Insider
Global hospitality group Hilton is set to enter Zimbabwe with the development of a 140-room Hilton Garden Inn in Harare’s Highlands suburb, marking the group’s first property in the country.
Hilton announced the signing of the Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands partnership with property developer Terrace Africa on Wednesday at ZimReal, Zimbabwe’s leading property investment forum.
The hotel is expected to open in early 2029 and will form part of the Highlands Precinct, a mixed-use development bringing together offices, retail outlets, restaurants, residences, hotels and conferencing facilities.
The entry of Hilton, one of the world’s major hospitality groups, signals growing international interest in Zimbabwe’s tourism and property sectors as the country seeks to expand its accommodation capacity and attract more business and leisure travellers.
“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, Hilton Chief Development Officer for the Middle East and Africa.
Zimbabwe recorded more than 1.7 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, according to tourism statistics cited by Hilton.
Khneisser said Harare’s position as a commercial, diplomatic and regional gateway presented an opportunity for the Hilton Garden Inn brand.
“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,” he said.
The hotel will be located within the Highlands Precinct, approximately 20 to 25 kilometres from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Its location in one of Harare’s established residential and diplomatic districts is expected to provide access to key commercial, diplomatic and cultural destinations across the capital.
Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands will comprise 140 rooms and suites, targeting both business and leisure travellers with what Hilton describes as upscale but affordable accommodation.
Facilities will include an all-day dining restaurant with a terrace, a lobby café and bar, gym and swimming pool with a terrace, as well as meeting rooms.
The development is intended to provide spaces for guests to work, meet, dine and relax within the property.
For Terrace Africa, the partnership represents a significant step in the development of the Highlands Precinct as a mixed-use urban destination.
“Our Highlands Precinct has been designed as a connected urban destination that reflects Harare’s growth and evolving lifestyle needs,” said Brett Abrahamse, Director of Terrace Africa.
“Partnering with Hilton to introduce its first hotel in Zimbabwe 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.”
Hilton’s entry comes as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen tourism’s contribution to the economy and position Harare as a more competitive destination for international business and leisure travel.
The Hilton Garden Inn brand is Hilton’s upscale focused-service offering, designed around the needs of travellers seeking modern accommodation and essential amenities without the full-service model associated with luxury hotels.
The Harare project will therefore give Hilton a foothold in Zimbabwe’s growing hospitality market while adding an internationally recognised brand to the capital’s accommodation portfolio.
The Highlands Precinct is expected to combine hospitality, commercial and residential components, reflecting a broader shift towards mixed-use developments in Harare.
Hilton said the project would bring its “bright service, thoughtful amenities, and dependable guest experience” to Zimbabwe when the hotel opens in 2029.