Isdore Guvamombe Tourism Matrix
On the eastern foot of a hill swarmed by stunted bush shrubbery near the town of Zvishavane is a superstructure that defiantly challenges the hill for co-existence. Whether the two agree or not, they really have to live together and indeed, together they have walked a journey into the annuls of the history of the town.
The superstructure is Pote Hill Hotel, a new kid in Zimbabwe’s hotel and hospitality industry born crying invitingly attract those who love ambiance, good life and memorable service in the mining town of Zvishavane. Indeed the mining town will never be the same.
Initially built as Pote Hill Lodge, has improved its service and built modern and spacious rooms, which eventually earned it recognition after Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, elevating it to a hotel in September last year.
The hotel has scripted a new chapter not only for owners and their management but also for patrons, the entire Zvishavane community and the tourism and hospitality industry at large.
Pote Hill Hotel manager, Victor Mavingire says the gesture by the ZTA to elevate the facility to a hotel did not come as a surprise. It was a product of hard work.
He said accommodation facilities, the highly trained staff and other services that were offered at the then Pote Hill Lodge were already more than what even other internationally recognised hotels offered.
“We received a certificate from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority on September 30 certifying that we have been awarded hotel status.
“This was after a team from the ZTA toured the lodge and saw the upmarket services we offered here. It did not come as a surprise to us to be awarded the hotel status,” he said.
Mr Mavingire says Pote Hill Hotel will continue to strive to offer best accommodation services and conference facilities in the country.
He says the hotel was looking forward to receiving more recognition in the hospitality sector.
The move to award Pote Hill Lodge the hotel status was a welcome development as it will help put the small mining town in the national tourism matrix.
“It is every town’s management desire that the town grows into a city status and the local authority should be celebrating with us on this grand achievement.
“If the local authority is to submit an application seeking the city status, obviously Pote Hill Hotel would be one of the key institutions that will be mentioned in that application,” he said.
With 34 elegantly furnished and air-conditioned spacious rooms the hotel becomes one of the biggest accommodation facilities in Zvishavane, where little lodges have been the mainstay.
It also houses executive suites with en-suite bathroom and toilet facilities and Jacuzzi.
The serene environment that surrounds Pote Hill Hotel and the overlooking view that one will have of the Zvishavane town gets one into a relaxed mood.
Pote Hotel also offers world class conference facilities which accommodate about 350 delegates at once.
A swimming pool is also available for guests to cool themselves during hot summers.
With two football teams in Zvishavane plying their trade in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, Pote Hill Hotel comes as the most preferred accommodation for visiting teams.
- guvaz2008@yahoo.com