Hyatt has announced plans to bring the Grand Hyatt brand to Zimbabwe with the signing of Grand Hyatt Victoria Falls The Kingdom, a luxury hotel expected to open in late 2027 following an extensive renovation and repositioning.

The project follows the signing of a management agreement between a Hyatt affiliate and an affiliate of Albwardy Investments LLC. Once completed, the hotel will become the second Hyatt-branded property in Zimbabwe and further strengthen the company’s presence across Africa.

Originally opened in 1966 and redeveloped in 1999, the landmark property will undergo a comprehensive transformation to align with Grand Hyatt’s luxury positioning while preserving its long-standing place in one of Africa’s most famous tourism destinations.

Luxury Stay Near Victoria Falls

Located in the heart of Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke That Thunders,” the hotel will be just a five-minute walk from the Victoria Falls rainforest and close to safari experiences, guided tours, restaurants and cultural attractions.

Grand Hyatt Victoria Falls The Kingdom is expected to feature 245 guestrooms, approximately 1,800 square metres of meeting and event space, three restaurants and bars, a spa, fitness centre and a signature Grand Hyatt lobby lounge.

The property will also benefit from its location as the closest hotel to the entrance of Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwean side of the border and will be approximately 20 minutes by car from Victoria Falls International Airport.

Expanding Hyatt’s African Portfolio

“We are delighted to collaborate with Albwardy Investments to bring the Grand Hyatt brand to Victoria Falls,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, Regional Vice President, Development, Middle East and Africa at Hyatt.

He said the signing represents another milestone in Hyatt’s expansion strategy across Africa while giving World of Hyatt members additional opportunities to earn and redeem loyalty benefits in one of the world’s most iconic leisure destinations.

Ali Albwardy, Chairman of Albwardy Investments, said the redevelopment aims to create an elevated hospitality experience that celebrates the culture and heritage of Victoria Falls while reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to Africa’s hospitality sector.

Upon opening, the hotel will join Hyatt’s growing luxury portfolio across the continent, offering accommodation for leisure travellers, meetings, conferences and events in one of Zimbabwe’s leading tourism destinations.