The Meikles Hotel History Books

“Meet you at Meikles” was and remains the recognition that there really is nowhere else in Harare that consistently delights those who seek nothing but the best.

In 1915, a charming hotel opened its doors in an elegant colonial building at the centre of the thriving city that is now Harare. The visionary who built and developed this hotel was businessman Thomas Meikle, whose name the hotel still proudly bears. The original Meikles, with its spacious, open verandas, courteous service, excellent menus and comfortable accommodation, became synonymous with quality and friendship.

Today's magnificent hotel is not at all like the high-ceilinged, two-storied colonial building of its birth, but Mr Meikle's original commitment to the highest possible standard of product and service has not changed.
An enduring and much-loved feature of the history of Meikles is the legendary pair of lions now gazing out over Africa Unity Square from the north wing. The two lions were crafted in 1912 by Italian sculptor, Euletto Jotto and for many decades were on the hotel cupola overlooking Sam Nujoma (was Second Street). Legend has it that the lions roared every time a virgin walked by....

The history of Meikles is tightly woven into the history of Zimbabwe as the hotel has consistently found itself at the heart of the political events that have shaped this country. The first parliament of what was then the Colony of Southern Rhodesia met at the hotel in 1924 and Meikles has since been a neutral meeting place for African nationalists, British Governors, Constitutional Negotiators, Prime Ministers and Presidents seeking solutions to difficult political questions. With them have come the world's press as well as Commonwealth and United Nations officials, Heads of State, Royalty and other guests of the Republic of Zimbabwe, at major occasions such as Independence celebrations or international summits.

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