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Meikles Hotel
Meikles Hotel
Meikles Hotel
Meikles Hotel
Meikles Hotel
Meikles Hotel

About Meikles Hotel

Right in the heart of the Zimbabwean capital, the Meikles is a traditional hotel enhanced by plenty of contemporary features.

The grand old lady of Harare’s hotel scene celebrated her centenary in 2015 and is still going strong.

With its central location, refurbished rooms and broad range of amenities, the Meikles is arguably the best large hotel in the city.

Of the 312 rooms, many offer more than a nod to the past, but others – in the North Wing – are rather more contemporary in style.

Indeed, the blend of the old and the new is clear throughout, from the sculptured lions that guard the entrance to the no-nonsense gym where you can work off the excesses of dinner.

Despite this, the overall feel is one of traditional elegance. It’s not hard to imagine dining here in days gone by, ladies in flowing gowns, gentlemen in smart jacket and tie. Time moves on, and the hotel’s dining options are now more varied – and generally less formal – yet the very fabric of the building feels steeped in colonial style.

By all means get a feel for the urban buzz on the streets of Harare, but then retire to this city oasis – perhaps to the rooftop pool, or for pre-dinner drinks at the Can-Can Cocktail Bar. Exclusive to hotel guests, it is seemingly the place to be seen.

Our view

For the last 30 years or so, the Meikles Hotel has set the standard amongst the larger hotels in Harare – and it continues to do so. It's in a very central location, has a good range of restaurants and facilities on site, and its newer rooms, especially the Club Rooms, are of a very high standard. For travellers wanting, or needing, to stay in the centre of Harare, this is probably the best base there is.

Tom Morris

Tom Morris

Country manager: Zimbabwe

Accommodation

312 rooms

Children

Fine for all ages

Open

All year

Traveller reviews of Meikles Hotel

1 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


80%
1 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
0
Good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Ms HfromHammersmith

Arrived 16 Aug 2016, 2 nights

"Meikles Hotel review"

"Dominic stayed here on his own and chose it for old times sake. It was he …" Read Ms H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

EH familyfromSW London

Arrived 17 Apr 2012, 1 nights

"review"

"Very comfortable after a long day travelling. Staff extremely friendly …" Read EH family’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

See all Meikles Hotel reviews

Meikles Hotel: Our full report

The Meikles Hotel, located in the heart of Harare overlooking the Africa Unity Square Park, is perhaps the ...

... Zimbabwean capital’s most famous hotel. Despite its 100 years plus history, the hotel has managed to keep up to date and still offers a high-quality, international-style stay.

The five-star hotel, which celebrated its centenary in 2015, has long been a landmark for locals and travellers to Zimbabwe. Over the years, members of the Expert Africa team have stayed here many times – although more recently we have only been in for a day visit.

The Meikles’ 312 rooms are split across two multi-storey wings: the North and the South. Though still traditional in feel, they have in recent years adopted a rather modern design alongside touches of colonial décor, especially in the entirely renovated North Wing.

The rooms differ in style depending on the wing, but common to both are the Park Suites, all with great views of Africa Unity Square Park and combining luxurious comfort with personalised service. Each suite features a bedroom with private lounge and a bathroom including shower and bath. Guests in the suites benefit from a butler service, with tea/coffee delivered each morning, as well as a trouser press, and an express laundry service. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the hotel and all rooms in both wings are air conditioned.

We tend to recommend the more modern rooms in the North Wing, especially the Club Rooms, which feature colourful hand-painted fabrics in the colours of the Zimbabwe flag. In this wing, the rooms and suites are divided into six types:

