For decades, the skyline of Zimbabwean hospitality was defined by the reliable, yet often predictable, silhouettes of corporately owned chain hotels. These establishments long served as the backbone of our tourism industry, offering a standardized comfort that business travellers and first-time tourists craved. However, as the regional and global traveller evolves, we are witnessing a burgeoning shift to the Zimbabwean offering too: that is the rise of the boutique hotels, lodges and camps.
Beyond the scripted greeting
For me, the appeal of boutique hospitality lies in the departure from the "manual." While large chains excel at consistency, boutique properties, like those emerging in the suburbs of Harare, the hidden corners of Victoria Falls or the mountainous terrains of the Eastern Highlands for example, seemingly excel at connection.
My penchant for boutique stays, checking into an owner-run lodge or bringing international guests on excursions that unearth the spirit of Zimbabwe through her places and people, lies in the fact that it almost immediately becomes apparent that you aren't just a number; you are a guest in a home that has been curated with a specific vision. The hospitality is unscripted. It is found in the hand-selected local art on the walls, the menu inspired by the owner’s family recipes, and the staff who speak of the property with a sense of "we" rather than "them." This intimacy is the new luxury and one that any avid traveller will with time, come to appreciate.
The power of legacy
There is a profound difference between a property managed by a board of directors and one managed by a family or an individual visionary. In the boutique space, legacy is the primary currency.These owners are often the architects of their own dreams, transforming family estates or historic buildings into sanctuaries of style. When a property is privately owned, the stakes are inherently personal. There is a "heightened sense of stewardship”, not just for the brand being created, but for the land and the community it inhabits. This owner-run perspective ensures that the soul of the property remains intact and undiluted by the pressures of global corporate scaling.
Shaping a new tourism frontier
This shift is doing more than just providing better pillows and linen; it is fundamentally reshaping Zimbabwe’s tourism identity. We are witnessing the diversification of portfolios, where boutique lodges, guesthouses and even camps are popping up in non-traditional tourism hubs, inviting travellers to explore the "lived-in" beauty of our cities, local neighbourhoods and cultural experiences.
- AAT adds Vic Falls Spa in post-pandemic strategy
- Feature: Insects, solution to Africa’s malnutrition and food problems
- Feature: Insects, solution to Africa’s malnutrition and food problems
- Feature: Insects, solution to Africa’s malnutrition and food problems
Keep Reading
Then there is the subject of economic agility, especially in markets deems as volatile as that of Zimbabwe. Interviewing countless property owners over the years has reinforced the fact that smaller, agile properties often have a more direct impact on local supply chains, sourcing everything from furniture to farm-to-table produce from within the community as much as possible.
The term "Slow Travel" remains a movement that will likely remain very much on trend for seasons to come. By offering unique, character-filled environments, these properties encourage guests to stay longer, engage deeper, and move away from the checklist style of tourism.
As we look toward the future of Zimbabwean hospitality, it is clear that the "bigger is better" era is being challenged by the "smaller is deeper" movement. In choosing boutique, guests are choosing to participate in a story rather than just booking a stay.
If you haven’t already, catch the full story in motion as we share a host of experiences during our travels across Zimbabwe, where you will see the heart of this boutique revolution for yourself. Episode 3 of the Travel Essence with Yvonne Show, is now live on HSTV’s YouTube channel, where we step inside these exquisite sanctuaries, from the misty heights of the Eastern Highlands to the sun-drenched banks of the Zambezi, and meet the visionary owners who are redefining what it means to welcome the world to Zimbabwe through the lenses of boutique hospitality.
Yvonne C Mtengwa is the Founder/Editor-in-Chief of the award-winning Travel Essence Magazine, a Communications Strategist by profession, with an avid passion for discovering Africa and the Middle East’s iconic landscapes through her travels. Connect with and follow her travel, tourism, and lifestyle experiences on: IG @Quintessentially_yvonne. Journey with her across Zimbabwe on the Travel Essence with Yvonne Show, airing on YouTube, in proud partnership with Heart and Soul TV.
