The Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel has re-opened its doors after a three-month renovation exercise to refurbish its rooms and plumbing system at a cost of USD$2, 5 million.
The three-star hotel with the capacity to cater for up to 2 000 guests, shut down in February for the major refurbishment exercise, the first since 1952.
For its plumbing system, Rainbow Hotel adopted the use of the latest technology Mepla, a combination of metal and plastic and becomes one of the few institutions in Zimbabwe to implement this.
The hotel also has a new look as it repainted both the hotel’s interior and exterior, installed glazed windows for soundproofing while the wall and tiles were replaced.
During a tour of the revamped facility Wednesday afternoon, Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) Operations Director, Tichawona Hwingwiri, said the scope of the refurbishment was to refresh the hotel and not limited to the plumbing alone but also covered the overhaul of the entire guest rooms.
“The guest’s in-room bathrooms were replaced; there was replacement of the critical in-room fixtures and windows. The plumbing technology which we have installed at Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel is called Mepla (metal and plastic). It is the latest technology in the world. Rainbow is one of the first institutions in Zimbabwe to use this technology,” he said.
Hwingwiri also said guests could look forward to a fresh welcoming feel as the hotel’s interior and exterior were repainted.
“Our priority as RTG is to deliver superior, seamless refreshing experiences to our guests at all times. This is the first major plumbing refurbishment of this hotel since it was built in 1952. We have modernised our in-room guest bathrooms which have been completely overhauled and redesigned with new modern fixtures to deliver an enhanced bathroom experience,” he detailed.
Other works done on the hotel include the replacement of all windows with contemporary single and double glazed aluminium bronze tinted glare reduction windows.
Hwingwiri said the hotel had installed double glazed windows for sound proofing in order to address external noise concerns.
Loziba restaurant, which is the main food service station was also revamped to cater to client’s desires.
“Loziba restaurant, which serves both buffet and a la carte meals. The ambience is a critical element when it comes to the food experience. Our guests can look forward to a new look and inviting food station area with a new design. The wall and floor tiling were all replaced,” said the hotelier.
The hotel’s Operations Director also revealed that the Rainbow would in May this year begin the installation of two brand new guest elevators.
