The Victoria Falls Hotel: Our View

The Victoria Falls Hotel is one of our favourite hotels in Southern Africa. This colonial era classic simply oozes luxury and history. Pricing is very reasonable for the unsurpassed grandeur and elegance that The Victoria Falls Hotel offers. There are 161 rooms ranging from “standard” through to “royal” and “presidential”, the latter classes being suites of luxurious rooms. This is a world renowned, iconic, stately, large hotel set in even larger grounds that extend down to the mighty Zambezi River and the world famous Victoria Falls.

The Victoria Falls Hotel is set as close to the actual Victoria Falls as one can hope to get. We in fact walked down to the Falls from the Hotel via a path that is accessed from the Hotel gardens. We saw evidence of elephant activity on the path though so it would be best to go with the guide that the Hotel offers free of charge! We sat in the sun on the huge Hotel Terrace (Stanley’s Terrace) sipping our cold beer and G&T while gazing at the towering column of spray that rises from the gorge below the thundering Falls.  At night the rail and road bridge that crosses the Zambezi River below the Falls is lit up with romantic, soft, pastel colours – clearly visible from the Hotel. The Victoria Falls Hotel is also well situated for walking into Victoria Falls Town which offers all sorts of hair-raising adventure tours as well as an exciting local market. Again, we would recommend taking a guide to the market as the vendors can be quite intimidating.

For those who enjoy history and art, each huge public room in this hotel is a delightful adventure of discovery. What is more, The Victoria Falls Hotel dining rooms offer excellent cuisine and service. Breakfast at their outdoor buffet restaurant is an experience not to be missed. The Victoria Falls Hotel formal dining room, The Livingstone Room, has been rated amongst the best restaurants in the world.

This hotel would particularly suit connoisseurs of colonial history and those who enjoy the luxury and elegance of a bygone era.

The Victoria Falls Hotel: Quick Facts

• 161 luxury rooms ranging from standard rooms to “royal” and “presidential” suites
• Steeped in history
• Easy access from abroad via the new Victoria Falls International Airport
• Excellent food and service at a variety of world class restaurants
• Within walking distance of Victoria Falls Town and the world renowned Victoria Falls
• A Hotel Spa plus Hair and Beauty salon
• Countless “Adventure Activities” offered nearby, from bungee jumping to white water rafting
• Adventure Activities can be booked at the Hotel Reception – collection from the Hotel
• Library, Art Gallery, Wifi
• Tennis Courts, Golf Course
• Iconic Steam Train Sunset Trip across the Falls rail and road bridge
• Children of all ages welcome

The Victoria Falls Hotel: The Details

The Victoria Falls Hotel is in our view one off the greatest hotels in Southern Africa. Quite frankly it should not be missed. From the moment we drove through the stately white archway that leads past their verdant lawns up to the imposing hotel entrance, we felt that we were entering the luxury and rich colonial history of a bygone era. At the entrance to the hotel lobby we were met by the doorman, Duly, who seemed almost as old as the hotel itself, dressed in a white uniform bedecked in badges and medals, and wearing a pith helmet. Duly was attentive and solicitous as he and his helpers ushered us from the vehicle into the elegant and grand Victoria Falls Hotel lobby. From the lobby we could see all the way down through multiple large entrances to the dazzling hotel gardens – that in turn lead down to the thundering Zambezi River.

Every public room at the Victoria Falls Hotel is a delight for anyone who enjoys colonial history. The walls are adorned with old photographs and framed documents detailing the building of the hotel and the rail bridge across the Zambezi, as well as the history of what was then Southern and Northern Rhodesia. Details of visits by Royals over the years are also reflected. One can sit in each room with a cup of tea or a drink and simply soak up the ambience of this Grand Old Lady.

The accommodation ranges across many different standards, but is always elegant and comfortable. We enjoy staying in the Stables Signature Wing rooms.

The lavish and world famous High Tea on the Stanley’s Terrace is another decadent and self indulgent activity not to be missed.

The Victoria Falls Hotel would suit couples celebrating a special occasion, individuals who are interested in colonial history, and families with children - who can play to their heart’s content in the huge grounds around the hotel.

Even if you can only spare a night or two at this world renowned and classic hotel we would strongly advise you to do so.