Reviews of Victoria Falls Hotel
Wildlife sightings and reviews
162 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Victoria Falls Hotel and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jun-2019, 26 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Victoria Falls Hotel.
Leopard
0% success
Elephant
38% success
Buffalo
5% success
Zebra
0% success
Mrs & Mrs J
uk
"Victoria Falls Hotel"
2 nights Arrived 2 Nov 2018
"Our short stop in the Victoria Falls Hotel was a great start to our holiday, the hotel was just the tonic to get over our long flight out to Africa, with comfort, excellent food and service. The hotel was in an ideal situation just a short walk from the falls. The sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi which we booked before we went was great.
Please be advised that you cannot withdraw any cash from cash points or banks etc in Zimbabwe, so make sure that you have plenty on dollars prior to arrival." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Please be advised that you cannot withdraw any cash from cash points or banks etc in Zimbabwe, so make sure that you have plenty on dollars prior to arrival." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs Y.
Lisserbroek
"Nostalgia at Vic Falls Hotel"
2 nights Arrived 22 Oct 2018
"Great hospitality in an old English setting. All staff were so friendly. They really know what guest experience is all about.
Great help organising the helicopter flight over the falls and some other questions we had.
Special thanks for the surprise for our anniversary (free cocktail and massage)!" See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 4n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Great help organising the helicopter flight over the falls and some other questions we had.
Special thanks for the surprise for our anniversary (free cocktail and massage)!" See all these reviews: 14n in Botswana; 4n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Miss A.
Pulborough
"Victoria Falls Hotel and experience"
2 nights Arrived 21 Oct 2018
"This was a stunning venue, with lovely helpful staff, especially on the booking in and tours desks, where our needs were fully and carefully considered, proving an excellent guided tour etc.
The room was very good, high standard, a bit noisy as at the back near the staff and work area of the hotel. Tea making really appreciated.
We enjoyed the up close and personal wild life in the grounds.
Swimming pool very good." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The room was very good, high standard, a bit noisy as at the back near the staff and work area of the hotel. Tea making really appreciated.
We enjoyed the up close and personal wild life in the grounds.
Swimming pool very good." See all these reviews: 9n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs R
Northum
"Lovely old hotel"
2 nights Arrived 15 Oct 2018
"We stayed here for two nights in a superior room during our trip. We were fortunate to stay in the building overlooking the gardens, towards the bridge. We could see the smoke from the falls from our room. This is an old hotel, so don’t expect a modern room but it is clean and comfortable. The bathroom is very old too, but clean and adequate, with a bath and over shower. The air con was excellent and kept the room nice and cool.
We had both lunch and dinner at Stanley’s Terrace and enjoyed both. Breakfast was served at the Jungle Junction, which was very good too. The buffet has lots of variety and also has a chef to cook things to order. There is even champagne on the buffet! The staff were very attentive and pleasant. Cecelia at customer services was particularly helpful and pleasant and she helped to make our stay enjoyable. The hotel also arranged the helicopter flight over the falls on the morning we were leaving, which we really enjoyed.
The only negative thing we could say about the hotel was the staff in Stanley’s Bar were not very attentive and we ended up having to go up to the bar to order our drinks. They then expected a tip when they brought them! That said we ordered some drinks in the Bulawayo Lounge (residents only) and the service was excellent.
The hotel is ideally situated as it is tucked away so its nice and quiet and the gardens are lovely to sit in. It is an easy walk to the falls but the direct path from the hotel has been closed since a lady was badly injured by an elephant. The pool is unheated but a nice area to sit and read a book. You can also get food there.
This was the largest accommodation we stayed in and we found it a bit of a shock to the system after being in smaller places prior to staying here. That said we were pleased we stayed here. It was very interesting looking at the old photos when there was nothing else around the hotel. There are some nice pictures of the Queen at the hotel from when she was a girl.
This hotel is not cheap but if we were to visit Victoria Falls again we would opt to stay here again." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
We had both lunch and dinner at Stanley’s Terrace and enjoyed both. Breakfast was served at the Jungle Junction, which was very good too. The buffet has lots of variety and also has a chef to cook things to order. There is even champagne on the buffet! The staff were very attentive and pleasant. Cecelia at customer services was particularly helpful and pleasant and she helped to make our stay enjoyable. The hotel also arranged the helicopter flight over the falls on the morning we were leaving, which we really enjoyed.
The only negative thing we could say about the hotel was the staff in Stanley’s Bar were not very attentive and we ended up having to go up to the bar to order our drinks. They then expected a tip when they brought them! That said we ordered some drinks in the Bulawayo Lounge (residents only) and the service was excellent.
The hotel is ideally situated as it is tucked away so its nice and quiet and the gardens are lovely to sit in. It is an easy walk to the falls but the direct path from the hotel has been closed since a lady was badly injured by an elephant. The pool is unheated but a nice area to sit and read a book. You can also get food there.
