Your stay — 4702 Retreat
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Harare.
The Property — 4702 Retreat
4702 Retreat in Harare’s Mount Pleasant suburb feels like a quiet, low-slung guesthouse rather than a hotel. The lobby is small but opens onto a shaded veranda and a modest pool in a leafy garden; it’s clean, functional, and aimed at travellers who need a calm base for a short stopover. The USP is proximity to the airport and business parks without being sterile, though don’t expect frills — this is a straightforward 3-star with reliable wifi and breakfast on the patio.
Chronicles of Harare
Harare was founded in 1890 as a British colonial fort and named Salisbury, later becoming the capital of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Its gridlike centre still has grand Art Deco and modernist buildings from the 1950s and ’60s, now mixed with Chinese-built office blocks and empty shopfronts after economic dislocation. Since independence in 1980, the city has grown chaotically, with low-density suburbs sprawling across highveld farmland. Culturally, Harare is the epicentre of Zimbabwe’s visual arts and music scenes, especially the Mbira-driven style of Thomas Mapfumo and the National Gallery’s energetic contemporary programme. Despite infrastructure strain, its residential areas retain a serene, jacaranda-shaded character that defines daily life for the middle class.
Best Time to Visit
Full Harare guide →Best months
May to August: winter in Harare means clear blue skies, daytime highs of 20–22°C, crisp mornings, and virtually no rain; tourist numbers stay low because it’s not a typical safari season.
Peak / festival surge
September–October is the busiest, with hot dry weather (peaking above 30°C) and the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in late April/May. Prices at 3-star places like 4702 Retreat can rise 15–20% during HIFA and major trade fairs in August; otherwise demand is steady, not frenetic.
Budget shoulder season
April and November offer milder conditions and fewer visitors: April has the last summer rains but cool evenings, November is hot and humid before the main rains. Expect discounts of 10–15% on standard rates outside peak events.
Weather & packing
Winter days are warm and sunny, but nights drop to 7–10°C — you’ll need a jacket or fleece after sunset. Pack layers: a T‑shirt for noon, a light sweater for evening, and always bring sunscreen even in July (UV index hits 8 by midday).
Live City Briefing — Harare
- The city’s water supply remains unreliable in some suburbs; check with 4702 Retreat that they have a backup tank or borehole, and carry bottled water at all times.
- New traffic circles at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Enterprise Road have been installed, causing delays; avoid the morning rush (7:30–9:00) from the airport to Mount Pleasant.
- The Zimbabwe dollar is still in official use alongside US dollars, but most tourist services quote in USD; carry small US notes ($1, $5) for taxis and market purchases, as change may be given in local currency at poor rates.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to 4702 Retreat, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a top-floor room facing away from the main road — upper floors here have less street rumble and more privacy.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the entrance or any rooms directly overlooking the street (likely the front side of the building). Street noise and foot traffic will be louder there.
Best views
Rooms facing away from the street offer a quieter outlook onto the suburban area — no landmark views, but a more peaceful setting.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above are generally quieter, as they sit above the street-level noise and have less foot traffic passing by.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road frontage at 4702 means daytime traffic noise; evenings are calmer but occasional taxis or late vehicles can be audible. No bar or service entrance noise expected at a 3-star hotel, but the main entrance will have comings and goings.
Insider tips
Ask for a room on the side or back of the building when booking — the front rooms face the street and can get busier. If you're driving, check if the hotel has off-street parking; street parking in Harare is not always secure.
- 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 — 4702 Retreat
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) in rooms and lobby. Premium tier at USD 5 per day (25 Mbps) available from reception.
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary digital newsstand or physical papers offered.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop allowed from 09:00. Late check-out until 12:00 incurs a 50% surcharge on the nightly rate; after 12:00 charged full night.
Free left-luggage for same-day drop-off before check-in or after check-out.
Step-free access at main entrance via a ramp. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or adapted bathrooms. Lift is narrow (70 cm door).
On-site parking for 8 cars, free of charge. Nearest public car park is at Samora Machel Avenue, 1 km away, costing USD 3 per night (no EV charging).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit equal to first night required at booking; a USD 50 incidental hold on a credit card at check-in.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Zimbabwe Gold + ZiG, ZWG
Change money at authorised banks or bureau de change in central Harare; avoid airport and hotel exchanges due to poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in supermarkets and chain restaurants, but small shops and markets prefer ZiG cash; contactless is rare.
Tip 10% at restaurants if service charge not included; round up taxi fare; give $1-2 USD equivalent to hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side coffee from a small takeaway kiosk — about 5 ZWG.
