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Those in Harare are in for a treat today as the reigning monarchy of the city’s hotels becomes the third one in the country to celebrate 100 years of existence. Meikles Hotel opened its doors on November 15 1915. To start the day the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Zimbabwe will have a run through featuring cars from each of the 10 decades of the hotel’s operational life. The parade will feature more than two dozen vehicles, including one that dates back to before the first world war, and will start from the TM Pick n Pay in Msasa at 1130 am.
The cars will drive to TM Pick n Pay at Borrowdale Village, where they will have a short stop before moving on to the TM Pick n Pay at Arundel Village. After a short stop there, they move on to Meikles Hotel, where they will be flagged in by the Mayor of Harare, Councillor Ben Manyenyeni at about 1pm. “This is a very exciting event that will have great spectator appeal at all stages, especially at the end in front of the hotel, where members of the public are welcome to come along and have a look at the vehicles on show,” said Tinashe Munjoma, general manager of Meikles Hotel. The celebrations will not end there as at midnight fireworks will be set off from the hotel’s roof garden, as happens each year on New Year’s eve. With the sultry night weather this is a perfect opportunity for a midnight picnic for the whole family in Africa Unity Square, where crowds also gather to watch the new year presentation. “People are invited to come down to see the display and to co-operate with the police and other authorities in maintaining order in the streets so that there is maximum enjoyment of the fireworks,” said Mr Munjoma.
“Even at the late hour it is suitable for family enjoyment.” Founded by famed early Harare businessman Thomas Meikle, Meikles Hotel was opened in 1915 as a two-storey building on the site adjacent to the present hotel, now occupied by ZB Life Towers. This building was demolished in 1974, but preceding its demolition was the creation of what was called the East Wing, a seven-storey building on the corner of Third Street and Jason Moyo Avenue. The current South Wing was built in 1976 and the East Wing, which became the North Wing after the 1970s developments, was extended to 12 storeys in a major 1992 refurbishment.
Now a five-star hotel with more than 300 bedrooms and suites, as well as a range of banqueting rooms, restaurants, bars and other facilities, Meikles Hotel is often described as Zimbabwe’s premier hotel and is one of only three Zimbabwean hotels to have achieved centenarian status; the others are the Christmas Pass Hotel outside Mutare and The Victoria Falls Hotel. The hotel is one of only two members in Zimbabwe that have made it into prestigious Leading Hotels of the World group.
“We are very proud of the achievement of a century of excellence and we look forward to members of the public joining the celebration by enjoying the vintage and classic car run and the fireworks,” said Mr Munjoma
– Meilkles Hotel/Lifestyle Writer
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