Hyatt signs Grand Hyatt Victoria Falls The Kingdom, scheduled to open in late 2027

Hyatt Hotels Corporation revealed it will grow its African footprint through a deal for Grand Hyatt Victoria Falls The Kingdom in Zimbabwe. Slated to debut in late 2027, the property will be operated under a management pact between a Hyatt affiliate and an Albwardy Investments LLC affiliate.

Once it opens, it will be Zimbabwe’s second Hyatt‑branded hotel and part of the World of Hyatt program, allowing members to accrue and use loyalty rewards.

The building, first erected in 1966 and refreshed in 1999, is slated for a comprehensive renovation that aligns with the Grand Hyatt identity. Hyatt notes the upgrade will deliver a high‑end hospitality experience that honors local heritage while embodying the brand’s renowned service and design ethos.

Situated in the center of Victoria Falls—a UNESCO World Heritage Site locally called Mosi‑oa‑Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”)—the hotel will be just a five‑minute stroll from the rainforest and provide easy reach to safari routes, guided tours, dining options, and cultural sites.

Ludwig Bouldoukian, Hyatt’s Regional Vice President of Development for the Middle East and Africa, remarked, “We are thrilled to partner with Albwardy Investments to launch the Grand Hyatt brand at Victoria Falls. Its iconic setting, just steps from the rainforest, offers an extraordinary backdrop. This agreement underscores a key step in Hyatt’s African growth strategy, strengthening our pledge to expand the brand in the region and give World of Hyatt members more inspiring travel options.”

Ali Albwardy, Chairman of Albwardy Investments, added, “We are honored to work with Hyatt to bring the Grand Hyatt brand to Victoria Falls. For over six decades the site has been a cornerstone of the destination’s hospitality scene, embodying rich heritage and great promise. By revitalizing it under the Grand Hyatt banner and targeting a late‑2027 reopening, we intend to deliver a refined guest experience that honors Victoria Falls’ culture, vitality and importance, while further cementing our dedication to Africa’s hospitality industry.”

The hotel will offer 245 guest rooms, roughly 1,800 sq m of meeting and event space, three restaurants, a spa, a fitness centre and a grand lobby lounge. Hyatt notes it will serve both leisure and business travelers, providing diverse culinary, wellness and event offerings.

Positioned nearest to the Zimbabwe‑side entrance of Victoria Falls National Park, the hotel lies about a 20‑minute drive from Victoria Falls International Airport, improving access for both local and overseas guests.