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Harare Bureau
MEIKLES Hospitality says the $8,5 million refurbishment of its hotel’s north wing is now complete and guests are already being booked into the new rooms. The refurbishment, which started in April last year, involved the complete renovation of 132 bedrooms in the north wing, including major changes to their bathrooms and an upgrade of the air conditioning.
The function rooms on the ground and second floors of the wing were also redesigned, while the hotel’s flagship restaurant, La Fontaine Grill room was extensively refurbished and its kitchen completely transformed into one of the most modern in Southern Africa.
Addressing journalists before a tour of the refurbished wing, Meikles commercial director Mr Tham Mpofu said guests had already started staying in the new rooms.
“We have already started welcoming guests and we are excited that after a long period of planning and execution, we are now ready to go back to full strength with our rooms’ inventory,” he said.
He said Meikles was looking for opportunities to grow locally, regionally and internationally and the refurbishment would help them capitalise on growing markets.
“There have been many encouraging signs of renewed growth in travel and tourism and we in Meikles welcome this.
“Along with our many colleagues throughout the sector, we look forward to increased interest in Zimbabwe as a destination for travellers of all kinds, especially in the upper end of the business and leisure markets, which is where Meikles is positioned as the natural and first choice,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said many operators within the sector had had to undertake investment and expenditure to bring infrastructure up to the highest possible standard and create for a fresh new look following years of economic challenges in the past years.
“Our biggest undertaking has been the refashioning of the north wing to prepare it for what we hope is a brighter and busier future and to allow this hotel to retain its reputation for building on a solid foundation of experience and tradition while utilising innovation, imagination and creativity to give our guests an experience that is unmatched in this market,” he said.
He said the group was striving to remain a market leader and meeting the changing expectations of travellers as it had done over the past 98 years of the hotel’s existence.
“We started with various endeavours to do just that, and acquired new banqueting furniture and equipment and undertook various upgrades of product and service. We strengthened the management team of Meikles Hospitality and Meikles Hotel with new members of staff, whose contribution brings innovation and additional strengths.
“There have been changes in food and beverage operations, where we have introduced new menus, new wine lists and new styles of cuisine and presentation,” he said.
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