Meikles Hotel sets the pace

IN the heart of Harare stands an architectural legacy that, for 98 years, has been the epicentre of Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality industry.
In the ambience of this superstructure meetings — political and apolitical, social and economic – have been successfully concluded and sired deals that have changed the face of the world.
Legendary people of the world, the dead and the living, who passed through this hotel have had stories to tell. The living still talk about it while the dead are surely talking about it in their graves.
On its entrance lie lion sculptures, whose legend is that they used to smile each time a virgin passed by, of course, in their heyday! Welcome to the Meikles Hotel.
Meikles Hotel is situated in Harare’s Central Business District, overlooking the lush green Africa Unity Square gardens on whose southern edge lies a vibrant flower market and a multifarious array of curio markets.
Befitting for that long service is the leading role, which the hotel is taking in maintaining world standards by embarking on an US$8,5 million refurbishment exercise.
While many hotels in the tourism and hospitality industry have literary become cry babies, demanding Government subsidises at every twist and turn, Meikles Hotel has self-funded the refurbishment of the north wing, ahead of the United Nations World                           Tourism Organisation General Assembly slated for August.
The decision to refurbish, and bring into its innards, state-of-the-art hardware in its gym, kitchen and function rooms, does not only show the seriousness in Meikles management’s quest to provide exceptional service but also shows that the management is thinking beyond the borders of Zimbabwe. Their footprint elsewhere will put Zimbabwe on the international map.
The example set by Meikles should be followed by all and sundry in the tourism and hospitality industry, for our hotels should meet world standards in terms of reception and quality of service delivery.
All over the world the first impression of a country is given through its tourism.
Hotels such as Meikles are a critical factor in defining who we are and what comfort we can give to our clients.
Of particular importance is that Meikles is refurbishing at a time when Zimbabwe has gone overdrive to market its tourist resorts under the new national brand, “Zimbabwe: A World of Wonders”.
It is, therefore, important for Meikles Hotel to ride on the crest of the national rebranding exercise.
Since 1915, Meikles Hotel has been regarded as Zimbabwe’s premier hotel, with gracious charm and a vibrant culture and this is what has made the hotel a legendary and internationally acclaimed establishment.
What has made Meikles stand above the rest is that the management there seems to understand the finer points of hospitality and luxury.
Sure, if one is to indulge in a lifestyle of luxury at one of Zimbabwe’s few five-star hotels, Meikles Hotel is the place to be.
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