The best hotels in Masvingo
Masvingo sits at the edge of one of Africa's greatest ancient sites, and picking the wrong hotel means you're 40 minutes from everything that matters. We reviewed the standouts across 8,000+ options in the region. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Masvingo
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Flamboyant Hotel
Town Centre, Masvingo
Free cancellation & Pay later
Masvingo Hotel
Robert Mugabe Way, Masvingo
Free cancellation & Pay later
Great Zimbabwe Hotel
Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Masvingo
Free cancellation & Pay later
Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort
Lake Shore, Lake Mutirikwi
Free cancellation & Pay later
Lodge at the Ancient City
Great Zimbabwe, Masvingo
Free cancellation & Pay later
Chevron Hotel Masvingo
Town Centre, Masvingo
Free cancellation & Pay later
Mutirikwi Safari Lodge
Mutirikwi Game Park, Mutirikwi
Free cancellation & Pay later
Inn on Great Zimbabwe
Museum Road, Masvingo
Free cancellation & Pay later
Amalinda Safari Collection, Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area, Masvingo
Free cancellation & Pay later
Great Zimbabwe Luxury Tented Camp
Mutirikwi Wilderness, Lake Mutirikwi
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flamboyant Hotel | Town Centre, Masvingo | $45–75/night | 6.8/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Masvingo Hotel | Robert Mugabe Way, Masvingo | $60–95/night | 7.1/10 | Best Value |
| 3 | Great Zimbabwe Hotel | Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Masvingo | $110–165/night | 8.2/10 | Best Location |
| 4 | Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort | Lake Shore, Lake Mutirikwi | $120–180/night | 8.5/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 5 | Lodge at the Ancient City | Great Zimbabwe, Masvingo | $135–195/night | 8/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 6 | Chevron Hotel Masvingo | Town Centre, Masvingo | $150–210/night | 8.3/10 | Most Popular |
| 7 | Mutirikwi Safari Lodge | Mutirikwi Game Park, Mutirikwi | $175–240/night | 8.6/10 | Family Friendly |
| 8 | Inn on Great Zimbabwe | Museum Road, Masvingo | $200–245/night | 8.1/10 | Business Pick |
| 9 | Amalinda Safari Collection, Great Zimbabwe | Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area, Masvingo | $280–420/night | 9.1/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | Great Zimbabwe Luxury Tented Camp | Mutirikwi Wilderness, Lake Mutirikwi | $320–490/night | 9.3/10 | Top Rated |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Flamboyant Hotel
This older property sits right in central Masvingo near the main bus terminus and local shops. Rooms are basic but functional, with working air conditioning and private bathrooms. The on-site restaurant serves decent Zimbabwean food at reasonable prices. Do not expect fancy finishes, but the beds are clean and the staff are helpful. A solid choice for travellers passing through on a tight budget.
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Masvingo Hotel
Located on Robert Mugabe Way in the heart of town, this hotel has been a local staple for decades. The rooms are dated but well maintained, and the pool courtyard is a pleasant surprise. Staff know the area well and can arrange day trips to Great Zimbabwe ruins about 30 kilometres away. Breakfast is included and filling. Good value for what you pay in this part of Zimbabwe.
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Great Zimbabwe Hotel
This is the only hotel actually adjacent to the Great Zimbabwe UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is its biggest selling point. You can walk to the ruins in under ten minutes without any shuttle. Rooms are comfortable and spacious, with views of the surrounding bushveld. The restaurant is a bit slow but the food quality is good. Book well in advance during peak season because this property fills up fast.
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Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort
Set on the shores of Lake Mutirikwi about 10 kilometres from Masvingo town, this resort has genuine charm and a relaxed atmosphere. The chalets face directly onto the lake and the sunsets here are genuinely impressive. Boat hire and fishing can be arranged through reception. The outdoor bar is the social hub of the property each evening. Couples and nature lovers will get the most out of this place.
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Lodge at the Ancient City
A smaller, quieter alternative to the main Great Zimbabwe Hotel, this lodge sits within a few minutes of the monument entrance. The thatched chalets blend into the landscape and the noise levels at night are close to zero. There is a small plunge pool and a fire pit that guests gather around after dark. Meals are communal and the food is straightforward but tasty. Great for travellers who want to avoid crowds.
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Chevron Hotel Masvingo
The Chevron is one of the more polished options in central Masvingo and caters heavily to business and group travellers. It has a conference centre, a well-stocked bar, and a reliable restaurant open throughout the day. The rooms are modern by local standards with decent Wi-Fi and flat screen TVs. Location on the main commercial strip means walking to shops and banks is easy. It can feel a little corporate but the service is consistently good.