  • Deluxe Rooms are available with twin or double beds, and all have a bathroom equipped with either a bath or a shower, or both. A minibar, safe, telephone, air conditioning, satellite TV and a hairdryer come as standard.
  • Deluxe Park View Rooms offer the same facilities as the Deluxe Rooms, but they overlook the historical Africa Unity Square Park.
  • The elegant Club Rooms offer a very personalised service to travellers, with access to the Club Lounge. This has its own kitchen, a library, a satellite TV, tea/coffee-making facilities and a bar service. The Club manager and staff are on hand to help you with any requests.
  • Club Park View Rooms offer the same services and facilities as the Club Rooms, but overlook the park.
  • The Imperial Suite offers two separate en-suite bedrooms, three balconies with great views, a spacious lounge and a dining room. Guests also benefit from all same services as the Club Suites.
  • The Presidential Suite includes a sitting room, TV viewing area, dining area, private balconies, boardroom, kitchenette with supplied chef, and a main bedroom with spacious en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. A second bedroom with its own shower room and lounge is suitable for security or administrative staff.
Rooms in the South Wing are modern and comfortable but with a colonial ambience from mahogany furnishings and muted earth colours:
  • Standard Rooms include either twin or double beds, a bathroom with bath/shower combination and tea/coffee-making facilities. Some rooms have interleading doors, making them suitable for family groups.
  • The Standard Park View Rooms include the same facilities and services as the Standard Rooms, but overlook Africa Unity Square Park.
  • Two Honeymoon Suites each feature a four-poster bed. Guests are presented with flowers, fruit and snack platters on arrival.
  • The Royal Suite is stylish and modern with two separate entrances, two en-suite bedrooms, a walk-in closet, a spacious lounge and a dining room.
At the hub of the hotel is a large main area that incorporates a tea lounge, a restaurant, two bars, a gym, a swimming pool, a shop and a business centre.

Dining at Meikles starts at La Fontaine Restaurant, which has been the hotel's main restaurant since 1958 and was celebrating its 60th year on our visit in October 2018. While it has been refurbished and updated over the years, it remains traditional in style, with an extensive, upmarket grill-house menu.

The adjoining Can-Can Cocktail Bar, which is open to hotel and restaurant guests only, is a good spot for a pre- or after-dinner drink. Its offerings include a wide range of whiskies, including a 20-year-old Benriach and an 18-year-old Jameson Special Reserve.

There is also the more casual Explorer's Club, kitted out in colonial style, where you can get pub lunches, daily specials and an array of light meals.

For afternoon tea, look no further than the Tanganda Tea Lounge, where fresh pastries, bagels and scones jostle for attention among a selection of teas and coffees, but strictly no alcohol.

Finally there’s the Pavilion Bistro. The most recent addition to the hotel’s dining scene, it’s located on the first floor with views of the hotel’s rooftop garden and on to African Unity Square Park. The alfresco terrace where guests can enjoy buffet breakfast and dinner complements an indoor dining area.

Meikles Hotel has a well-equipped gym with a range of modern equipment. After a hard workout you can cool off in the swimming pool on the 14th floor (roof) of the South Wing, which is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, or relax in privacy on the deck – perhaps with a cocktail.

Retail therapy comes in the form of a smart shop. Here you'll find a range of gifts, including fine silver pieces by Zimbabwe's renowned artisan Patrick Mavros, alongside more everyday items such as books, newspapers, magazines and toiletries.

The presence of a 24-hour business centre reveals the strong business-hotel credentials of the Meikles. Facilities include computers for guest use, a fast broadband internet connection and assistance with laptop, cellphone and conference equipment rentals.

There aren't any activities organised at the Meikles – this is very much a city hotel. That said, while Harare is a buzzy African capital with museums, theatres, parks and shops, we tend to find that there isn’t a lot to detain visitors and the hotel is generally used only as a one-night stop to make flight connections or recover from/prepare for long-haul flights.

In our experience the city centre is generally safe to explore during the day - but ask our team for the latest advice on this and, as for any country, we'd always suggest that you read the FCO advice on Zimbabwe before venturing out on your own, and consider arranging a driver-guide for the day.

Geographics

Location
Harare, Zimbabwe
Ideal length of stay
Most travellers use Harare as a one-night stop, for which the Meikles is a good option.
Directions
The entrance to the Meikles Hotel is on Speke Avenue in the central business district of Harare, approx. a 25 minute drive from Harare International Airport, depending on traffic.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
Although we visited the Meikles in October 2018, we have not eaten here for some time. Since the various restaurants have been upgraded and new options have opened we would expect that most guests will be able to find something they like at the hotel. Alternatively, as the hotel is so central, guests can arrange to eat out if they wish.

For dinner, the hotel recommends budgeting around US$100 per head for a three-course meal at La Fontaine, with options ranging from salads and soups to seafood, steaks, curries and pasta. Desserts are severed from a dessert trolley.