This was the largest accommodation we stayed in and we found it a bit of a shock to the system after being in smaller places prior to staying here. That said we were pleased we stayed here. It was very interesting looking at the old photos when there was nothing else around the hotel. There are some nice pictures of the Queen at the hotel from when she was a girl.
This hotel is not cheap but if we were to visit Victoria Falls again we would opt to stay here again." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr K & Mrs N
UK
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
1 night Arrived 4 Oct 2018
"This was our second night at the hotel. [Ed: See below for their stay here earlier in their holiday.]
On arriving room we were given was better than the first with a view of the gardens, which was a nice touch.
We didn’t eat our evening meal there but breakfast was perfect the next morning." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe
On arriving room we were given was better than the first with a view of the gardens, which was a nice touch.
We didn’t eat our evening meal there but breakfast was perfect the next morning." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms J.
London
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
3 nights Arrived 30 Sep 2018
"We enjoyed the Victoria Falls Hotel which was not run down at all as I had read.
It is situation in a handy location for the activities. However, we were told we needed a taxi to see the Falls but they are only about a 10 to 15 minute walk away. From the hotel you can see the spray but not the Falls.
We took the River Boat sunset cruise and the Steam Train evening, both were excellent. I also went in Devil's Pool which was in Zambia so necessitated crossing the boarder, but worth it.
The only downside to the Hotel is the helicopters constantly whirling overhead but this would apply whichever hotel one stayed in." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Namibia
It is situation in a handy location for the activities. However, we were told we needed a taxi to see the Falls but they are only about a 10 to 15 minute walk away. From the hotel you can see the spray but not the Falls.
We took the River Boat sunset cruise and the Steam Train evening, both were excellent. I also went in Devil's Pool which was in Zambia so necessitated crossing the boarder, but worth it.
The only downside to the Hotel is the helicopters constantly whirling overhead but this would apply whichever hotel one stayed in." See all these reviews: 8n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr K & Mrs N
UK
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
1 night Arrived 27 Sep 2018
"The Victoria Falls Hotel does take you back to a bygone era of colonial times. The essence of history has been skilfully maintained with the artefacts, paintings and photographs of royal visits adding to the ambiance of the hotel.
You can see upgrades are being made and married to the historic building.
Service was excellent from check in, dinner on the terrace and breakfast in the morning. The grounds are impeccably kept with banded mongoose, baboons and warthogs roaming the lawns. For some reason the gate to the falls was closed which was disappointing as this meant a walk to the falls via the town.
Rooms were clean and well maintained for an historic building, air conditioning was efficient, hotel provided a very good WiFi service." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe
You can see upgrades are being made and married to the historic building.
Service was excellent from check in, dinner on the terrace and breakfast in the morning. The grounds are impeccably kept with banded mongoose, baboons and warthogs roaming the lawns. For some reason the gate to the falls was closed which was disappointing as this meant a walk to the falls via the town.
Rooms were clean and well maintained for an historic building, air conditioning was efficient, hotel provided a very good WiFi service." See all these reviews: 8n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Family A
Scarborough
"Victoria Falls Hotel review"
3 nights Arrived 27 Sep 2018
"Just like my old Officers Mess in Hong Kong. Fabulous views.
We really enjoyed dinner in the Livingstone Room.
Excellent swimming pool.
Good job I am deaf because the roar of the constant helicopter traffic is a pain.
I did a fishing trip for a morning. Absolutely dreadful. The kit provided was poor and we effectively ran out of traces and pretty much had to stop. This was not cheap as I had to pay for the whole boat and i felt seriously ripped off." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
We really enjoyed dinner in the Livingstone Room.
Excellent swimming pool.
Good job I am deaf because the roar of the constant helicopter traffic is a pain.
I did a fishing trip for a morning. Absolutely dreadful. The kit provided was poor and we effectively ran out of traces and pretty much had to stop. This was not cheap as I had to pay for the whole boat and i felt seriously ripped off." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 9n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Terrible
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Mr B
New York
"Victoria Falls"
3 nights Arrived 22 Sep 2018
"A timeless classic and a great starting place before heading off for the main safari camps. The hotel was comfortable, the service and staff were very good. Breakfast in particular was very good with a lovely setting and plenty of variety to choose from. Hotel has undergone a slight renovation a few years ago but for many it might be considered to be in need of a little more work to polish it up. Our view might be slighted tainted by having a poor room location, being just off the main thoroughfare (Bulawayo Room) in the hotel."
See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
Avon
"A bit of luxury ..."
2 nights Arrived 20 Sep 2018
"We really enjoyed our stay and were upgraded to a fine suite...
The only shortcoming was the restaurants... one has a dress code and the other one a buffet (which we do not like) and the only other option was the terrace which served a rather limited menu.
We ate there once and chose to eat at the Ilala the other night." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe
The only shortcoming was the restaurants... one has a dress code and the other one a buffet (which we do not like) and the only other option was the terrace which served a rather limited menu.
We ate there once and chose to eat at the Ilala the other night." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Holiday styles & special interests in Zimbabwe
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zimbabwe.
Other lodges in Victoria Falls
Alternative places to stay in this same area.