Stanley Livingstone Victoria Falls  Zimbabwe

Personal Impression
I was not expecting this level of accommodation in Zimbabwe.  The rooms are cottages, the picture above is the front door to your "cottage". The restaurant is outstanding, the bar well stocked with a full wine cellar where you can browse and pick your wine for the evening. This bar area looks out over a waterhole and at sunset a herd of elephants paid us a visit as we sipped our wine. The grounds are beautifully manicured green lawns with a large swimming pool.  Everything here says “quality” if you chose to stay here you will not be disappointed.  This is a first rate small boutique all suites property offering everything a traveler could want. It is part of the Rani Africa chain.

Location of the hotel
The hotel is about a 10 minute drive from Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. The hotel has two Chevrolet suburbans and offers transfers to the town and a guided tour of Victoria Falls. The hotel is located in a game reserve and sits right in front of a watering hole. You will could see animals from your room and particularly from the bar area. 

Accommodations
16 suites, 10 double and 6 twin. These “rooms” are really air conditioned cottages, with a full sitting room with TV, DVD player, and a balcony and a nice sized bedroom and a very lavish bathroom.  Complete with a front door with a “welcome” mat and a wrought iron balcony overlooking the game reserve you feel like you could stay forever. The décor is comfortable Victorian English. There is a desk with a electrical strip with built in adaptors to accommodate both American and British appliances. A TV is in the credenza.  The bedroom is decorated very tastefully in light colors and has a second TV for viewing in the bedroom. The bathroom has a really plush feel and has a large bath in the middle of the room and a large shower, two sinks and a variety of quality toiletries. It all feels very plush.

These are pictures from our actual "cottage" during our stay. Extremely comfortable

Choice of accommodation. You can stay room only, room and breakfast, room with breakfast and dinner, or full room and board with breakfast, lunch, dinner, game drives, bush walks and fully inclusive. For most itineraries I recommend Room with breakfast and dinner.

Internet access
The hotel has no internet access for guests but they are welcome to use the hotels computer if needed. They are in the process of getting guest internet connections.

Dining and wines.
We were given our menu for the night in the bar. It was a piece of parchment paper with a band made of fresh flowers. Looked more like a special invitation to a elaborate event. The menu instantly made me smile and turned out to be one of the best meals of my life.

Starters: Crocodile Thermidore (my husband had this is was outstanding, tasted like lobster thermidore) or Buttered Fried mushrooms, Soup: Butternut soup,  Main courses: Beef Fillet served with mushroom sauce, or Pan fried Chicken with Green Peppercorn sauce, or Grilled Ostrich Steak with gooseberry sauce, or Kingklip Filet (fish) with lemon sauce. Dessert: Brandy snap basket filled with mango mousse or honey caramelized banana and vanilla bean ice cream. Something for everyone. The wines that accompanied this meal were outstanding. The dining room decor is Victorian with crisp white linens and incredible service.  I wish I could have eaten here again but alas I only had one night.

Things to size="2">Things to do.  The area of Victoria Falls offers numerous adventures. These can all be booked from Stanley and Livingstone.
Elephant Back Safaris The Elephant Company operates on the Nakavango Estate and offers you the opportunity to experience these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Guests can even enjoy game viewing by elephant.
elephant.
elephant.
Helicopter Trips See the Falls from the air whilst enjoying our popular “Flight of Angels”. A 15-minute flight by helicopter gives you a unique and unrivalled perspective of the Falls.
White Water Rafting The Zambezi River is regarding by some as the best white water rafting river in the world. Choose from one-day and overnight trips. The new and exhilarating sport of river boarding is now also available.
Jet boating The latest in adrenalin-pumping adventure to reach the Zambezi. Speed up the River, through narrow gorges and over rapids to come face-to-face with the awe-inspiring Falls, from a completely unique angle.
Bungi Jumping Leap off the Victoria Falls Bridge and plunge 111 meters into the gorge below. The famous bridge spans the countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia, and has a backdrop of the awesome Falls.
Ra Ikane Sundowner Cruises Ra Ikane offers sundowner cruises down the Zambezi River on their small luxurious cruise boat. Sip cocktails and watch the sun set, whilst drifting past hippos and crocodiles lazing in the shallows

Summary
This is a boutique small hotel, with outstanding gracious service, incredible food, large all suite luxury accommodations. A rare find.

Web site www.stanley-livingstone-hotel.com