Alternatively the Pavilion Bistro offers a buffet dinner from US$27 per head, excluding drinks.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room service is available.
Drinks included
No drinks are not included in you stay here.

Children

Attitude towards children
The Meikles welcomes all children.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
None
Equipment
None
Generally recommended for children
We consider that the hotel is fine for children of all ages.
Notes
The Meikles is a large international-style hotel and is pretty safe for children but with an unfenced and unguarded pool and the risk of getting lost we recommend that children are supervised at all times.

Communications

Power supply notes
There are charging stations in all the rooms.
Communications
Meikles has WiFi throughout – and a business centre to help with printing and other communications.
TV & radio
All the rooms have satellite TV.
Water supply
Mains
Water supply notes
All rooms have hot and cold running water and flush toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
There are various hospitals in the vicinity of the hotel which would be able to treat the majority of ailments. For anything very serious medical evacuation by air to Johannesburg can be arranged.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
There are guards and doormen on site 24 hours a day and the rooms are all accessed by key card.
Fire safety
There are fire hoses and extinguishers throughout the hotel.

Activities

    Extras

    Disabled access
    On Request
    Laundry facilities
    There is a good laundry service. For some rooms this is charged, but some of the suites have this included as part of the cost.
    Money
    Each room/suite has a small electronic safe for valuables.
    Accepted payment on location
    The hotel accepts Visa and Mastercard, but note that card fees can be significant. As such we generally suggest making any payment in US dollars cash, although we understand that other currencies will often be accepted on a locally agreed foreign exchange rate.

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    Meikles Hotel's location

    Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Meikles Hotel.


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    When to go to Harare

    Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Meikles Hotel in Harare


    Jan

    Feb

    Mar

    Apr

    May

    Jun

    Jul

    Aug

    Sep

    Oct

    Nov

    Dec

    Zimbabwe in January

    January falls in the middle of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and is the wettest month of the year. Heavy rainfall occurs most days, flooding seasonal rivers and waterholes, with the occasional sunny spell.
    With the high levels of precipitation the wildlife in the national parks becomes widely dispersed, taking advantage of the abundance of food and water, and is easily hidden by the thick, green bush.

    While sightings of larger animals are possible, and many species drop their young at this time, game viewing is often sparse. However, many migratory species of bird arrive in Zimbabwe making it a peak month for birding.

    The rains create incredibly sticky mud in Mana Pools National Park, preventing access and causing camps to close for the season. The majority of the camps in other parks remain open, with low rates attracting a smattering of visitors.

    • Peak of the rainy season: hot & humid with heavy rain most days
    • Bush exceptionally thick and green, with poor game viewing
    • Species such as impala drop their young
    • All camps in Mana Pools closed
    • Very few visitors, and low rates at open camps

    Our view

    A time to avoid if possible

    Weather in January

    Zimbabwe in February

    February remains well within Zimbabwe’s rainy season. Although total rainfall drops, relatively short thunderstorms can still be expected most afternoons. On the plus side, there is a greater chance of some sunshine in-between.

    Much of the country remains waterlogged, closing access to Mana Pools and severely restricting walking safaris in other parks. While game drives and canoeing remain an option, the abundance of water disperses animals, and thick grass can make it difficult to spot larger species, but birding remains excellent. Conversely, this is a great time of year to view the landscape, and is excellent for photographers. Sporadic cloud cover and clear air can make for some spectacular sunsets too, particularly over Lake Kariba and the Zambezi River where the reflections off the water add to the beauty.

    • Generally wet with frequent thunderstorms & hot humid days
    • Poor wildlife viewing due to dispersed animals & thick bush
    • Clear air, green landscapes & exceptional sunsets
    • All camps in Mana Pools closed
    • Very few visitors & low rates at camps that are open

    Our view

    This is not a great time to visit

    Weather in February

    Zimbabwe in March

    March is the final month of Zimbabwe’s rainy season, when the rains start to trail off and sunny days become the norm. However, some days the clouds can still build, breaking into thunderstorms in the afternoon.

    Mana Pools remains closed throughout the month but the majority of camps in Hwange, Matusadona and Gonarezhou remain open. Here, the landscape is green and alive, with migrant species of birds taking advantage of the abundant insect life. Larger animals remain elusive though, and walking safaris remain restricted.

