Your stay — Changing room
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The Property — Changing room
The Changing Room is a no-frills lodge built around a small pool and bar, popular with overland groups and budget-conscious divers heading to the nearby Chinhoyi Caves. The lobby is plain, tiled, and smells faintly of sunblock and detergent, with a noticeboard full of tour leaflets in Afrikaans and English. Its USP is pure convenience: a solid 3-star sleep, a cold beer on the terrace, and easy access to the limestone gorge that draws most visitors.
Chronicles of Chinhoyi
Chinhoyi was originally a mining camp called Sinoia, founded in the early 20th century around lead, zinc and gold deposits. It grew as a farming and rail hub under Rhodesian rule, and was renamed Chinhoyi in 1982 as part of post-independence toponymic reforms. The city's architecture is dominated by 1960s low-rises, wide roads and functional concrete, with little of the Victorian charm of Harare or Bulawayo. Culturally, Chinhoyi is a Shona-speaking market town, known for its citrus orchards and as a stopover for travellers en route to the Zambezi Valley. Its identity today hinges on the nearby Chinhoyi Caves, a blue-water sinkhole that draws weekend trippers from the capital.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chinhoyi guide →Best months
May to September: winter dry season with clear skies, daytime highs around 24°C, and low humidity. The caves are at their most spectacular when the water is still and the light angles low.
Peak / festival surge
August is peak: school holidays in Zimbabwe mean domestic visitors pack the caves and the hotel. Prices at the Changing Room jump about 20-30% over standard rates, and you'll need to book at least four weeks ahead. The Zimbabwe International Carnival in Harare (late August) spills some spillover traffic.
Budget shoulder season
July (the month of your stay) is a shoulder month within the dry season — you'll still get good weather but fewer crowds than August. June and early September also offer discounts of 10-15% and quieter cave visits.
Weather & packing
Winter mornings in Chinhoyi can drop to 7°C, while afternoons hit 24°C, a range of 17 degrees. Pack a fleece or light jacket for dawn and dusk, plus a swimsuit for the hotel pool — the water stays cold but the sun warms up fast.
Live City Briefing — Chinhoyi
- The main Harare–Chinhoyi road (A1) is undergoing widening near the Citrus Park junction; expect 20-minute delays and rough sections from July 2026 onward.
- Chinhoyi Caves National Park has introduced a new online booking system for guided tours of the Sleeping Pool; walk-ups are now limited to 50 per day.
- A new solar-powered borehole is being installed at the town's main market, which should reduce the chronic water shortages that sometimes affect the Changing Room's supply during July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Changing room, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the higher floors (above the 3rd floor) for a quieter stay. The hotel has a 4-storey layout with no lift, so rooms on the top floor may have less foot traffic and noise from the entrance.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift and service entrance as there may be noise from guests and staff moving throughout the day.
Best views
Unfortunately, there is no information on the hotel's orientation, but rooms on the higher floors may have a better view of the surrounding area.
Quietest floors
3rd floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Guests may experience noise from the street, especially during peak hours, and from the nearby service entrance. The hotel's location in Chinhoyi may also mean some noise from nearby businesses or traffic.
Insider tips
Park your vehicle in the designated parking area near the entrance, as spaces may be limited near the hotel. Check-in is available during business hours, so plan your arrival accordingly to avoid waiting.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Changing room
free tier, 10 Mbps speed; no login constraints
serves all floors; no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) via in-room TVs
06:00-22:00; early bag-drop available; late check-out until 14:00 with 50% room rate charge
available at $5 per bag per day
step-free access; wheelchair entries at main entrance; some rooms with structural limitations
on-site parking available; $10 per night; nearest public car park at Chinhoyi Bus Terminal ($5 per day); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: US$50 advance deposit; $20 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Celebration Church Chinhoyi (730 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Methodist Church in Zimbabwe Muzari Society (876 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: Musha weBetania Roman Catholic Church (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Church: Salvation church (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Chidavaenzi complex — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Floral Designs — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Chinhoyi Pharmacy — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Gain Wholesale — 152 m · ~2 min walk
Chinhoyi — 354 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Zimbabwean Dollar, ZWL
Travelers can exchange currency at local banks, such as the National Building Society, but be aware that the rates may not be favorable. Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureaux, as they often charge poor rates.
Credit and debit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted at major hotels and restaurants, but cash is still king in local markets and small businesses. Contactless payments are not common, and mobile payments are limited.
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, 5-10 ZWL is sufficient, while taxi drivers and hotel staff expect around 10-20 ZWL.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →You can find affordable coffee at local cafes, where a cup of coffee costs around 20-50 ZWL.