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Mutirikwi Safari Lodge
Located inside Mutirikwi Game Park near the dam wall, this lodge offers guided game drives through the park where you can spot white rhino, zebra, and various antelope. The family chalets are roomy and each has a private veranda looking into the bush. Children are well catered for with dedicated activities in the afternoon. The braai facilities are excellent for self-catering evenings. It sits roughly 15 kilometres from Masvingo town centre.
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Inn on Great Zimbabwe
This mid-to-upper property on Museum Road bridges the gap between budget guesthouses and full luxury lodges. The rooms are spacious with quality linen and the property has a reliable generator which matters a lot in this region. A proper gym and a heated pool set it apart from most competitors in Masvingo. Business travellers appreciate the fast and stable internet. The drive to Great Zimbabwe ruins takes about five minutes from the front gate.
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Amalinda Safari Collection, Great Zimbabwe
This is the premium lodge option closest to Great Zimbabwe, built into the granite boulders right beside the monument. The rooms are architecturally striking, using natural stone throughout, and several have private plunge pools. Guided sunrise and sunset tours of the ruins are included in the rate. Food and drink quality is several levels above anything else in the area. It is expensive by Zimbabwean standards but the setting and experience are genuinely special.
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Great Zimbabwe Luxury Tented Camp
Set on private land bordering Lake Mutirikwi, this tented camp offers the most exclusive experience in the Masvingo region. The tents are large and fully furnished with hardwood floors, en-suite bathrooms, and outdoor showers. Game walks, boat safaris on the lake, and private tours of Great Zimbabwe are all included. The chef sources produce locally and meals around the communal fire are a highlight. Guest numbers are kept low, which means the service is attentive and personal throughout.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Masvingo
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
First time in Masvingo? Start here.
Most first-timers make one mistake: they book in the town centre on Robert Mugabe Way to 'be central' and then spend every morning in a taxi heading 26km south to the ruins. Don't do it. Pay a bit more and stay near the Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area on Museum Road. you'll have the Hill Complex almost to yourself before 9am.
The ruins are the whole reason Masvingo exists on any serious traveller's radar. The stone enclosures date back to the 11th century and the Great Enclosure alone is the largest ancient structure in sub-Saharan Africa. Give it at least a full day, ideally two.
The honest guide to Masvingo's neighbourhoods.
Town Centre around Robert Mugabe Way and Helmu Street is functional. Banks, shops, the Masvingo Civic Centre. it's all here. Hotels here are cheaper but you're trading location for convenience, and honestly the convenience isn't that great.
The Great Zimbabwe ruins area is where the character is. Museum Road winds through dry mopane woodland and the lodges here have views over the stone walls or the surrounding hills. Lake Shore near Norma Jeane's is quieter still. great for a slower pace, terrible if you want to walk anywhere.
How to do Great Zimbabwe without the crowds.
Arrive at the site entrance on Museum Road before 8:30am. The Harare tour coaches typically pull into the Valley Ruins car park between 10am and 11am, and from that point the Great Enclosure gets genuinely packed. The Hill Complex is always quieter. it's a steeper climb and most casual visitors skip it.
Stay at one of the lodges in the Heritage Area and you can walk the perimeter path at dusk after day visitors are gone. We've seen people do this and call it the best hour of their entire Zimbabwe trip. It costs nothing extra once you're already staying there.
Lake Mutirikwi: more than just a pretty view.
The lake sits about 10km from the town centre and wraps around the southern edge of Mutirikwi Game Park. You can fish for tigerfish and bream, do boat trips, or just watch the birdlife. the lake attracts African fish eagles, herons, and kingfishers in serious numbers.
Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort on the Lake Shore Road is the best base. Their sundowner cruises run most evenings during dry season. If game viewing matters to you, Mutirikwi Safari Lodge inside the park is the better pick. it's 15 minutes from the lake shore and has white rhino on the doorstep.
Masvingo on a budget: what's worth it, what's not.
You can do Masvingo well on $60-90/night if you're smart. Flamboyant Hotel and Masvingo Hotel in the Town Centre are both honest budget options. skip the tourist gift stalls near the ruins entrance and buy crafts at the Masvingo Craft Village on Robert Mugabe Way instead, prices are 40-60% lower.
