Reviews of Victoria Falls Hotel

"From the welcome at the door of the hotel by Duli, the bell captain, to our departure for Botswana everything at Victoria Falls Hotel was well-organised and charming. The whole hotel is furnished and decorated in a comfortable Edwardian colonial style with lots of quiet and cool seating areas, ceiling fans making a light breeze and fascinating period pictures and cartoons in the corridors. The style seems to be more British than anywhere found in Britain, albeit in deepest Africa. The smiling, polite and friendly staff couldn't do enough for us- always a friendly African-style greeting.

Our room was Central Deluxe, well-located and quiet (except for air conditioning which was a noisy wall-mounted unit). Some of the bathroom fittings and decor are a little tired but this added to the charm of staying in the past.

There are three choices for dining. The dress code in the Livingstone Restaurant is shirt and trousers - no shorts, t-shirts or jeans but they do not require ties and jackets or black tie as some other travellers expected. We enjoyed the 7 course tasting menu which was very reasonably priced and expertly served.

High tea on the Spencer Terrace is a real treat with great views of the bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia and the spray from the falls. It's a huge meal with sandwiches, cakes and scones with jam and cream - very British. They also serve light meals including burgers, salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches at lunch-time and evening. Everything was very reasonably priced.

The Jungle Junction is an outside restaurant where you get breakfast every day (breakfast is included in the room price). There is a great choice for breakfast with freshly cooked eggs and hot and cold food, fruit, bread, cereals, etc. In the evening the restaurant is open from 7 pm with a show at 7.30 to 8.15. The dinner menu is buffet style but we enjoyed excellent beef sirloin and quite a varied choice. The show was carried out with energy but was a bit disappointing.

The hotel grounds are extensive and attractive with wildlife wandering around including vervet monkeys, a family of banded mongoose and warthogs. The hotel has a private gate and track down to the Victoria Falls park entrance which is quite a short-cut. We were accompanied by a security guard from the hotel who advised on politely turning down offers from itinerant vendors and gave re-assurance about animals - there were fresh elephant droppings on the track but we did not see any.

The small town of Victoria Falls is a short walk from the hotel but there's not much there apart from a few gift shops, banks and tourist agencies.

We would definitely return and stay again at the Victoria Falls Hotel." See all these reviews: 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe

"What a location.

The service and food was spoilt on the first night, second day used Livingstone Room excellent service and food, like chalk and cheese from the two days" See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 3n in South Africa; 2n in Zimbabwe

"Well worth breaking the long journey from home before driving into Hwange.

Olde Worlde atmosphere with good service and food. Short walk to Victoria Falls National Park which is questionable value at $30 per person in September/October unless you are desperate to see a partial waterfall.

Hotel pool was most welcome for some early morning exercise." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe

"SURPASSED EXPECTATIONS, WARM AND FRIENDLY WELCOME, SUPER ROOM AND GREAT STAFF.

LOCATION IS PERFECT FOR A WALK TO THE FALLS.

FOOD WAS STUNNING ENJOYED THE LIVINGSTON ROOM ESPECIALLY, DRINKS ON THE TERRACE WITH THE VIEW OF THE BRIDGE UNFORGETABLE." See all these reviews: 3n in Zimbabwe

"We had a fantastic time.

The Livingstone Room was great venue for a special dinner." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe

"It had been nearly 30 years since we were last at The Vic Falls Hotel and what a return they laid on - back to its absolute best and as a very frequent traveler I would say one of the best hotels I have stayed in anywhere.

Rooms beautiful, gardens glorious, service impeccable and food amazing. The absolute best way to end a safari in Africa." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe

"The Vic Falls Hotel is a predictable but nonetheless charming place to stay.

Really good swimming pool area and obviously a prime location above the Falls (which were exceptionally dry when we visited)." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe

"Very attentive service and fabulous colonial hotel. Very hard to fault. Rooms comfortable but aircon units quite noisy (so turned off at night).

Information about the wifi being limited to 3 devices but being able to get additional codes at Service Counter would have been helpful at the start of our stay (as I had problems in logging onto work for a call on the Friday night)." See all these reviews: 2n in Zimbabwe

"Goodness - where to begin? A beautiful building making every best use of light, space and airiness even amid the midday heat. The character of the Victoria Falls hotel hits top notes to rival Maria Callas, yet with the discretion and understatement of a Lady rather than a prima donna. Most telling was the response of the 'bell hop' (a terrible phrase for a mature man) who not only revelled in my delight at the surroundings but who could not conceal his pride at five years association with this fabulous establishment. Its history, borne out in carefully chosen furnishings and art works, is a backdrop rather than a burden and carries through from the 'public' areas into the sumptuously equipped bedrooms.

The high standard of service was sustained throughout my stay, the staff attending unobtrusively to every detail. For example, on day one I asked the chamber staff how I might obtain an iron. On day two he asked if I had been given one - to which I replied 'no, but only because I haven't asked yet'. Remembering such details was a common feature across the team - this is an establishment whose leadership has very clearly managed to establish a sense of shared identity and professional pride at every level.

As to the food, I don't believe I have seen such a generously supplied breakfast, catering to every taste. Lunchtime sandwich 'snacks' could easily have served two. And I have a lingering memory of the mouthwatering dinner at the Livingstone Restaurant, being still unable to forgive myself for allowing the waiter to take my plate with some of my dish uneaten, even though I was full. Amazingly I nonetheless managed the occasional swim in the commodious pool which was just at the perfect temperature and provided with towels just when required.

Through enquiry I learned that the hotel is a little larger than when originally built, but this is scarcely felt as everything is entirely in keeping. A wander around the grounds revealed some crannies and oases that made the whole hotel feel entirely private.

The location is, of course, explicit in the name. Having visited for the purpose of seeing the Falls my stay was brief but the 'Activities' desk was receiving new hand-painted signage during my stay and I am sure there is plenty else on offer.

The only negative I can think of (and I am really having to dredge) is that the drinks service at the Stanley's Terrace was occasionally a little slow. But, with a view of Victoria Falls to gaze upon, this was scarcely a hardship." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe

"We really enjoyed being a part of the history of the Falls, by staying in this wonderful old hotel.

The only negative comment concerned the air conditioning unit in our room, which was extremely noisy.

However, we do appreciate that this is an old hotel, and it didn't detract from our overall experience." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 5n in Zambia; 2n in Zimbabwe; 2n in Botswana