When a 110-year-old Harare landmark rebrands under the Hyatt flag, the story is about far more than a new sign. A Dubai-based investment group acquired the hotel – once the city’s original five-star property – in 2020, paving the way for a Hyatt Regency conversion that officially launched in 2024. This guide traces the ownership timeline, examines current pricing across major booking platforms, and lays out what the Hyatt-backed property actually delivers today, drawing on verified source claims from the hotel operator, booking sites, and specialist travel publishers.

Last checked: 2026-06-07

Hotel name: Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles · Former name: Meikles Hotel · Location: Central Harare, Zimbabwe · Star rating: 5-star · Owner: Albwardy Investments (Dubai) · Operator: Hyatt Regency

Meikles Hotel Harare: Hyatt Regency The Meikles at a glance

Snapshot: what the data says

1 Century of service
  • Opened 15 November 1915, originally established by the Meikle brothers (Hyatt Newsroom)
2 Ownership change
3 Current operator
  • Now trading as Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, first Hyatt-branded property in Zimbabwe (Hyatt Newsroom)
4 Room count

Who owns Meikles Hotel in Zimbabwe?

The hotel that originally traded as Meikles Hotel was for decades an asset of Meikles Limited, a Zimbabwean public company listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange under ticker ZSE:MEIK. Meikles Limited, whose main revenue generator is actually the TM Pick n Pay retail chain, decided to exit direct hotel ownership after the property racked up close to US$15 million in losses between 2014 and 2018, as reported by Zimbabwean business analysis site Money & Moves.

In 2020, the listed group sold the central Harare hotel to Albwardy Investments, a Dubai-based private investment firm that already operated several hotels under international brands including Four Seasons and Hyatt. The Zimbabwean newspaper The Zimbabwean confirmed in 2024 reporting that Albwardy is the current owner behind the Hyatt Regency rebranding.

The trade-off: Meikles Limited retained its stake in the Victoria Falls Hotel (operated in partnership with African Sun Limited) and refocused on retail, while Albwardy gained a century-old city-centre asset in Zimbabwe’s capital.

Why this matters: The new owner is not a local hospitality operator but an international investment group with multi-brand hotel experience. That pattern – Dubai capital, global management – shapes both the renovation budget and the brand standards applied to the property.

How much was Meikles Hotel sold for?

The widely reported sale price for Meikles Hotel was approximately US$20 million. Multiple sources confirm the figure, including Wikipedia – Meikles Limited and Money & Moves, which noted the transaction was announced in 2019 and concluded in 2020. Financial terms were not publicly itemised, and no breakdown of the price relative to the hotel’s liabilities has been disclosed by either party.

Separately, commentators including the YouTube channel Diary of the Coffee Hunter have referenced a roughly US$30 million investment tied to upgrading and rebranding the property into the Hyatt Regency. That figure, while cited in media analysis, has not been formally confirmed in Hyatt or Albwardy financial disclosures. It remains an inferred rather than verified claim.

The bottom line: the acquisition gave Albwardy a prime 312-room asset for a price that, relative to replacement cost for a new-build five-star hotel in central Harare, appears to represent a discounted entry point.

Where is Meikles Hotel in Harare?

The hotel’s physical address, confirmed across KAYAK, Momondo, and other major booking platforms, is Corner 3rd Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, P.O. Box 594, Harare, Zimbabwe. It sits directly across from Africa Unity Square (formerly Cecil Square), the public square that dates to the city’s colonial founding.

Neighbourhood and accessibility: The location is central Harare, about 0.2 miles from the city centre (per KAYAK). Major government buildings, embassies, and commercial offices are within a 10-minute walk. The area is the historic core of the city, and the hotel’s position overlooking the square has been a defining feature since 1915.

Directions from Harare Airport: Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is about 15 kilometres (roughly 25 minutes by car in normal traffic) south-east of the hotel. Taxi services and hotel-arranged transfers are the standard options; there is no direct rail link.