The one place not to cut costs is the ruins entry itself. At $15 per international visitor it's already cheap. Hiring a local guide at the site for $10-15 extra is worth every cent. the context transforms what would otherwise be a pile of rocks into one of Africa's genuinely great historical experiences.
Luxury in Masvingo: yes, it exists.
Two properties push Masvingo into genuine luxury territory. Amalinda Safari Collection in the Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area at $280-420/night is the more polished experience. the rooms are built into granite boulders and the guiding is exceptional. Great Zimbabwe Luxury Tented Camp out in the Mutirikwi Wilderness tops the list at $320-490/night with the highest rating we found: 9.3.
Both include full board and activities. At these rates you're not just paying for a bed. you're paying for exclusive access, expert guiding, and an environment most visitors never reach. If you can stretch to one luxury night, make it here rather than burning the budget on a mid-range Harare hotel.
Masvingo's best neighborhoods
You've basically got four zones: Town Centre, the Great Zimbabwe ruins area, Lake Mutirikwi's shoreline, and the Mutirikwi Game Park wilderness. Prioritise the ruins area if this is your first trip. waking up 10 minutes from the stone walls beats any town-centre convenience.
Masvingo Town Centre 3 vetted hotels Practical base, budget-friendly, but 26km from the main event.
Practical base, budget-friendly, but 26km from the main event.
Robert Mugabe Way is the spine of town. Banks, the Civic Centre, local restaurants, and the Mucheke Bus Terminus are all within walking distance. It's a working Zimbabwean town, not a tourist bubble, which some travellers genuinely prefer.
Hotels here run $45-95/night and are the cheapest in the Masvingo area. You'll need transport to reach the ruins every day. factor in $10-15 each way by taxi or arrange a car hire through your hotel front desk.
The town centre works best for business travellers, budget backpackers passing through, or anyone who needs to catch an early bus onward to Harare or Bulawayo. For a dedicated ruins or nature trip, you're better placed further south.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins Area 4 vetted hotels Sleep inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Literally.
Sleep inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Literally.
Museum Road winds 26km south of town through dry mopane woodland before arriving at the ruins. The lodges here sit within or right beside the Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area. some are a 5-10 minute walk from the stone enclosures. This is where Masvingo earns its place on any serious Africa itinerary.
Prices range from $110-420/night depending on how deep into the heritage zone you go. Great Zimbabwe Hotel is the accessible entry point at $110-165/night. Amalinda Safari Collection at the top end offers rooms built into the granite landscape itself, at $280-420/night.
Book at least 4-6 weeks ahead for July and August. This is peak dry season and the lodges in this area fill up fast. especially on weekends when Harare residents drive down for short breaks.
Lake Mutirikwi Shoreline 2 vetted hotels Quiet, scenic, and genuinely romantic. if you plan your transport.
Quiet, scenic, and genuinely romantic. if you plan your transport.
The Lake Shore sits roughly 10km east of the town centre and wraps around Zimbabwe's second-largest reservoir. The landscape is open, the birding is excellent, and the sunsets over the water are the kind you photograph and then realise no photo does justice.
Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort owns this zone at $120-180/night. It's relaxed, well-run, and earns its Romantic Stay badge without trying too hard. The Great Zimbabwe Luxury Tented Camp is further out in the Mutirikwi Wilderness at $320-490/night, a serious step up in both price and seclusion.
One honest caveat: the lake shore is isolated. You're not walking to dinner anywhere else. Make sure you're comfortable with that before booking, especially for stays longer than 2 nights.
Mutirikwi Game Park 1 vetted hotel White rhino, giraffe, and one excellent family lodge.
White rhino, giraffe, and one excellent family lodge.
Mutirikwi Game Park covers the hills and bush north and west of Lake Mutirikwi. It's smaller than Hwange but punches above its weight: white rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and over 240 bird species have been recorded here. It's genuinely undervisited compared to Zimbabwe's bigger parks.
Mutirikwi Safari Lodge is the only vetted option inside the park at $175-240/night. It earns its Family Friendly badge. guided game drives, safe grounds for kids, and a pool that overlooks the bush. Early morning drives around 5:30am are when the rhino are most active.
Access is via the Mutirikwi Game Park Road off the Kyle Recreational Park entrance. It's tarred most of the way but a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended in the wet season between November and March.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Masvingo.
Romantic Escape
Lake Shore at Lake Mutirikwi is the pick here. Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort has sundowner boat cruises and the kind of silence that's genuinely hard to find.
