Masvingo’s Great Zimbabwe Hotel welcomes day visitors and provides several activities to keep your family busy.
On a Sunday in September, we decided to make our way to Masvingo’s Great Zimbabwe Hotel. We had last visited the hotel two years prior and so we knew there was a playground for Judah and shady spots for us to sit and sip our drinks by the pool.
A friendly security guard greeted us at the entrance gate. He sprayed our hands with sanitiser and took our temperatures. Following the road past the restaurant and the tennis courts, we made our way to a parking spot under wonderfully large shady trees.
The premises were very quiet, so we could pick the best spot to sit near the pool, under a thatched umbrella and with a great view of the playground.
I cannot emphasize enough how friendly the staff at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel were. Everyone greeted us, and no request was too much. I draw attention to this because we had a small issue with our drinks order. I wanted a lime and soda, but the server wasn’t sure what I was talking about regarding ‘lime cordial’. Despite this, he cheerfully walked to and from the bar several times showing me what my options were and trying to find a solution. In the end, I settled for five slices of lemon in my soda water. It was delicious and I think I’ve found my new favourite drink!
Covid-19 Precautions
As per Covid-19 precautions, all staff members wore their masks. At no time did I see any staff member without theirs. This is a point to labour because, in Zimbabwe, it is a constant battle getting people to wear their masks.
Important note: I forgot our swimming costumes at home but just as well because their Covid-19 precautions include a policy that only hotel guests may use the pool.
What we ordered (and paid for):
1x Strawberry milkshake
2x Pepsi Light
1x Soda and lemon slices
1x Plate of chips
Comments: The portion of chips was generous and it came with a large salad drizzled in a dressing. So, even though we bought the chips for Judah to snack on, we all ended up having some.
Note: The plate of chips and salad arrived wrapped in plastic. You may question whether the food is wrapped in plastic for Covid-19 reasons. However, over the years we have visited this hotel, they have always wrapped their food in plastic. I assume it is to keep the food warm and to prevent any contamination or servers pinching a chip on the way from the kitchen to the poolside. Hopefully, they will implement a new strategy as a more earth-friendly approach filters its way through the African continent.
Conclusion
As a resident of the area, (you can find out more about us here) I would happily visit the Great Zimbabwe Hotel again, and again. It is a safe and pretty place to take your family for the day. I am interested in booking into the hotel. From the outside, the rooms looked clean and tidy and from a tourist’s perspective, the hotel is situated close to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Sikato Bay Lion Park, Lake Mutirikwi Wall, and several other accommodation spots.
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