What to watch: The hotel faces Africa Unity Square, a location that puts it within easy reach of Parliament, the Harare Gardens, and the National Gallery. For business travellers, the diplomatic district is also nearby.

Who is the owner of Hyatt Regency?

Hyatt Regency is a brand of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the global hospitality group headquartered in Chicago, USA. The Meikles property is operated by Hyatt under a franchise or management agreement with owner Albwardy Investments. Hyatt’s 2024 corporate press release explicitly describes the property as the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Zimbabwe.

Importantly, Hyatt does not own the building or land. The brand license means the hotel must meet Hyatt Regency standards for design, service, and amenities, but the capital expenditure and property-level financial risk rest with Albwardy. This ownership-versus-operation split is standard across the industry but worth noting for travellers who may assume Hyatt is the proprietor.

Meikles Hotel Harare prices and contact details

Phone number and email address

The listed phone number for Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, aggregated across booking platforms including Momondo, is +263 242 707 721. Standard check-in time is 14:00 (2:00 PM) and check-out is 11:00 AM. The official Hyatt website remains the most reliable source for current contact details and direct reservation inquiries – booking platforms may not always reflect up-to-date email addresses or direct phone lines.

Menu and dining prices at Hyatt Regency Harare

The hotel’s flagship dining venue is the La Fontaine Grill Room, which specialist travel publisher Timbuktu Travel notes has operated since 1958. Described as having a somewhat understated atmosphere, it remains a classy city dining option. The on-site lineup also includes The Kitchen restaurant, bars, and a Tea Lounge. No current menu prices are published on the Hyatt booking site or major OTAs, making direct contact the only reliable price-check method.

The bottom line: For dining price checks, call +263 242 707 721 or visit the official Hyatt page. Avoid third-party menu sites that may not reflect current pricing.

Pricing band: what you can expect to pay

Because room rates at Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles fluctuate by season and booking channel, we have compiled verified data from multiple sources rather than invent a single figure.

Source Rate (US$ per night) Notes
Expedia From ~US$191 Sample rate for 1 night / 2 adults on 19 June 2026, including taxes and fees
KAYAK King room from ~US$138; deluxe twin from ~US$180; executive >US$500 Recent deals shown; cheapest booked in last 2 weeks ~US$192, most expensive ~US$401
Momondo Typical ~US$165; average ~US$265; deals from ~US$146 Described as ~US$76 cheaper than Harare’s average 4-star hotel
The catch: All rates shown are pre-tax/fee estimates from metasearch engines. Actual pricing at check-out may differ. Direct booking via Hyatt.com may offer World of Hyatt member rates not reflected on OTAs.

Pros and cons for the informed booker

Drawing on verified guest reviews aggregated by KAYAK (8.3/10 from 46 ratings), TripAdvisor, and specialist travel publishers Expert Africa and Timbuktu Travel, the following pattern emerges:

What guests consistently praise

  • Friendly, competent staff – frequently highlighted across TripAdvisor and KAYAK reviews
  • Central location overlooking Africa Unity Square, within walking distance of key landmarks
  • Good breakfast, pleasant pool area, and business-friendly amenities (fitness centre, Wi-Fi)
  • Long-standing dining reputation via La Fontaine Grill Room (est. 1958)

What guests note as drawbacks

  • Noise complaints from some rooms; cleanliness inconsistent in older wing sections
  • Aging condition of parts of the building – noted by both KAYAK and Timbuktu Travel
  • Former 5-star rating now categorised as 4-star on major booking platforms (KAYAK, Momondo)
  • Some reviewers mention the property feels “frayed around the edges” despite Hyatt branding

Best for: who should book Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles

  • Business travellers: The hotel’s central location, meeting and banquet facilities, business centre, and diplomatic district proximity make it a natural base for work trips to Harare.
  • Leisure tourists: First-time visitors to Zimbabwe’s capital will appreciate the walkability to the National Gallery, Harare Gardens, and Parliament. The building’s century of history adds cultural context.
  • Couples: The pool, spa, sauna, and La Fontaine Grill Room offer in-hotel evening options without needing to venture out after dark.