Street vendors near the town centre offer affordable lunches, with a plate of sadza and stew costing around 30-50 ZWL.
A budget-friendly dinner at a local restaurant can cost around 80-150 ZWL for a main course.
The local market in Chinhoyi offers a variety of street food, including grilled meats and vegetables.
The main supermarket in Chinhoyi is OK Zimbabwe, which offers a range of basic groceries.
For affordable shopping, head to the local market, where you can find second-hand and new clothing at reasonable prices.
A day pass for the Chinhoyi bus service costs around 10-20 ZWL, while a taxi ride from the airport costs around 50-100 ZWL.
Negotiate prices when shopping at local markets.Use local transportation, such as buses, instead of taxis.Avoid exchanging money at tourist bureaux and opt for local banks instead.
Emergency Contacts
ChinhoyiFor all emergencies, dial 999 from a landline. Mobile users can try 112. Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital: (067) 22100. Tourist police: (067) 22044.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chinhoyi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Changing room
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk — pharmacy · Chinhoyi Pharmacy — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Chinhoyi Town Centre (near Spar Supermarket) → Cherima 5021 (Chinhoyi suburbs)
💡 Flag down a kombi heading toward the Mupedzanhamo direction; tell the driver 'Cherima bypass'. They’re cramped but fast. Carry small notes—drivers rarely have change for a US$10.
Harare (any rental agency) → Cherima 5021, Chinhoyi
💡 The A1 highway is in good condition but watch for cattle and pedestrians after dark. Rent a 4x4 if visiting Chinhoyi Caves. Park securely inside the hotel compound—street parking is risky.
Harare Roadport (near central bus terminal) → Chinhoyi Bus Rank (town centre)
💡 Buses leave when full, so arrive early. The drop-off point is 2 km from Cherima 5021—take a short kombi or taxi (about $3). The last bus back to Harare is usually around 5:30 PM.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) → Cherima 5021, Chinhoyi
💡 Use local operators like Chinhoyi Cabs or hire through your hotel. Negotiate the price before departing—drivers often ask for $100 but settle at $80. Confirm the vehicle type; a sedan is fine for two people with luggage.
About Chinhoyi
Wikipedia ↗Chinhoyi, previously known as Sinoia during the colonial era, is a city in central northern Zimbabwe in the Makonde District. It has a population of 90,800 and is primarily a college town, although it was originally founded as an Italian group settlement scheme. The nearby Chinhoyi Caves and nation...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Changing room?
Request a room on the higher floors (above the 3rd floor) for a quieter stay. The hotel has a 4-storey layout with no lift, so rooms on the top floor may have less foot traffic and noise from the entrance.
Which rooms should I avoid at Changing room?
Avoid rooms near the lift and service entrance as there may be noise from guests and staff moving throughout the day.
Is Changing room noisy?
Guests may experience noise from the street, especially during peak hours, and from the nearby service entrance. The hotel's location in Chinhoyi may also mean some noise from nearby businesses or traffic.
Which rooms have the best views at Changing room?
Unfortunately, there is no information on the hotel's orientation, but rooms on the higher floors may have a better view of the surrounding area.
What are insider tips for staying at Changing room?
Park your vehicle in the designated parking area near the entrance, as spaces may be limited near the hotel. Check-in is available during business hours, so plan your arrival accordingly to avoid waiting.
What time is check-in at Changing room?
Check-in at Changing room is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Changing room have Wi-Fi?
free tier, 10 Mbps speed; no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Changing room?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Changing room?
Street vendors near the town centre offer affordable lunches, with a plate of sadza and stew costing around 30-50 ZWL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Changing room?
A day pass for the Chinhoyi bus service costs around 10-20 ZWL, while a taxi ride from the airport costs around 50-100 ZWL.
When is the best time to visit Chinhoyi?
May to September: winter dry season with clear skies, daytime highs around 24°C, and low humidity. The caves are at their most spectacular when the water is still and the light angles low.
Top Attractions in Chinhoyi
💡 Ask the curator about the San rock art replicas — they explain the original sites nearby. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
💡 Walk along Lomagundi Road to see the old post office and courthouse. The market at the intersection of Harare Road is best in the morning for fresh produce and second-hand clothes.
💡 Stand on the old bridge platform at around 4pm for light over the river. Trains still pass through occasionally — check with the station master for timing.
💡 Start from the footbridge near Riverside Shopping Centre. Best during the dry season (May–September) when the path is firm. Bring water and avoid walking alone after dusk.
💡 Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and see the sunlight hit the water at its bluest. Bring a torch for the darker passages.