Meikles Hotel rebrands to Hyatt Regency
THE United Arab Emiratesbased hotel concern Albwardy Investment, which bought the iconic Meikles Hotel five years ago, will spend US$30 million on the property to transform it into a world class hospitality gem.
The new owners have since rebranded Meikles Hotel to Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles.
“What I know right now is that the total cost for the refurbishment, after doing the rooms, is going to stay at US$30 million,” Hyatt Regency Harare The Miekles general manager Tinanshe Munjoma told journalists in Harare on Friday.
“But right now, I can’t quantify what we have spent. We are going to find out how much we have spent.
“But total refurbishment after everything has been done; it is worth US$30 million.”
The Hyatt Regency will collaborate with Harare City Parking for the expansion of parking lots around the hotel premises. It will also collaborate with the Harare City Council on the maintenance of the Africa Unit Square.
In a statement on Friday, Hyatt Regency said the opening of the Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles in Zimbabwe marked a significant milestone in the hospitality landscape of the country.
“The five-star property aims to offer an unmatched guest experience, combining elements of Zimbabwean hospitality with the Hyatt Regency brand’s signature excellence,” the statement reads in part.
Located in the heart of Harare, the newly branded Hyatt Regency property was originally established in 1915, offering 312 rooms in its north and south wings, each overlooking distinctive views of Africa Unity Square.
Javier Aguila, group president of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for Hyatt, said the debut opening underscored “our dedication to growing our brand footprint in new destinations, contributing to the growth and development of the country’s tourism sector, while providing exceptional service and creating memorable moments for our World of Hyatt members and guests.”
Munjoma said the grand opening marked a great milestone for the country’s hospitality industry.
“We look forward to welcoming even more global travellers seeking diverse cultural experiences in Harare by leveraging the track record and expertise of a global hospitality brand,” he said.
Albwardy is renowned for its management of hotels under prestigious brands such as Four Seasons and Hyatt.
It bought Meikles Hotel, which has been an integral part of Harare’s hospitality landscape since its inception in 1915 by the Meikle brothers, John, Thomas, and Stewart, for US$20 million.
The Hyatt Regency brand is a global collection of hotels and resorts found in more than 200 locations in over 40 branches around the world.
The depth and breadth of this diverse portfolio, from expansive resorts to urban city centres, is a testament to the brand’s evolutionary spirit.
For more than 50 years, the Hyatt Regency brand has championed fresh perspectives and enriching experiences, while its forward-thinking philosophy provides guests with inviting spaces that bring people together and foster a spirit of community.