    By this time of year, the rains have normally trickled down to the Zambezi River and the flow of water over the Victoria Falls starts to increase, but without kicking up too much spray to obscure the views.

    • Last month of the rainy season: hot, humid days with occasional storms
    • Lush vegetation means good birding, but poor game viewing
    • Views of the Victoria Falls improve
    • All camps in Mana Pools closed
    • Open camps have few visitors & low rates

    Our view

    This is not a great time to visit

    Weather in March

    Zimbabwe in April

    April marks the end of Zimbabwe’s rainy season and the end of summer. Clear skies are the norm, with just the occasional shower. Temperatures start to drop, failing to reach 30ºC most days and dropping down to around 10ºC at night.

    As the rain fades the landscape starts to dry out. While the vegetation remains thick and green, the soil in Mana Pools dries enough for camps to open, and the only camps to remain closed are the most remote bushcamps in Hwange. Although viewing of larger animals remains tricky, the improved weather starts to draw back visitors, as do prices significantly below those in the peak season.

    The Zambezi River and flow of water over the Victoria Falls is at its highest, although large amounts of spray diminish views of the waterfall itself.

    • Transitional period, with much lower rainfall & falling temperatures
    • Wildlife is still dispersed & hard to see, but sightings improving
    • Views of the Victoria Falls often obscured by spray
    • Camps in Mana Pools open
    • Visitors start to return & camps increase their rates

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in April

    Zimbabwe in May

    The first month in the dry season, May is also Zimbabwe’s first month of winter. If the rains are particularly late in a given year, you may catch the odd shower, but you can expect clear and sunny days the majority of the time. While it’s warm in the daytime, temperatures drop to single digits at night, so bring a warm jumper and gloves for early morning drives.

    With the rain having cleared the air, the sky is bright blue, and it’s the best time of year for photography.

    Even the most remote camps in Zimbabwe are now open. With the lack of rainfall, vegetation dies back significantly, and seasonal rivers return to sand. Not only does this open up the possibility of walking safaris, but wildlife viewing becomes much more reliable.

    • Start of the dry season, with milder days and cold nights
    • Game viewing significantly improves as vegetation dies back
    • Vegetation starts to turn from green to brown
    • Best time for photography with crystal clear air
    • Visitors start to return; all camps open & rates increasing

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in May

    Zimbabwe in June

    During June you can virtually be guaranteed of dry and sunny days, although temperatures continue to drop, and can get close to freezing at night in Hwange National Park. Jumpers, jackets and gloves are strongly recommended for early mornings and evenings.

    The opportunities for wildlife viewing improve throughout the month as the landscape rapidly dries, and the animals start to gather on the banks of the Zambezi River and around Hwange’s waterholes.

    Water levels in the Zambezi River start to drop, reducing the amount of spray kicked up at the Victoria Falls and greatly improving visibility, but still allowing a full curtain of water to cascade over the edge.

    • Middle of winter, with night-time temperatures close to freezing
    • Game viewing significantly improves throughout the month
    • Views of the Victoria Falls are at their best
    • Noticeable increase in visitor numbers
    • Camps considerably more expensive

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in June

    Zimbabwe in July

    July sits in the middle of Zimbabwe’s dry season. Although it’s warm at midday, temperatures are generally cold and in Hwange it’s been known to drop below freezing at night, with the lower-altitude Mana Pools feeling a bit warmer.

    With wildlife clustering around the few remaining waterholes, sparse vegetation, and some of the best views of the Victoria Falls, this is one of the most popular times to travel, with camps charging peak season rates to reflect this. That said, visitor numbers to the country in general remain low, and outside of the Victoria Falls it’s rare for any areas to feel crowded.

    • Middle of the dry season with almost no chance of rain
    • Clear sunny days, but very cold nights
    • Wildlife viewing good; game drives and walking safaris unrestricted
    • Views of the Victoria Falls at their best
    • Camps charging peak season rates

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in July

    Zimbabwe in August

    While August is the end of winter and temperatures are starting to creep up, mornings and nights are still cold, and game drives in open vehicles can feel particularly chilly. Well into the dry season, the landscapes will have mostly transformed from green to brown and wildlife viewing in Zimbabwe’s national parks is approaching its best. Due to dust kicked up into the atmosphere and smoke from bush fires you may start to notice a haze on the horizon, but this doesn’t significantly impact photography.

