
Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands is set to become the first Hilton‑branded property in Zimbabwe, signaling the chain’s move into a market that has seen a steady rise in international visitors.
Signing marks Hilton’s entry into Zimbabwe
The announcement was made at ZimReal, Zimbabwe’s leading property investment forum, where Hilton partnered with local developer Terrace Africa to launch the upscale focused‑service hotel. The agreement places the brand inside the Highlands Precinct, a mixed‑use project that blends offices, retail, residences and conference spaces.
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Location and design of the new hotel
Located in Harare’s established residential and diplomatic district, the site sits roughly 20 to 25 kilometres from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. The proximity offers convenient access to commercial hubs, embassies and cultural venues across the capital.
The 140‑room hotel will feature suites aimed at business and leisure travelers seeking upscale yet affordable accommodation. Amenities include an all‑day dining restaurant with a terrace, a lobby café and bar, a gym, a pool with a terrace and meeting rooms for conferences or small events.
“Entering Zimbabwe marks an important milestone in Hilton’s continued expansion across Africa and reflects our confidence in the country’s long‑term hospitality potential,” said Carlos Khneisser, chief development officer for the Middle East & Africa. “With Zimbabwe welcoming more than 1.7 million international arrivals in 2025 and Harare serving as a key commercial, diplomatic and regional gateway, we see strong opportunity to bring Hilton Garden Inn to a market where demand from business and leisure travellers continues to grow.”
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Brett Abrahamse, director of Terrace Africa, said the Highlands Precinct “has been designed as a connected urban destination that reflects Harare’s growth and evolving lifestyle needs.” He added that partnering with Hilton “is a defining milestone for the precinct and reinforces our ambition to create high‑quality, mixed‑use environments that serve residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
The signing builds on Hilton’s strong momentum across Africa, where the global hospitality company currently has more than 70 trading hotels and over 100 in the pipeline, more than half of which are located in Sub‑Saharan Africa.