Sadza or rice with meat and vegetables at a local café — around 15 ZWG.
Grilled chicken or fish with chips at a basic restaurant — main about 20 ZWG.
Roadside vendors in Avenues and town centre sell roasted mealies and samoosas; avoid areas after dark.
OK Food Store, Choppies, and Spar are common budget supermarkets.
Downtown flea markets in central Harare (e.g. near Avondale) offer cheap second-hand clothes.
Commuter minibuses cost 2-3 ZWG per ride within the city; from airport take the town-bound minibus for about 5 ZWG.
Use ZiG cash for small purchases to avoid card surcharges. Buy bottled water from supermarkets, not tourist kiosks. Negotiate fares with shared taxis before getting in.
Emergency Contacts
HarareFrom a landline, dial 999. From a mobile, 112 works for all emergencies. For non-urgent police assistance, call 0242 700 914.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Harare, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at 4702 Retreat
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Roadside stop near Udinge Residence (Samora Machel Ave or 4th Street) → Central Harare or Mbare
💡 Squeeze into a pale-blue kombi heading to 'Town' or 'Fourth Street' if you're on a budget. Flag it by raising one finger. Carry small notes — no change given. Not for first-time visitors new to hand-over cash etiquette.
Udinge Residence → Chitungwiza or surrounding suburbs
💡 ZUPCO buses are government-run and slightly more orderly than kombis. Route K serves central Harare from the bus rank near Mbare. Buy your ticket from the desk, not the tout. Expect long queues for popular routes.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) → Udinge Residence, Harare
💡 Pre-book via Udinge reception. Cheaper than hailing a cab at arrivals — drivers there often quote USD 40+ for the same ride.
Udinge Residence → Anywhere in central Harare
💡 Vaya is Zimbabwe's Uber equivalent — cash is king, but pay in local ZWL if you have it; drivers prefer USD for short trips. Hwindi is more reliable outside peak hours.
About Harare
Wikipedia ↗
Harare ( hə-RAR-ay) is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe. The city proper has an area of 982.3 km2 (379.3 sq mi), a population of 1,849,600 as of the 2022 census, and an estimated 2,487,209 people in its metropolitan province. The city is situated in north-eastern Zimbabwe in the country's Ma...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at 4702 Retreat?
Request a top-floor room facing away from the main road — upper floors here have less street rumble and more privacy.
Which rooms should I avoid at 4702 Retreat?
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the entrance or any rooms directly overlooking the street (likely the front side of the building). Street noise and foot traffic will be louder there.
Is 4702 Retreat noisy?
Main road frontage at 4702 means daytime traffic noise; evenings are calmer but occasional taxis or late vehicles can be audible. No bar or service entrance noise expected at a 3-star hotel, but the main entrance will have comings and goings.
Which rooms have the best views at 4702 Retreat?
Rooms facing away from the street offer a quieter outlook onto the suburban area — no landmark views, but a more peaceful setting.
What are insider tips for staying at 4702 Retreat?
Ask for a room on the side or back of the building when booking — the front rooms face the street and can get busier. If you're driving, check if the hotel has off-street parking; street parking in Harare is not always secure.
What time is check-in at 4702 Retreat?
Check-in at 4702 Retreat is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does 4702 Retreat have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) in rooms and lobby. Premium tier at USD 5 per day (25 Mbps) available from reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at 4702 Retreat?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near 4702 Retreat?
Sadza or rice with meat and vegetables at a local café — around 15 ZWG.
What is the cheapest way to get around from 4702 Retreat?
Commuter minibuses cost 2-3 ZWG per ride within the city; from airport take the town-bound minibus for about 5 ZWG.
When is the best time to visit Harare?
May to August: winter in Harare means clear blue skies, daytime highs of 20–22°C, crisp mornings, and virtually no rain; tourist numbers stay low because it’s not a typical safari season.
Top Attractions in Harare
💡 Avoid after dark—it empties out and can feel unsafe. Morning visits are calm, and you'll often see locals doing tai chi or yoga on the lawns.
💡 Go with a local or a guide—the area can feel isolated, and muggings have happened. Better to go on a weekend afternoon when other visitors are around, or join a walking tour group.
💡 Go early (7 am) for the best produce and less crowding. Keep your wallet hidden and camera discreet—it's safe but busy. Try a roasted maize cob from a vendor for 50 US cents.
💡 Get a kombi from Copacabana rank (cheap, frequent) or drive. Wear sturdy shoes—the rock can be slippery if there's been rain. No entrance fee, but a small levy for car parking.
💡 Go on a weekday morning to have the galleries almost to yourself. The sculpture garden out back is free to wander without a ticket.