History & Culture
Museum Road and the Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area are the whole point. You're at the most significant ancient site in sub-Saharan Africa, and the lodges here put you inside that story.
Family Adventure
Mutirikwi Game Park is where families belong. The lodge is safe, the game drives are accessible for kids, and spotting white rhino on foot with a guide is something children actually remember for life.
Budget Travel
Robert Mugabe Way in the Town Centre keeps costs honest at $45-75/night. Flamboyant Hotel and Masvingo Hotel both deliver clean rooms without the upsell.
Wilderness & Nature
The Mutirikwi Wilderness around the luxury tented camp is the rawest landscape in the region. It's not a beach, but it's the closest Masvingo gets to pure, unedited Africa.
Local Experience
The Town Centre near Helmu Street and the Masvingo Craft Village on Robert Mugabe Way is where real local life happens. Skip the tourist-facing stalls near the ruins entrance. prices are 40-60% higher for the same goods.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Masvingo
When to visit Masvingo and what to pay.
Dry Season (May-August)
This is the best window to visit Masvingo. Temperatures are comfortable at 15-22°C, the bush thins out for better game viewing in Mutirikwi Game Park, and the ruins are at their most atmospheric in the dry golden light. Hotel rates are 20-30% lower than peak summer, with Great Zimbabwe area lodges sitting around $110-165/night at the mid-range. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for July. that's when Zimbabwean school holidays overlap with international visitor traffic.
Hot Dry Season (September-October)
September and October bring serious heat. 28-36°C is common and October is regularly the hottest month of the year in this part of Zimbabwe. Game viewing peaks as animals cluster around Lake Mutirikwi's water sources, which makes Mutirikwi Safari Lodge at $175-240/night particularly good value in September. Carry water everywhere near the ruins; the Hill Complex climb in October heat is brutal.
Wet Season (November-March)
November kicks off the rains and they continue through March, with January and February being the wettest months. The landscape turns spectacularly green and the bird life around Lake Mutirikwi explodes with migratory species. Prices drop significantly, with Flamboyant Hotel at $45-60/night and even the ruins lodges discounting by 20-25%. The Mutirikwi Game Park Road gets rough. skip it without a 4x4.
Shoulder Season (April)
April is genuinely underrated. The rains have mostly stopped, the vegetation is still lush from the wet season, and the tourist crowds from the Zimbabwean Easter holiday period thin out by mid-month. Temperatures sit at a manageable 20-28°C. perfect for walking the ruins. Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort often has availability at $120-150/night in April when other months it books solid.
Booking Tips for Masvingo
Insider tips for booking hotels in Masvingo.
Book ruins-area hotels at least 4 weeks out in July.
July is Zimbabwe's school holiday peak and Harare residents drive the 3 hours to Masvingo in numbers. The 4 lodges on Museum Road and in the Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area. particularly Amalinda and the Lodge at the Ancient City. fill up from Thursday to Sunday. Midweek stays in July can be 15-20% cheaper and the ruins are noticeably quieter.
Get to the Hill Complex before 9am.
The Great Zimbabwe ruins site opens at 8am. The Hill Complex is the oldest and most dramatic part of the site, and it's a steeper climb that tour groups from the Harare coaches tend to skip or do last. You can have it entirely to yourself between 8am and 9:30am. This is not an exaggeration. we've seen people stand alone on those walls with the whole valley below them.
Hire a guide at the ruins, not in town.
There are guides for hire at the site entrance on Museum Road, vetted by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe. They charge $10-15 for a 90-minute walk and the context they provide is genuinely invaluable. Avoid the unofficial guides who approach taxis and buses on the approach road. they're unlicensed and inconsistent.
Don't rely on ATMs outside the Town Centre.
ATMs are reliably available on Robert Mugabe Way in the Town Centre. Once you're out at the ruins or lake lodges, cash access is limited or nonexistent. Masvingo runs heavily on USD cash and some properties still don't process foreign cards reliably. Withdraw what you need before leaving town, and carry small denominations. $1 and $5 bills are useful for tips and local purchases.
Lake Mutirikwi Road is passable but not perfect.
The road from the town centre to the Lake Shore and Kyle Recreational Park is tarred but has potholes that'll rattle any vehicle. Allow 20-25 minutes from Robert Mugabe Way even if the map suggests less. In the wet season between November and March, the Mutirikwi Game Park access road beyond the main lake route needs high clearance. Saloon cars manage the lake shore in all seasons.
Craft shopping: go to the village, not the ruins entrance.
