Highlands House

Highlands House is a homely, relaxed sort of place - you could even put your feet on the sofa, and no one would mind! The reception foyer leads into the guest lounge, a delightful space with lots of comfy chairs and sofas, and there's also a sunny conservatory at the other end. The restaurant is light and bright, and the individual tables face out through wide windows to the swimming pool, outdoor dining terrace, and the tennis court. Secluded gazebos lie along the pathways, romantically lit by hanging lanterns at night.

Highlands has fourteen stylish en-suite rooms, with enormous beds, designer linens in crisp neutral tones, and colourful wall panels adding a sense of fun. Each one has its own colour theme and finishing touches, but all are lovely. The rooms have a small patio in front which faces across the garden, and inside, there's mini-bars, tea and coffee stations, flat screen satellite televisions and WiFi, plus electronic safes.

Highlands is ideally situated for easy access to the city centre, which has a good choice of restaurants and lively bars, vibrant street markets, and ultra-modern shopping malls. For sporty types, there are several world-class golf courses nearby, and guests also have complimentary access to the ProFitness Gym in Borrowdale Village, five minutes from the hotel. There are some lovely nature reserves with hiking trails on the outskirts of Harare, and the Botanical Gardens are definitely worth a visit too.