    August is one of the most expensive months, and the pleasant weather and decent game viewing attracts lots of visitors. While the national parks rarely feel crowded, Victoria Falls accommodation can sell out a year in advance.

    • Warm, sunny days but cold mornings & nights; almost no chance of rain
    • Wildlife viewing nearly at its best
    • Landscape turns brown, & an atmospheric haze develops
    • All camps charging peak season rates

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in August

    Zimbabwe in September

    Temperatures in September rarely drop below 15ºC, but are yet to reach the oppressive highs of summer. It will normally have been five months since the last drop of rain, so antelope and elephants cluster around whatever water remains, with predators never too far away.

    The landscape is very brown, and the haze building on the horizon takes some of the colour out of the sky, so while animal subjects are plentiful, the background is not ideal for photography.

    The combination of incredible wildlife viewing, hot and sunny weather, and cheaper flights outside of the school holidays make this the most popular time of year to travel, and availability at the camps can become limited up to a year in advance.

    • The best month for weather, with a pleasantly warm temperature range
    • One of the best months for game viewing
    • Victoria Falls starting to dry but still impressive on Zimbabwean side
    • All camps are charging peak season rates
    • Most popular time to travel, & space can be limited

    Our view

    Fantastic: the very best time to visit

    Weather in September

    Zimbabwe in October

    October is the last month of the dry season with little chance of rain but building humidity. While the higher elevation of Hwange National Park limits temperatures to the 30s Celsius, they can easily top 40ºC in Mana Pools.

    With little vegetation or water, wildlife is drawn to the few remaining water sources and viewing is at its best; visitors who brave the heat can be rewarded with some exceptional sightings, although haze in the air diminishes photos. Maximum visibility and dense wildlife concentrations can also make for very rewarding walking safaris, although the heat can make them uncomfortable.

    Water levels in the Zambezi at the Victoria Falls drop significantly, and large stretches of the waterfall are a dry cliff-face – although it never dries completely. Camp rates remain at their peak, but visitor numbers drop as people avoid the heat.

    • Last month of the dry season; very hot with building humidity
    • Wildlife viewing at its very best
    • Dust & smoke in the air diminish photographic opportunities
    • Victoria Falls starting to look very dry
    • Camp rates remain at their peak

    Our view

    A very good time to visit

    Weather in October

    Zimbabwe in November

    November is a transitionary period, with high temperatures and humidity. While they can’t be predicted with any precision, the first rains normally arrive halfway through the month, in the form of thunderstorms lasting a few hours each day.

    Early November is a popular time to travel as the camps drop their rates, so if you’re lucky you can get peak-season game viewing at low-season rates. This is a gamble though as if the rains do arrive, animals are no longer limited to a few dangerous waterholes and will disperse into the bush. While all the camps in Mana Pools intend to remain open, the rains can make the airstrips unusable so you may find yourself moved to a different park, a risk that increases through the month.

    • Typically the start of the rains in Zimbabwe
    • Temperatures & humidity levels remain high
    • Wildlife viewing rapidly diminishes as the rains arrive
    • Camps remain open, but risk early closure in Mana Pools
    • Much cheaper time to travel as camps drop their rates

    Our view

    A good time to visit, with pros & cons

    Weather in November

    Zimbabwe in December

    By December the rainy season has begun in earnest; this is one of the wettest months in Zimbabwe, with heavy thunderstorms most afternoons and occasionally continuous rain for a couple of days. While temperatures start to cool down the high levels of humidity can make the heat feel more oppressive.

    With the rains comes an explosion of green growth, and the dust and smoke are washed out of the air. The resulting scenery – with the occasional bright blue skies – can be fantastic for photographers. Thick vegetation and plentiful water makes viewing of larger animals tricky, but with migratory species arriving the birding is at its best.

    All camps in Mana Pools and the remote Hwange camps close, with those remaining open charging their lowest rates.

    • One of the wettest months in Zimbabwe
    • High temperatures & levels of humidity
    • Wildlife viewing poor, but birding good
    • Lush green landscapes & clear air; great for landscape photography
    • All camps in Mana Pools closed

    Our view

    This is not a great time to visit

    Weather in December

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