In 2003, the Matshiya family moved into what is now Melina guesthouse and immediately knew that there was something special about the place. Located in Greystone Park, an exclusive suburb in hilly Northern Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, the property was lovingly tended by the family in the intervening 20-odd years, with special attention paid to its gardens.

So how did such a lovely home become a guesthouse that welcomes visitors from all over the world?

“We are your typical African family, and so we interact a lot with our extended family,” explained Mr and Mrs Matshiya. “We enjoy hosting people and we always had family members coming over. Maybe we were always meant to make this a guesthouse!”