The Victoria Falls Hotel

This is a classy, quiet and composed place, with professional, friendly staff. If you're used to hooliganism, this probably isn't for you. We did arrive looking sweaty and casual, and they overlooked that, though we definitely felt underdressed.

The building is beautifully maintained, and the service feels five star. It was first built in 1905 to house the people working on the Victoria Falls Bridge, and there are so many historical details on the corridor walls that I kept getting distracted reading them. It feels like stepping back in time, and the Zimbabwean welcome is hard to beat. A must-stay in Vic Falls.

The staff gathered near the entrance and talked very loudly among themselves, which isn't what I'd expect from a five-star establishment. To me, the deeper issue is management. Staff only do what they're allowed to do, and the hotel interior, especially the rooms, needs an upgrade. Hygiene also needs urgent attention, including the flies around and on the food, particularly at breakfast. This seems easy to address, but management doesn't appear to care. We stayed on 14/1/2026, and had also been here many years ago, when it was a proper five star. Sadly, those days seem long gone. The hotel, rooms and bathrooms are dated and need urgent attention.

Last October I paid the hotel for an anniversary gift for a couple, using its menu, but they never received it. I arranged and paid through the conferencing manager, Tracy, and when the gift wasn't delivered, she helped arrange a refund. I never received the money. When I asked about it, she said the bank hadn't released it. I've tried following up many times since, without success. Be very careful about paying this hotel directly.