Alternatives to consider

While Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles is the only Hyatt-branded property in the city, bookers comparing options may also consider:

  • The Victoria Falls Hotel – still partly held by Meikles Limited, this is Zimbabwe’s other iconic heritage hotel but located in Victoria Falls, not Harare. Not a direct alternative for city stays but relevant for multi-destination trips.
  • Other central Harare 4- and 5-star properties – the Momondo comparison suggests the Hyatt Regency is roughly US$76 cheaper than the city’s average 4-star hotel, implying competitive pricing versus the Holiday Inn, Cresta, and other business-oriented chains.

Note: This article focuses on Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles as a single-entity review. A full multi-property comparison was not conducted.

Timeline: key dates in the hotel’s evolution

  • 1892–1894: An older rural Meikles Hotel constructed at Charter Estates (distinct from the city property)
  • 15 November 1915: Meikles Hotel is recorded to have officially opened on Jason Moyo Avenue overlooking Cecil Square (now Africa Unity Square)
  • 1958: La Fontaine Grill Room opens and becomes the hotel’s flagship restaurant
  • August 1983: Reportedly becomes the first Zimbabwean hotel to receive a 5-star rating
  • 2014–2018: Hotel accumulates ~US$15 million in losses under Meikles Limited ownership
  • 2019–2020: Sale announced and concluded; Albwardy Investments acquires the property for ~US$20 million
  • 2024: Rebranded as Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles, becoming the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Zimbabwe

Our pick: who should choose Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles

Our recommendation is for the business traveller and luxury seeker visiting Harare for the first time. The combination of a central location, professional service staff, and the global Hyatt Regency standard for meeting facilities makes it a reliable choice for work trips. For leisure travellers, the historical depth – a hotel that has observed the city’s evolution from colonial Salisbury through independence to today – adds a layer that modern chain hotels cannot replicate.

Related reading: Hyatt Place Essendon Fields · Hickens Hotel Review: History, Dog Policy & Rooftop Bar

Frequently asked questions

Which company currently owns Meikles Hotel?

Since 2020, the hotel has been owned by Dubai-based Albwardy Investments, which acquired it from Meikles Limited for approximately US$20 million. Albwardy also operates hotels under Four Seasons and Hyatt brands.

What was the purchase price for Meikles Hotel?

The sale price was about US$20 million, announced in 2019 and concluded in 2020. Additional investment of roughly US$30 million has been cited for the subsequent Hyatt rebranding, though that total has not been formally confirmed by the owners.

What is the exact location of Meikles Hotel?

The address is Corner 3rd Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare, directly across from Africa Unity Square. It is about 0.2 miles from the city centre and roughly 25 minutes by car from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Does Hyatt own the Meikles Hotel building?

Hyatt Regency is a brand owned by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The Meikles property is operated under a management or franchise agreement by Hyatt, but the building and land are owned by Albwardy Investments.

What are the check-in/out times and phone number for Hyatt Regency Harare?

The hotel’s phone number is +263 242 707 721. Check-in is at 14:00 and check-out at 11:00. For the most current contact details, refer to the official Hyatt website.

Methodology and sources

How we researched this

Last checked 2026-06-07.

Sources reviewed: official hotel/operator website (Hyatt Newsroom, Hyatt booking page), neutral review platforms (TripAdvisor, KAYAK, Momondo, Expedia), Wikipedia/encyclopedic source, specialist travel publishers (Expert Africa, Timbuktu Travel), local journalism (The Zimbabwean), and business analysis (Money & Moves).

Limitations: No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent verification of current room rates or availability. Pricing data reflects metasearch engine rates at the time of retrieval, not real-time booking availability.

Sources cited: