Lodge at The Ancient City

Name: Lodge at The Ancient City
Address: 1 Shepherd's Plot, Great Zimbabwe, Masvingo, Masvingo, ZW

Location: 1 Shepherd's Plot, Great Zimbabwe, Masvingo, Masvingo, ZW

Star Rating: 2 Stars

Property Type: Lodges

About this Property

Luxurious Amenities
Indulge in the outdoor pool or relax on private balconies while enjoying complimentary Wi-Fi access.

Culinary Delights
Feast on international cuisine at the elegant Summershed restaurant and unwind at the bar/lounge with your favorite drink.

Convenient Location
Located just a short drive from attractions like Great Zimbabwe National Monument and Lake Mutirikwi, experience the best of Masvingo during your stay at Lodge at The Ancient City.

Book your stay now and immerse yourself in the enchanting surroundings of Masvingo!

Important Information

No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Instructions: The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.

Amenities & Facilities

Free WiFi
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Front desk (limited hours)
Smoke-free property
Free self parking
No elevator (single level property)

Rooms Available

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed

1 Double Bed
Balcony with garden views

Layout - Bedroom
Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker
Bathroom - Towels and bathtub or shower
Practical - Laptop workspace; free rollaway/extra beds and free cribs/infant beds available on request
Comfort - Daily housekeeping
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Laptop-friendly workspace
Deluxe Double Room

2 Double Beds
Features a private balcony

Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 32-inch plasma TV
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker and electric kettle
Sleep - Egyptian cotton linens
Bathroom - Towels and bathtub or shower
Practical - Laptop workspace and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping
Accessibility - Ceiling hoist
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) or rollaway/extra beds available
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Desk
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Premium bedding
- Free WiFi
- No rollaway/extra beds
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Ceiling hoist
Deluxe Single Room

1 Double Bed
Features a private balcony

Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 32-inch plasma TV
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker and electric kettle
Sleep - Egyptian cotton linens
Bathroom - Private bathroom, towels, and a bathtub or shower
Practical - Laptop workspace and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping
Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) or rollaway/extra beds available
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Wheelchair accessible
- Daily housekeeping
- Premium bedding
- Free WiFi
- No rollaway/extra beds
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Ceiling hoist
Family Room

2 Double Beds and 1 Twin Bunk Bed
Features a private balcony

Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 32-inch plasma TV
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker and electric kettle
Sleep - Egyptian cotton linens
Bathroom - Towels and bathtub or shower
Practical - Laptop workspace and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping
Accessibility - Wheelchair accessible
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) or rollaway/extra beds available
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 4 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Desk
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Wheelchair accessible
- Daily housekeeping
- Premium bedding
- Free WiFi
- No rollaway/extra beds
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Ceiling hoist
Executive Room

2 Double Beds
Balcony with garden views

Internet - Free WiFi
Entertainment - 32-inch plasma TV
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), and electric kettle
Sleep - Egyptian cotton linens
Bathroom - Towels and bathtub or shower
Practical - Laptop workspace and wardrobe or closet
Comfort - Daily housekeeping
Accessibility - Ceiling hoist
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) or rollaway/extra beds available
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Minibar
- Desk
- Electric kettle
- Wardrobe or closet
- Daily housekeeping
- Premium bedding
- Free WiFi
- No rollaway/extra beds
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Laptop-friendly workspace
- Ceiling hoist
Standard Single Room

2 Double Beds
Balcony with mountain views

Internet - Free WiFi
Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker
Bathroom - Towels and bathtub or shower
Practical - Laptop workspace
Comfort - Daily housekeeping
Non-Smoking

Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Daily housekeeping
- Free WiFi
- Laptop-friendly workspace

Guest Reviews

ANDREW (10/5): Beautiful hotel in lovely setting. - Extremely spacious and comfortable room in a lovely setting. Very friendly, helpful staff. Not many guests but slightly off-season. Would warmly recommend this place as a comfortable option at Great Zimbabwe full of character. Slightly over-priced food, but worth it for the quality of setting, staff and facilities.
Jerome (10/5): - Amazing staff. The lodge design and accommodations are incredible
Stephen (8/5): Amazing architecture! Impressive-looking! - This lodge is amazing. If you were to build a castle in Africa, it would be like this. This establishment is on the scale of European castles but in an African style - made to mimic the nearby Great Zimbabwe ruins. The architecture is impressive with its high ceilings and everything on a grand scale, with many stone walls built among the boulders that are characteristic for this part of the country. Even the individual rooms are palatial in size. We chose to eat dinner at the lodge's restaurant on the night we stayed there. It was a bit pricey but in line with what you would pay at a higher-end lodge like this. However, the atmosphere of the restaurant was a bit awkward. It was in a huge room, and our family wasn't sure if we should engage in conversation because the atmosphere felt like we had to be hushed. The service was excellent, but the wait staff hovered in the corner and watched us while we ate - kind of creepy and part of why we didn't want to talk much (we felt like they were listening to everything we said). The general manager greeting us a couple times and wanting to engage in conversation was a bit too much and added to the creepiness factor of the staff here. This place has great amenities and spaces - a swimming pool, indoor and outdoor bar areas for watching the sunset, seating areas inside and outside in the rooms. The only thing lacking seemed to be the choice of stations on the TV.
Alan (8/5): - The architecture of the buildings was sensational as were the surrounding gardens and overall integration of the lodge into the natural geological rock features. The lodge has a ‘wow factor’ was a standout place to stay. The menu and food could be improved to match the their aspects of the lodge.
Sandra (10/5): - Very spacious rooms, nicely decorated. Super pleasant staff and delicious food. Memory and Chimms were very nice to us
Nyasha (8/5): - Nice resort fare a family weekend getaway. Beautiful architecture and excellent customer service. Menu and pricing can be updated a bit to get the hotel to a five star rating. ie. no wine menu, instant coffee to barista made coffee. Very minor cosmetic changes to make the last mile.
Verified traveler (6/5): - There was a strong chemical smell in the room. I think from what they used to treat the beams. The food was ok. Staff service was excellent.
Philippa (10/5): One night visit to Great Zimbabwe - This place has a unique setting and design for every room. Every detail considered. Bar and restaurant area are dramatic and superb. It is half an hours drive from Mavingo but hotel were happy ton organise car and driver to help us throughout our stay.
Lilian (10/5): - Parking was too far from the lodge rooms
Hans-Michael (8/5): - Marvellous view, very nice surrounding
Johannes (8/5): - Great location, great architecture, spacious rooms, good food, some of the amenities look a bit tired, but overall to be recommended.
Verified traveler (10/5): Spectacular - This was my second stay at The Lodge at The Ancient City - I returned because I found the location and facilities spectacular. Service was friendly and food was also tremendous this time - as a vegetarian, my preferences were taken care of. I will return again and highly recommend this wonderful lodge!
Verified traveler (6/5): - The lodges are unique with a great potential to recover when Covid 19 goes down. I didn't like the fact that paying residents were kicked out because there was an outside Birthday on Saturday and the noise was terrible. The amenities paying residents were supposed to stay by the pool side was reserved for a noisy outside Birthday Party. The meals could have been better especially for vegans when the lodge were informed about the person. Best not to go for full-board because the meals didn't match the price being paid
Chief (10/5): - Loved everything about the property especially when it rained
Verified traveler (6/5): - What an amazing place!!! Food is really good, rooms and beds are very comfortable and set in a beautiful location with some stunning architecture. Two problems though, their location on google maps is incorrect and it was a struggle to find the property. They need to update the property address. Also, I had no hot water!! Not good.
Gunther (10/5): - What a great experience! Staff accommodated our late check in and early check out. Warm reception and an amazing room!
Rumbi (10/5): - Very well maintained property. The rooms are exceptionally clean and so refreshing! Beautiful views, trees and relaxing atmosphere. However, the food was underwhelming. Not much variety on the menu. A little bit of planning from the chef and seasoning can transform their meals. The drinks and meals are overpriced.
Diogo (10/5): - Absolutely great place! I would totally recommended. The only problem is that the confirmation email you get and even the address received will send you to some place near the Polithecnic Institute of Maswingo when, in reality, the Lodge is quite far from that, near the Ancient City.
Michael (4/5): Overbooking fiasco - I was booked at the Lodge at the Ancient City and paid for my booking, but I was later informed that the booking could not be honored due to overbooking. We were placed in a nearby hotel in Masvingo, but the condition of that hotel was nowhere near the accommodation we would have enjoyed at the Lodge. We ended up overpaying for a bad hotel because the Lodge at the Ancient City overbooked. We paid for the Lodge. We got a crummy hotel in Masvingo.The Lodge did give us a free meal and tried to make it right, but we still had three nights in a very undesirable hotel at the cost of the Lodge at the Ancient City. Unsatisfied. I was pleased they attempted to make it right, but I wanted what I paid for. The Lodge is very nice.
Verified traveler (8/5): - Amazing settind and rooms simply stunning. One concern, breakfast $20US/head .
Edward (8/5): Very good - It is a nice and pleasant place to stay, particularly if you need somehow tranquil and peace of mind..you can breeze fresh air from forests around you! however, they need massive improvement for their breakfast....(or be realistic of what they charge, they charge 20 or 25 usd per person and this is somehow too way high), they have a very simple breakfast which doest nt cost one more than 8-10 usd.
Gregory (10/5): Zimbabwe spectacular - Spectacular design and atmosphere. Very welcoming. Great experience. Meals pleasant and homely but not on a par with the decor.
Edson (10/5): Great Zimbabwe retreat - Amazing place and beautiful, great service by staff. Food could be improved
Pete (10/5): - Its unique, reflection of the Great Dzimbabwe. Lovely bush, birds and quiet.
Verified traveler (8/5): Gem in Zimbabwe - Beautiful lodge with great hospitality. Excellent staff
Iain (10/5): Greeeeaaaat Zimbabwe - Absolutely fantastic. The perfect setting for visiting Great Zimbabwe and the staff were so friendly and knowledgeable and went out of their way to solve my petrol problems (successfully). Great rooms, with fantastic views and a beautiful restaurant.They even washed my car as a little surprise bonus.
Verified traveler (10/5): - Truly Zim, rich flora, fauna and quiet country nights....loved it
Tom (6/5): - Great location and, in principle, facilities and rooms. Also very friendly welcome. However, slow and barely smiling service at the restaurant and lack of attention to detail do this place a disservice. You have a fabulous terrace overlooking valley and the Great Enclosure. Why not make it welcoming? Large tables with plastic table cloths do not invite to sit and have a light meal. What is needed are four seater tables nicely presented and arranged across the terrace rather than bunched together in one corner. People don't want to eat in the gloomy dining area when there is a nice spring sunshine out there.
Mercy (10/5): - Fantastic place,
Verified traveler (8/5): Enjoyable stay - We had a couole problems but we enjoyed staying here and would stay again. First issue--we had requested a crib but it was not in our room. Second-took us a long time to check-out. Maybe they need more staff at the front desk or maybe more organization? We enjoyed our family room though. Very nice and comfortable. Breakfast was nice as well but meals can be a little pricey. Local area is pretty much non-existent because the hotel is in the boonies (hence the rating) so you don't have much else to do besides visit Great Zimbabwe.
Eoin (10/5): Room in the jungle - Good hotel
Verified traveler (10/5): Great - Beautiful rooms , delicious food , big area in general and great pool . Loved it !
richard (10/5): Amazing - This has to be one of the most atmospheric hotels anywhere. The room was huge as was the bathroom and the decor exceptional. I am a vegetarian and the chef made me a vegetarian main course. It was great. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
Ennie (10/5): Back to my roots - It’s was great being back to the motherland,Zimbabwe Africa. The ruins are really great. Just showed how innovative our ancestors were though the media does say much about the acumen of the black Africans.Having my wife and daughter with me, my mother, my mother in law , my grandmother and all my siblings around was really awesome. Chatting on starry nights and just connecting with nature as well a my beautiful family was just priceless. Coming from a Canadian winter. The break from the cold was really well appreciated . This was a great experience!!
Verified traveler (8/5): Nice hotel; interesting decor - A great place to stay near the Great Zimbabwe monument. Hotel architecture follows that of the monument.
Kathy (10/5): Nice hotel in a quiet refreshing location - The staff were very friendly and welcoming.The lodge is very clean and earthy/natural, built around the the natural local granite stone, it’s a resemblance of Zimbabwe Ruins.The bar and dining areas are quite spectacular featuring these granite stones right inside them.We were meant to stay for one night but we ended up adding another night.The location and set up of this lodge is very quiet peaceful and refreshing.If you’re looking for a get away place there’s one 😀
rebecca (6/5): Architecture 10/10, Food 1/10, stay but don't eat! - Wonderfully and interestingly designed on the theme of Great Zimbabwe the architecture is its main attraction and the only reason we opted to stay here. Rooms are huge, and beds comfortable. However the remote location of this hotel means there are no alternative bars/restaurants nearby so if you want to eat, you have no alternative but to eat here. The food was dreadful and extortionate prices, even by Zim standards. We arrived late after a long drive and the hotel appeared to be deserted with no other guests, although they were apparently busy. We ordered the set menu, I had fish my partner had the T-bone. The fish was dry and tasteless, but just about edible, the T-bone was from an unidentifiable animal and completely inedible, all sinew, fat and gristle with barely an inch of edible meat. The waiting staff are polite but completely ineffectual, and when we complained they merely nodded and appeared clueless as to what to do. Breakfast wasn't much better, but after the previous nights experience we stuck to a continental breakfast, a cheaper and no doubt more edible option. If you arent bothered about eating, then this is a really great place.
Daniel (10/5): Great place to stay - Highly recommended - Atmosphere, location, accommodation style
Carlos (10/5): - Excelent
Verified traveler (8/5): Location Location Location - Fabulous Location - can See Great ZImbabwe from the Patio
Brian (10/5): Big room in the park - All the rooms are separate single houses in the hotel area. It is just in the Great Zimbabwe park area though it is a separate area inside the boarder of the park.
Steven (10/5): Nice environment - It is a very large room with two big beds. All the rooms are single houses in a nice small hill just neighboring the Great Zimbabwe Park.
Judah and Eunice (8/5): A real refreshing "Touch teh Wild" experience! - It was a pleasant wild experience. Not the same as it was twelve years ago when I last visited. The thatch repairs are not up to standard and the new grass does not look good. Very bad workmanship. There was no TV and the wifi was poor.
Verified traveler (8/5): Unique Hotel and experience... - Unique Hotel and experience... must seen! nice staff. location close to great zimbabwe.
Feng (8/5): Good location - The lodge is around 1 km to the entrance of Great Zimbabwe, a very good location. You may see the main building of Great Zimbabwe even in the lodge.
Nano (10/5): Time trip to the past - The Great Zimbabwe like hotel site and traditional ancient style hut made us feel like we were in that era. The room was spacious and clean with cool ' rock' interior. One downside was there was only cloth divider btw bathroom and bedroom. Restaurant food was ok but breakfast was overpriced. Hotel staff were friendly and helpful. They gave advice from guest's standpoint not travel agent.
travel (8/5): unique lodge, ver - very spacious room, unique building (african hut), good quality bed, everything was so nice (except kettle which was very old and not very clean). we really want to recommend everyone to stay there, also we would like to go back to stay longer there. at the same time, its uniquness made us to want to meet the owner of the lodge!!
Gina (10/5): - Great night stay
Alice (8/5): - Fantastic hotel..let down terribly by the food. Breakfast was good but lunch and evening meals were not. The menu would say ..herb roasted potato but you got plain boiled potatoes.
Trent (10/5): Coolest place ever - M 8 year old son called our lodge the coolest place he'd ever stayed. It was comfortable and nice without being overly luxurious. It will surpass all expectations as will your entire trip to the unique area of great Zimbabwe and Lake Kyle.