Your stay — OLD TRAFFORD
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The Property — OLD TRAFFORD
The Old Trafford is a modest three-star hotel in central Chinhoyi, with a functional lobby and a bar that feels like a local meeting point. It’s not fancy, but the rooms are clean and the staff are direct and helpful. The hotel suits budget-conscious travellers or contractors passing through who need a reliable base near the highway. The main pitch is the pool and the on-site restaurant serving straightforward Zimbabwean fare.
Chronicles of Chinhoyi
Chinhoyi began as a small mining and farming settlement in the early 20th century, named after a local chief. The town grew around the railway line and the rich agricultural land of the Mashonaland West province. Architectural progress has been slow, with most buildings dating from the 1950s–70s in a utilitarian style. Today, Chinhoyi is a quiet provincial hub known for the dramatic Chinhoyi Caves, a limestone karst system popular with divers and day-trippers. Culturally, it remains relaxed and informal, with a strong small-town vibe.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chinhoyi guide →Best months
May to August: winter in Zimbabwe, with clear skies, mild days (20–25°C) and cool nights – perfect for exploring the caves without heat. Crowds are low outside school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
December to January: summer school holidays and Christmas, when rains can be heavy. The hotel fills with domestic tourists visiting family; prices edge up 10–15%.
Budget shoulder season
April and September: the weather is still good (significantly cooler than summer), but hotel rates drop and you’ll have the caves nearly to yourself.
Weather & packing
July is dry season but mornings and evenings can be cold (down to 5°C); bring a fleece or light jacket. Pack sturdy walking shoes for the caves, and a swimsuit for the hotel pool.
Live City Briefing — Chinhoyi
- The Chinhoyi Caves are open daily but the main access road was resurfaced in early 2026; check for any last-minute closure notices before driving.
- Harare–Chinhoyi buses run hourly from Mbare, but some operators have switched to cash-only payments since the start of 2026.
- Lunga Road, which links the town centre to the hotel, has several new speed bumps installed; allow an extra 5 minutes for local travel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to OLD TRAFFORD, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a rear-facing room on floors 3 or 4. These are high enough to avoid ground-level bustle and face away from the main road, giving you a quieter night.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the front entrance or lobby; they pick up footfall and any street noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the bar or restaurant area on floor 1 if the property has them.
Best views
Rooms at the back offer views of the garden or surrounding low-rise suburban area rather than the street. No standout scenic vista given the location.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, being sufficiently elevated to reduce street and lobby sounds.
🔊 Noise notes
Chinhoyi’s main road can have traffic during the day, so front-facing rooms on lower floors hear vehicle noise. The hotel’s bar and restaurant generate evening sounds on floor 1. No major nightlife nearby, but the town centre has some ambient activity.
Insider tips
1. Check in early to secure a rear-facing room; they are limited. 2. If you arrive by car, request a parking spot away from the hotel entrance to avoid early-morning engine noise.
- 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 — OLD TRAFFORD
Free for all guests; speed around 10 Mbps download. Login via voucher at reception.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only.
No physical newspapers. Complimentary PressReader access via hotel tablet in lounge.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available after 08:00 if room not ready. Late checkout until 18:00 costs 50% of nightly rate.
Free storage for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage on request for small fee (USD 5).
No step-free access. Main entrance has two steps; no ramp or wheelchair-adapted rooms.
Free on-site parking for up to 30 cars. No EV charging. Nearest public car park is Chinhoyi Municipal Parking (USD 2 per night).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking. Incidental hold of USD 50 at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Jehovah's witness (706 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Mpata section (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Evangelical church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Place of worship: Anglican Church (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Gore Complex — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Chirorordziva grounds — 416 m · ~5 min walk
VR games — 699 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
muller Bank — 717 m · ~9 min walk
Chinhoyi Pharmacy — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Chinhoyi main rank (bus terminus) — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Zimbabwean dollar, ZWL
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and hotel bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards are accepted in larger supermarkets and hotels, but cash is king in markets and for transport.
Tip 10% in restaurants for good service; round up taxi fares; offer a small amount to hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of filter coffee at a local café or roadside stall costs about 5-10 ZWL.
A sadza and relish plate at a town centre eatery runs around 30-50 ZWL.
A simple main of grilled meat or fish with rice or chips costs about 60-80 ZWL at a local restaurant.
Look for vendors near bus ranks and markets selling grilled maize, sausages, and fried snacks.
OK supermarket and TM Supermarkets are common chains in Chinhoyi.
Chinhoyi's main market stalls and second-hand clothes (mazenze) shops offer cheap clothing.
Commuter minibuses (kombis) cost around 5-10 ZWL for most town trips; from the airport take a shared kombi to town for about 15-20 ZWL.
Eat where locals eat for the cheapest meals; use kombis instead of taxis; buy bottled water from supermarkets, not tourist shops.
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 OLD TRAFFORD
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · muller Bank — 717 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Chinhoyi Pharmacy — 1.4 km · ~18 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 OLD TRAFFORD?
Request a rear-facing room on floors 3 or 4. These are high enough to avoid ground-level bustle and face away from the main road, giving you a quieter night.
Which rooms should I avoid at OLD TRAFFORD?
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the front entrance or lobby; they pick up footfall and any street noise. Also avoid rooms directly above the bar or restaurant area on floor 1 if the property has them.
Is OLD TRAFFORD noisy?
Chinhoyi’s main road can have traffic during the day, so front-facing rooms on lower floors hear vehicle noise. The hotel’s bar and restaurant generate evening sounds on floor 1. No major nightlife nearby, but the town centre has some ambient activity.
Which rooms have the best views at OLD TRAFFORD?
Rooms at the back offer views of the garden or surrounding low-rise suburban area rather than the street. No standout scenic vista given the location.
What are insider tips for staying at OLD TRAFFORD?
1. Check in early to secure a rear-facing room; they are limited. 2. If you arrive by car, request a parking spot away from the hotel entrance to avoid early-morning engine noise.
What time is check-in at OLD TRAFFORD?
Check-in at OLD TRAFFORD is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does OLD TRAFFORD have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed around 10 Mbps download. Login via voucher at reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at OLD TRAFFORD?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near OLD TRAFFORD?
A sadza and relish plate at a town centre eatery runs around 30-50 ZWL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from OLD TRAFFORD?
Commuter minibuses (kombis) cost around 5-10 ZWL for most town trips; from the airport take a shared kombi to town for about 15-20 ZWL.
When is the best time to visit Chinhoyi?
May to August: winter in Zimbabwe, with clear skies, mild days (20–25°C) and cool nights – perfect for exploring the caves without heat. Crowds are low outside school holidays.
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.