Luxury Zimbabwe Hotel | Victoria Falls Hotel

The place

As we approach the stately and elegant Victoria Falls Hotel, appropriately known as the Grand Lady, we feel like we’re walking back into the 19th century. Set in lush tropical gardens with lily ponds, ancient shady trees and semi-tropical shrubs next to the very railway that Cecil John Rhodes envisioned to link Cape Town to Cairo, the hotel is steeped in history. As we enter its grand marble-floored lobby, it’s hard to believe it was originally built as accommodation for Cape-to-Cairo railworkers. After enjoying a warm welcome, we decide to join the rest of the guests for high tea on Stanley’s Terrace, leaving our bags with a porter to take to our room. As we nibble on dainty sandwiches and sip on Earl Grey, the ubiquitous sight and sound of the falls thundering down below captivates our imagination and our senses.

As we approach the stately and elegant Victoria Falls Hotel, appropriately known as the Grand Lady, we feel like we’re walking back into the 19th century.

Set in lush tropical gardens with lily ponds, ancient shady trees and semi-tropical shrubs next to the very railway that Cecil John Rhodes envisioned to link Cape Town to Cairo, the hotel is steeped in history. As we enter its grand marble-floored lobby, it’s hard to believe it was originally built as accommodation for Cape-to-Cairo railworkers.

After enjoying a warm welcome, we decide to join the rest of the guests for high tea on Stanley’s Terrace, leaving our bags with a porter to take to our room. As we nibble on dainty sandwiches and sip on Earl Grey, the ubiquitous sight and sound of the falls thundering down below captivates our imagination and our senses.

The room

Our room is decorated in the classic Edwardian style of the colonialist era with a romantic four-poster bed dressed in incredibly soft linen and enveloped in mosquito nets. My partner claims the dark-wood writing desk as I laze on the chaise lounge and turn on the TV, only to promptly turn it off again – there are too many wonders to behold outdoors! I open the curtains to let in the natural light and walk out to the verandah, which is open to views of the perfectly manicured gardens below. I’m entranced by the way The Smoke that Thunders mists up the dramatic gorges of the Zambezi River. The spray from the falls fills me with a childlike excitement; I can’t wait to see this up close. With the hotel’s private walkway to the falls, we’re just 10 minutes away from one of the most breathtaking Seven Natural Wonders of the World! We decide to take a quick shower before exploring the grounds. The bathroom is wonderfully modern; there’s a large bath, his-and-hers basins and an enormous showerhead. Later, we sit on our verandah and watch the sun go down, sipping at Champagne and toasting our good fortune to be here at this unforgettable luxury Zimbabwean hotel.

Our room is decorated in the classic Edwardian style of the colonialist era with a romantic four-poster bed dressed in incredibly soft linen and enveloped in mosquito nets.

My partner claims the dark-wood writing desk as I laze on the chaise lounge and turn on the TV, only to promptly turn it off again – there are too many wonders to behold outdoors!

I open the curtains to let in the natural light and walk out to the verandah, which is open to views of the perfectly manicured gardens below. I’m entranced by the way The Smoke that Thunders mists up the dramatic gorges of the Zambezi River. The spray from the falls fills me with a childlike excitement; I can’t wait to see this up close. With the hotel’s private walkway to the falls, we’re just 10 minutes away from one of the most breathtaking Seven Natural Wonders of the World!

We decide to take a quick shower before exploring the grounds. The bathroom is wonderfully modern; there’s a large bath, his-and-hers basins and an enormous showerhead. Later, we sit on our verandah and watch the sun go down, sipping at Champagne and toasting our good fortune to be here at this unforgettable luxury Zimbabwean hotel.

What sets it apart

I love the classic opulence of the Victoria Falls Hotel; it evokes the romance and adventure of the bygone colonial era. It’s an ambiance that feels very natural despite being carefully cultivated: period furnishings are authentic, long corridors and alcoves are decorated with memorabilia, high tea is typically British and verandahs look out to the misty countenance of Victoria Falls. Its stately elegance only serves to make dressing up for dinner particularly enjoyable. An undoubtable highlight was seeing a silvery lunar rainbow shrouded in mist from the falls; we couldn’t believe our luck to be here at exactly the right time, as this only occurs when there’s a clear sky and full moon. From delectable food – including a seven-course dinner paired with an award-winning wine list – to a nightly dance show and over 50 adventurous safari activities, there’s no shortage of sensory indulgences to enjoy at this classic hotel.

I love the classic opulence of the Victoria Falls Hotel; it evokes the romance and adventure of the bygone colonial era.

It’s an ambiance that feels very natural despite being carefully cultivated: period furnishings are authentic, long corridors and alcoves are decorated with memorabilia, high tea is typically British and verandahs look out to the misty countenance of Victoria Falls. Its stately elegance only serves to make dressing up for dinner particularly enjoyable.

An undoubtable highlight was seeing a silvery lunar rainbow shrouded in mist from the falls; we couldn’t believe our luck to be here at exactly the right time, as this only occurs when there’s a clear sky and full moon.

From delectable food – including a seven-course dinner paired with an award-winning wine list – to a nightly dance show and over 50 adventurous safari activities, there’s no shortage of sensory indulgences to enjoy at this classic hotel.

At a glance

Colonial-style hotel with 161 rooms including 11 interleading rooms, two honeymoon suites and one presidential suite. The lodge has two restaurants, a swimming pool, library, private chapel, hair salon, spa and curio shop.
Private walkway to Victoria Falls National Park, flexible schedules and individual dining.
Swimming, dinner shows, spa and beauty treatments (additional cost), nearby casino, golf, game drives (additional cost), birdwatching (additional cost), bush dinners (additional cost), horse riding (additional cost) and a variety of river and gorge activities (additional costs).
Children welcome, and interleading rooms and cots are available.

Colonial-style hotel with 161 rooms including 11 interleading rooms, two honeymoon suites and one presidential suite. The lodge has two restaurants, a swimming pool, library, private chapel, hair salon, spa and curio shop.
Private walkway to Victoria Falls National Park, flexible schedules and individual dining.
Swimming, dinner shows, spa and beauty treatments (additional cost), nearby casino, golf, game drives (additional cost), birdwatching (additional cost), bush dinners (additional cost), horse riding (additional cost) and a variety of river and gorge activities (additional costs).
Children welcome, and interleading rooms and cots are available.

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.