Review of Bronte Hotel, Harare

In the bustling capital city of Zimbabwe there is a respected hotel that offers a restful refuge for business and safari travellers alike.

The Bronte Hotel, whose origins may be traced back to 1911, is an attractive white-washed Cape Dutch-style building with later additions forming a 102-bedroom complex with various amenities. It is conveniently situated some 25 minutes from RG Mugabe International Airport in a downtown location although the hotel has a restful atmosphere. The hotel is securely enclosed within a perimeter wall with all visitors passing through a guarded gate post. There is parking just beyond the gate and reception is just a few steps away. Check in was efficient and upon request a WiFi password is issued.

Walking from reception to the accommodation, one has the first glimpse of the hotel’s delightful gardens that fill a quadrangle with an array of flowers, shrubs and trees whose branches offer welcoming shade to the guests and walk-in patrons having al fresco business lunches and coffee meetings. Shona sculptural works, which the country is famous for, are displayed between the fish ponds and outdoor seating. This serene setting was described as an ‘oasis of tranquility’ by one guest and it is certainly a treat to be in the heart of a capital city with only the sound of birdsong being heard.

The covered walkways around the gardens lead to the accommodation that is set across three floors. There is a choice of standard and superior rooms plus some executive suites on the upper floors. The ground floor standard rooms with a queen size or twin beds are well presented, clean and all have air conditioning plus ceiling fan. Rooms have everything you would expect from a decent mid-range hotel including a wall-mounted television, a tea/coffee making tray, a laundry service plus good quality cotton sheets and towels. Sliding glass doors open out on to the gardens. The bathroom was extremely clean and had a decent shower.

Amenities at the hotel include a very smart gift shop with local crafts, some charming ‘vintage’ lounge rooms, a modest fitness centre and a swimming pool. While the place has a relaxing environment, the hotel is conveniently situated to host business meetings, training days and other corporate or social events. There are five indoor event spaces of different size suitable for anything from a boardroom meeting to a banqueting function. I believe outdoor functions can be held at the back of the hotel compound. The full-day and half-day conference packages seemed competitively priced.

While some websites list the hotel has having two places to eat, all my meals were taken in the Palm’s Restaurant. Diners have the option of sitting inside the spacious setting or outside looking on to the landscaped garden. The a la carte dinner had an agreeable selection of dishes with the red meat mains being especially delicious. Lunch was a buffet with an acceptable choice of freshly-made options ranging from local fare to more cosmopolitan dishes. The traditional British dish of roast beef was carved by a chef and served with a huge Yorkshire pudding. Both were excellent. Another ‘throwback’ to the pre-independence era were the outstanding scones freshly baked for breakfast and served with strawberry jam. The breakfast buffet also included a decent choice of hot and cold options. The strong filter coffee was very welcome while the sweet pancakes were especially tasty. Both meals were served well by friendly and most efficient staff. The small but adequate Wild Date Bar also offered good service although the place closed early due to lack of custom. The very few local commuters having a well-deserved liquid refreshment in order to miss the rush hour, informed me that the economic challenges in the country sadly left fewer professionals able to afford hotel rates for a drink.

The Bronte Hotel was described by one guest on a ‘travel opinion aggregator’ as ‘one of the best hidden gems in Harare’. That is a fitting description for this well-presented, peaceful and comfortable spot that is an ideal stopover for anyone on safari or a business traveller seeking a convenient base in the heart of Harare. While the hotel may be hidden by jacaranda trees it certainly has been discovered by many guests over the decades. The dedicated staff unquestionably work hard to ensure they can continue to offer a warm Zimbabwean welcome to all patrons in the future. 

For more information on Zimbabwe visit www.zimbabwetourism.net

Rwandair fly three times a week from London Gatwick to Harare via Kigali.