US: Zimbabwean hotelier appointed head of luxury California resort

By Staff Reporter

UNITED STATES: Experienced Zimbabwean hotelier Fungai Muzunze has taken over as General Manager at The Lodge at Sonoma, a quintessential luxury resort located in the heart of Northern California’s wine country.

With more than 25 years of experience working in luxury hotels across the globe, Muzunze brings a wealth of expertise to his new role where he will oversee strategic and day-to-day operations at the expansive 182-room resort.

“I am honoured to join the team at The Lodge at Sonoma and to call this stunning wine country enclave home,” said Muzunze.

“Sonoma is a beloved destination for travellers and locals alike and I look forward to working alongside each team member and delivering a luxury experience that singularly highlights our enchanting locale to every guest at the resort.”

Prior to joining The Lodge at Sonoma, Muzunze served as General Manager of Hotel Emblem in San Francisco, where he successfully supported the hotel’s reopening, following its pandemic closure.

Additionally, Muzunze has managed several notable hotels throughout San Francisco, including having Management roles at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco and leading The Alise Hotel, and Infinity Hotel.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Africa, Muzunze began his career at Meikles Hotel, Zimbabwe’s premier hotel, before accepting a role at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha, Qatar.

During this time, he held various food and beverage roles before being selected to participate in Sommelier training, orchestrated by The Ritz-Carlton, in France and Italy.

Upon completing his training, Muzunze was accepted into Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, in Switzerland, where he earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management.

He was then recruited by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts for a Management position in San Francisco, where he led teams in the Food and Beverage and Rooms Departments before leaving to attain a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Golden Gate University.

When he is not at work, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Michelle and daughter, Alexis, reading, watching sports, exercising, and taking walks with their 100-pound German Shepard dog, Lincoln.