Reviews of Royal Livingstone Hotel

"Having been to the falls previously we knew what to expect and the Hotel did not let us down. It is a step up from the Zambezi Sun and it was really nice to have the easy access to the falls.

Water levels are lower this year than when we were here previously. If you wished it was possible to walk across the river to the top of the falls. We took the river Safari organised by Wildernes Safaris which was very relaxing and enjoyable giving us sightings of lots of wildlife and of course those spectacular sunsets. I have read previous comments on the web site about the hotel and I would agree that wine is far too expensive but we overcame this by having a glass not a bottle.

The staff were excellent when we were there, attentive without being over bearing. I was dissappointed to see and hear some tourists, not Brits, being in my view very rude but to their credit staff ignored it and behaved superbly. Finally the question of rooms.

Yes they are perhaps a bit smaller than you might expect from a 5* hotel but overall the facilities are very good and the price is good value, especilly compared to what some lodges cost." See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"The Royal Livingstone is a very nice hotel, luxurious and well kept. It is very big (170 rooms), so it is rather impersonal and touristy, but that was expected. The best thing about it is its location: on the eastern bank of the Zambezi, within walking distance (10 min) of the falls, we could see the spray from our very comfortable second-floor room (though we couldn't see the river because of the trees…).

The garden is big and full of large trees, and also plenty of vervet monkeys and some baboons, which are fun to watch for a while but then become a nuisance as they are very bold, you really need to keep your room well shut. We also saw zebra, impala and giraffe in the hotel grounds.

The service is generally very good, though it has many small glitches typical of big hotels in third world countries: one day they took the towels without putting new ones, another they didn't refill the minibar, didn't put more toilet paper, etc, no big deal really, and every time we called our butler he quickly came to fix whatever hadn't been done right.

The food in the restaurant is excellent and served pompously, which is kind of funny. The sunset bar is great, though it only opens from 5 to 7 and it's small, so you have to be there early to get a good seat as it quickly fills up for the sunset. Watch out for the monkeys: while I was enjoying a Dry Martini looking at the sunset, a vervet monkey jumped on the table, snatched the olive out and ate it! at least I reacted fast enough to give the little bstrd a slap in the back, and the good thing is that they gave me another drink.

On the day of arrival we had a 45 min swedish massage, which was great to recover from the long flight from Europe. They give the massage in outdoor gazebos overlooking the river, very relaxing (except when you hear the occasional hippo grunt nearby!)

We stayed 3 nights, which I think is perfect for exploring the falls from both sides (Zambian and Zimbabwean) and doing the 3 key activities: Livingstone island, river safari, helicopter. You can probably cram everything in with just 2 nights, but it would be very tiring unless you leave something out. I strongly recommend going to Zimbabwe to see the falls from there, the views are much better and it is perfectly safe.

We also did an elephant-back safari, which was great but there are other places in Africa where you can do it, so I don't think it is a “must” here. The activity I recommend the most is Livingstone Island, it's incredible how close you get to the falls, don't go if you suffer from vertigo. The heli ride is also awesome, breathtaking views over the falls. The river safari is very recommendable (certainly better than the bigger “booze cruise” in the African Queen), but not that unique (e.g., the one in Chobe is much better)" See all these reviews: 10n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia

"The hotel was extremely luxurious and in a great position and the staff were really attentive (if a bit over the top - we did not need a personal butler!). But it did feel rather like a pseudo-colonial experience and the extras (such as the food) were very expensive (and indeed not as good as the food we had later in Botswana lodges).

If we went again, we'd prefer to stay somewhere like the Tongabezi/Sinabezi - a bit further from the Falls, but more relaxed and better value." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 4n in Zambia

"After 7 days getting blown away with wind and dust it was wonderful to arrive at this hotel and relax, if ony for a couple of days. We feel that this was the right way to do it rather than start with the Royal Livingstone and the go on safari, but that's our opinion. This is a wonderful hotel in a location that can't be bettered.

I know that we have seen comments that the rooms are a bit on the small side, but we certainly didn't think so. Sometime the service was a little bit erratic, but it's Africa and that's what makes it so enjoyable. The settings and the grounds are beautiful and the fact that you walk to the Falls in a few minutes makes it was wonderful location. If you want to see the sunset from the Sundowner terrace get there early as all the best seats are taken by six o'clock in the evening.

We took advantage of a River Safari while we were there and were able to see a pod of hippos plus an adult crocodile which we hadn't managed in either Little Vumbura or Lebala which was an added bonus." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"It is a magic place , what else can i say . How often do you see zebras by the pool :-)

Evrything you can expect in a top hotel." See all these reviews: 3n in Botswana; 3n in Mozambique; 2n in Namibia; 1n in Zambia

"Excellent in most respects-appropriate for 5* hotel... but one problem with one meal. There was an unacceptably long wait before the main course-approx hour and half-and a suitable recompense-such as a bottle of wine - would normally be forthcoming...but it wasn't !" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 3n in Zambia

"The RL is a beautiful hotel in a wonderful location to see the falls and relax at the end of a safari in Zambia.

The food is excellent, the setting beautiful and the sunsets magical.

The RL is a very "American" hotel without the service to live up to it. The other major turn off was the price of wine which is very overpriced. The process of trying to obtain the information from the staff was often fruitless with constant one work answers... and the staff are looking for constantly looking for tips. The RL is frequented by many American guests in large organised trips so the independent traveller from the UK can find it a big strange in comparison to other, more traditional, African resorts.

That said, lazy days by the pool, an obligatory helicopter ride to see the falls properly, watching the sunset over the Zambezi and enjoying the fine food is no chore...." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia

"Victoria Falls was highlight of the holiday. Hotel was excellent considering state of Zambia." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 3n in Zambia

"We definitely stayed one night more than we should have -- but since I got a cold and my wife a stomach bug on arrival in Africa, it was very good that we had an extra day to recover.

The ambiance is wonderful, but basically it was more touristy than we wanted. The chef is good, but wildly overreaches his level of competence.

Strongly recommended for those who want to chill out at the start or end of an Africa trip." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia

"The first evening the staff had left lights on immediately outside our room and a lamp inside. When we return after dinner the room was full of insects. We call for service and they sprayed because of the volume of insects then literally swept out the room. On future nights the lights were left out to avoid the problem.

The price of wine was extortionate, a modest South African red which we can buy in England for less than £5 was $58 a btle." See all these reviews: 13n in Botswana; 7n in Zanzibar; 3n in Zambia