attractions within the capital.

A distinctive feature of the refurbishment is the incorporation of jacaranda imagery into standard rooms and suites, celebrating Harare’s seasonal purple blooms and their place in the city’s identity.

Mwandiambira said the hotel wanted to make the jacaranda season part of the experience offered to visitors, particularly those staying in rooms overlooking the Africa Unity Square gardens and streets.

The South Wing redevelopment has also introduced one-bedroom and two-bedroom self-catering apartments aimed at guests staying for extended periods, including visitors who may need accommodation for a month or longer.

The apartments will allow guests to prepare their own meals while retaining access to the hotel’s restaurants, laundry services and other hospitality facilities.

The refurbishment is the third phase of a broader programme that has already transformed the hotel’s public spaces and event facilities.

The first phase covered the reception, foyer, restaurant, gym, spa and bar areas, while the second focused on conference and banquet venues on the ground and first floors.

The Kitchen Restaurant, created from a former conference room, now accommodates approximately 180 to 200 diners. Its open layout provides views towards Africa Unity Square, while the Explorers Bar has been modernised with large screens for sports viewing and facilities for meetings.

The hotel’s wellness centre includes a gym and a hotel-managed spa offering individual and couples’ treatments, with access for both in-house and walk-in guests.

Conference facilities have also been refurbished to support corporate meetings, government engagements, social functions and international gatherings. The Stuart ballroom can accommodate up to 250 guests in a banquet-style arrangement and up to 300 for cocktail functions, according to the presentation.

Mwandiambira said the hotel’s location in the capital made investment in conference infrastructure particularly important, given Harare’s role as a centre for business, government and diplomatic engagements.

The hotel is also strengthening its environmental commitments through a partnership with the City of Harare to maintain Africa Unity Square, which lies directly opposite the property.

Other initiatives include recycling used guest soaps for redistribution to communities in need, installing low-flow showerheads and taps to reduce water consumption, and introducing measures to reduce water and detergent use.

An on-site water plant was also expected to come online shortly after the presentation, according to Mwandiambira.

The hotel operates under the Hyatt Regency brand, part of the global Hyatt portfolio, which offers the World of Hyatt loyalty programme. Members can earn and redeem points across participating properties, subject to programme terms.

Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles has retained its operations through the renovation period, using a phased approach to minimise disruption while upgrading its facilities.

General Manager Stefan Bloemker leads the hotel as it continues to modernise its accommodation and services in a competitive hospitality market.

The refurbishment underscores the property’s effort to preserve its longstanding place in Harare’s hospitality landscape while adapting to the expectations of contemporary business and leisure travellers.