IHG Announcements
Drawing inspiration from the grandeur of Kilwa Kisiwani, the bustling trade routes that crisscrossed continents, and the untold stories of Great Zimbabwe's resplendent past, we are dedicated to preserving the legacies of Africa's UNESCO World Heritage sites. With Zimbabwe's breathtaking landscapes as our canvas, we extend a warm embrace of true African hospitality to the world, inviting all to share in the wonder of our heritage.
Nestled in the heart of this geological marvel, the House of Chinhara promises to redefine luxury travel, offering guests an unparalleled experience that harmoniously blends opulence, sustainability, and a deep respect for nature.
Six Senses Victoria Falls to Offer Wildlife Lovers Stilted Eco-Lodges on the Zambezi
Six Senses enters into its first sub-Saharan African project, which will front Princess Elizabeth Island on the approach to the largest waterfall in the world. The partially concealed, tree-level lodges at Six Senses Victoria Falls will be ecological, tactile, and understated to provide a bird’s eye platform for what’s most important, an authentic connection with the verdant nature and wildlife all around.
Press Release Issued by Six Senses
Slated to open in 2026, Six Senses has entered into its first sub-Saharan African project with Six Senses Victoria Falls and plans to offer wildlife lovers stilted eco-lodges on the edge of the Zambezi…
The riverside game reserve and wellness resort will fall within Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park, a UNESCO Protected Area. The partially concealed, tree-level lodges at Six Senses Victoria Falls will be ecological, tactile, and understated to provide a bird’s eye platform for what’s most important, an authentic connection with the verdant nature and wildlife all around.
The resort is part of The House of Chinhara initiative to recover the majesty of Zimbabwean tourism by elevating the available accommodation count and quality for visitors to the Victoria Falls National Park, as well as providing host accommodation facilities and hospitality training opportunities. Victoria Falls comprises five individual falls, four of which are located in Zimbabwe. Of course, the animals know no borders, and elephants, pods of hippos, buffalo, big cats, and primates will be doing their thing under the lodges, raising the question of who is watching who.
With its trademark ethos of conscious travel, Six Senses is working with the development team of Worth International, comprising SIP Project Managers, DSA Architects International, and CKR Consultant Engineers, on a modular scheme consisting of a series of stilted wooden structures. This will match the weightless aesthetic with mighty engineering innovation to ensure the lightest possible footprint while still withstanding a heavy knock from a passing elephant. Fabricated off-site to minimise construction impacts, the arrangement of lodges and villas will be connected by raised walkways and bridges.
From the main welcome pavilion, guests will transfer to the lounge lobby, where amenities will include a raised restaurant and lounge, specialty dining and braai bar, and sunset look-out bar. The Six Senses Spa and wellness facilities will include four treatment rooms, a gym, a yoga deck, outdoor hot pools, a panoramic sauna, and an integrated retail and concept store. The jungle gym is literal and therefore accompanied by a ranger.
In addition to the 22 lodges with private terraces, there will be 15 deluxe lodges with suspended pools. Some of these lodges can be inter-connected. Plans are afoot for 17 individual pool villas, nine of which offer multi-bedroom accommodation. The seamless blurring of the interior and exterior design evokes reconnection to nature and moments of mindfulness to breathe in the savannah breezes and river mists to the rhythm of a chirruping cicada.
The brief to the DSGN interior design consultancy team is to capture the eclectic and authentic spirit of Zimbabwe. The timber floors and natural finishes will serve as a canvas to showcase ceremonial and bespoke furnishings and artwork. The aim is to achieve timeless sophistication and comfort overlayed with colours, textures, and craftsmanship.
Along with on-site signature experiences such as the Earth Lab, Alchemy Bar, and Grow With Six Senses children’s activities, Six Senses Victoria Falls couldn’t be better placed for access to the river on the Six Senses cruiser, the falls, the game reserves, and paying homage to Zimbabwe’s heritage and artisan culture.
Six Senses & Vignette Collection Media Features The House of Chinhara
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IHG Hotels & Resorts signs first Vignette Collection hotel in Zimbabwe, Africa
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a Management Agreement with HOC Hospitality Investments Ltd., for a new build Vignette hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The signing marks the brand’s foray into Middle East and Africa region, as the 10th Vignette hotel, coinciding with its first Anniversary.
The hotel group’s newest brand, Vignette, will celebrate its first anniversary with the signing of its 10th hotel
Vignette Collection is a family of one-of-a-kind exclusive hotels curated for guests seeking rich and varied independent stay experiences. Where luxury meets purpose, Vignette Collection hotels weave responsibility, community, and locality together and exist to make a positive impact in every way.
House of Chinhara – Vignette Collection will open in January 2026 in the city of Victoria Falls and offer an urban resort hospitality option to over 250,000 annual tourist visitors. The awe-inspiring waterfall, one of the largest in the world, and its Rainforest National Park and Elephant Trails attract leisure visitors seeking both serenity and adventure. However, following the recent designation of the town as a financial services Special Economic Zone and the creation of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, the area is expected to see a significant increase in corporate and MICE demand as well.
Based in the city centre, and just 20km from the airport, the House of Chinhara is made up of 99 keys and includes 2 F&B outlets, and 3 bars/cafes on site. Guests can also make use of its health club and 800 sqm of spa/retail space. Also catering to corporate demand, the hotel will include four meeting rooms comprising 620 sqm, with the largest room hosting up to 360 people in a theatre style layout.
The hotel will complement the Six Senses Victoria Falls, which is also being developed by HOC Hospitality Investments Ltd. as the brand’s first riverside game lodge resort in the Victoria Falls National Park buffer zone, a UNESCO Protected Area. The property will have 54 rooms and three food and beverage outlets including an all-day dining, a specialty dining, and a signature dining & sundowner bar, as well as a spa, integrated retail and concept store.
Speaking on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: "The signing of this 10th Vignette hotel is a key milestone, as the brand is fast gaining strength across the world and enabling the expansion of our Luxury and Lifestyle offering worldwide. Following the pandemic, we expect that luxury guests will continue to make more considered travel choices and seek more customised experiences and personal enrichment with community engagement and sustainability at the heart. Luxury meets purpose at Vignette Collection hotels and an integral part of creating an authentic guest experience is the opportunity to engage with the local community in a positive way. Victoria Falls is a key destination for international travellers, across both tourism and business segments, and we’re pleased to partner with HOC Hospitality Investments to bring a new hotel to the region that allows our guests to experience the varied wonders of this magnificent destination.”
Aaron Chinhara, HOC Hospitality Investments Ltd. said: “We are pleased to partner with IHG on bringing both Six Senses and a Vignette collection brand to Zimbabwe creating a truly world class destination for international visitors, whilst creating positive impact on the surroundings and local communities. We trust IHG’s powerful enterprise, including their renewed IHG One Rewards loyalty program in driving more guests to experience Victoria Falls, from our gateway location between the entrance of the city and attractions such as Rainforest National Park and Elephant trails.”
IHG’s Vignette Collection gives owners of world-class independent hotels the opportunity to retain their distinctive identity, while benefitting from a global scale and Luxury and Lifestyle expertise. Vignette Collection hotels are unique in their own right, with their own distinct outlook and story to tell, and this new signing is no exception. It joins existing Vignette properties across countries including Portugal, Austria, Thailand and Australia, but House of Chinhara marks the brand’s first foray into the IMEA region.
The town of Victoria Falls is located in the northwest of Zimbabwe on the border with Zambia and has a population of 35,000, which increases up to 10-fold through tourist visitation annually. While the town is remote in relation to the rest of the country, it enjoys a central location in the region relative to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi.