The gift stalls immediately outside the Great Zimbabwe ruins entrance charge tourist prices that are 40-60% higher than what you'll find at the Masvingo Craft Village on Robert Mugabe Way in town. Stone sculptures, basketware, and wooden carvings are the local specialities. Prices are genuinely negotiable. start at around 50% of the asking price and you'll usually settle around 65-70%.
Hotels in Masvingo — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Masvingo.
What is the best area to stay in Masvingo?
The Great Zimbabwe ruins area, about 26km south of the town centre on Museum Road, is where you want to be. You're 5-15 minutes walk from the stone enclosures, and the lodges here are genuinely better than anything on Robert Mugabe Way in town. If you're on a tight budget, Town Centre works fine. just factor in the 30-40 minute drive to the ruins every morning.
How much do hotels in Masvingo cost per night?
Budget rooms on Robert Mugabe Way or in the Town Centre run $45-75/night. Mid-range options near the ruins or Lake Mutirikwi shoreline sit around $110-195/night. The two top-end properties, out in the Mutirikwi Wilderness and Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area, go from $280-490/night and are worth every dollar if heritage and wilderness are why you came.
Is it better to stay near Great Zimbabwe or in Masvingo town?
Near Great Zimbabwe, no contest. The town centre on Robert Mugabe Way is useful for errands and cheap meals, but there's no atmosphere at night and the roads are rough after dark. At the ruins, you can walk to the Hill Complex at sunrise before the day-trippers arrive. that alone is worth paying more for.
When is the best time to visit Masvingo?
May through August is the sweet spot. Temperatures sit around 15-22°C, rainfall is almost zero, and the bush thins out so game viewing in Mutirikwi Game Park gets significantly better. Hotel rates are also 20-30% lower than the December-January peak, especially at the lake resorts.
How do I get from Masvingo town to Great Zimbabwe ruins?
It's a 26km drive south on the Great Zimbabwe Road. about 30 minutes by car or taxi. A local taxi from the Town Centre rank near Mucheke Bus Terminus runs around $10-15 one way. There's no reliable scheduled bus service directly to the ruins entrance, so don't count on one.
Are there any hotels actually inside the Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area?
Yes, two of them. Amalinda Safari Collection and the Lodge at the Ancient City both sit within or immediately adjacent to the Great Zimbabwe Heritage Area boundary. You're effectively sleeping inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a genuinely rare experience. and you'll have the paths to yourself at dusk once the day visitors leave.
What is Lake Mutirikwi and is it worth staying there?
Lake Mutirikwi is Zimbabwe's second-largest reservoir, about 10km from the town centre via the Lake Mutirikwi Road. It's scenic, quiet, and excellent for fishing and birdwatching. Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort on the Lake Shore is the standout option at $120-180/night, and for couples especially, the sunsets over the water are hard to beat.
Is Masvingo safe for tourists?
Generally yes, especially in the ruins area and near Lake Mutirikwi. The town centre around Helmu Street and the Mucheke suburb after dark are best avoided on foot. Stick to your hotel's transport recommendations at night and you'll have no issues. most lodge staff know exactly which routes to use.
What's the entry fee for Great Zimbabwe National Monument?
As of 2025, entry for international visitors is $15 per person. The site opens at 8am and closes at 5pm. Go early. by 10am the tour groups from Harare and Bulawayo coaches have usually arrived at the Valley Ruins car park, and the Hill Complex gets crowded fast.
Do Masvingo hotels include breakfast?
It varies more than you'd expect. The Great Zimbabwe Hotel and Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort typically include breakfast in the rate. Budget options like Flamboyant Hotel on the Town Centre mostly charge $8-12 extra. Always confirm when booking. the difference adds up over a 3-4 night stay.
Can I visit Mutirikwi Game Park and where should I stay?
Yes, and it's underrated. Mutirikwi Game Park covers the hills around the lake and has white rhino, giraffe, zebra, and a solid range of antelope. Mutirikwi Safari Lodge sits right inside the park at $175-240/night and organises guided game drives from the lodge. Booking at least 3 weeks out in July and August is smart. that's when park demand peaks.
Are there budget hotels in Masvingo worth recommending?
Two are worth your time. Flamboyant Hotel in the Town Centre does the basics well at $45-75/night. it's on Helmu Street and about 2km from the Mucheke Bus Terminus. Masvingo Hotel on Robert Mugabe Way is a step up at $60-95/night and has a more reliable restaurant. Neither will blow you away, but both are honest about what they are.