Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara

Family perspective (stayed here before and also stayed this trip at Radisson Blue Mosi-OT): - is it lovely and colonial? Yes (rooms, venues, upkeep all super premium) - is there a better vantage point for the falls? No (Avani isn’t the same premium feel) - is there literally animals all over the premises? Yes! Impala, Zebra, squirrels, monkeys, baboons and Giraffes everywhere.. it’s exceptional - food and drinks were high quality. - staff were professional and courteous (we found the food and drinks generally slow here however) - family rooms were two standard/premium balcony rooms next door to each other (one king, the other 2 singles) with a door you can lock and close outside of them like a pod of 2 Downsides: - the rooms are traditional but they are indeed tired (1-2 Powerpoints in a whole room, tapware from 50yrs ago, inappropriately large bathroom for living space, lacks storage). Would suggest the new - breakfast is rather funny. Poorly organised at the main restaurant. Daily got coffee orders wrong. Have to order eggs but took on one occasion 30min to get that. Have to request butter. Just really doesn’t flow well. - the Kubu deck area is underutilised. - on many days we stayed there were very noisy locals around the common areas, especially to pool. They’re paying guests too, but would have been better for staff to notice the other guests needs (without seeming entitled and requesting they keep it down). This may have been a one off, but happened all three days of our stay. Overall lovely again and would stay again. Supportive of a refresh if it happened

Amazing location and ambience

Just doesn’t get any better than this. From the welcome on arrival to the staff on reception at check out and everything in between it was magical. When we saw the photos of the animals in the gardens we didn’t expect to see so many, lying on a Sun lounger with a giraffe walking past will stay with us forever. Food was fantastic. Definitely worth a revisit.

We booked High Tea at this incredible hotel and venue. We were not disappointed. The service was outstanding and the tea and treats were amazing. We had zebras and giraffes show up too!

Absolutely incredible experience! Being a solo female traveler looking for a quiet few days, I could not have asked for a better location. Woke up every morning looking at the Zambezi River and then every evening seeing the sunset. The Royal Livingstone is within a 10 minute leisurely stroll (with zebras and giraffes along the way) to the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. With unlimited access to the falls for hotel guests, went to visit and hike the trails every day (there are baboons near the falls). The activities available through the hotel are plenty, however, they do get booked quickly and do have a premium; would suggest booking ahead of time. I had wanted to go to the Zimbabwe side of the falls, but it was not possible to arrange the tour due to minimum number of tour attendees. In the end, I was able to see/do all activities (all within about 30 minutes from hotel) that i wanted to do during my stay, and the arrangements are convenient with all pickups from the hotel lobby. The rooms are extremely clean, and housekeeping comes to put up mosquito nets for you in the afternoon while you are out. The rooms are a bit on the smaller size, yet there was enough space for me to do morning yoga in the room facing the Zambezi. The staff are warm, welcoming and absolutely amazing, all going out of their way to make sure that you are happy with your stay. A huge thank you to Ankur Panchal who had started his position at the Royal Livingstone just about 10 days ago, yet still made every effort to make sure that i was comfortable and well taken care of every time he would see me in the lobby, restaurant or on the grounds. The hospitality here, truly made this trip so very memorable. I am vegan and gluten free; the menu had limited options, however, the chef would personally come to discuss my meal, and whip up a dish that was fantastic. i had gotten quite ill on the day i arrived, and the chef made me a special soup; they didn't charge me for the soup saying that it was a way to wish me to get well soon (so incredibly nice!). there were times when maybe the staff could have communicated amongst themselves regarding my travel plans, check out schedule, or at the dining areas, but these are all small things compared to the location and the lovely staff. i would highly recommend for a solo female traveler who is looking for a relaxing few days in Livingstone by the Zambezi. i could have enjoyed looking at the river all day with the giraffe and zebras walking on the grounds. Very peaceful and magical place!

The hotel enjoys a great position on the banks of the river only about 1/4 mile from Victoria Falls. Animals roam through the resort and hippos and elephants are seen very close by (on the other side of security fences). Public parts are great. There is a good pool brilliantly serviced and rooms are spacious and spotlessly clean. Our 3 day visit coincided with at least 3 large weddings which rather took over the place and after one very slow and pretty average dinner (our waiter said the kitchen was overwhelmed) in the main dining room, we chose to eat out at very inexpensive but good restaurants in Livingstone. We will almost certainly not revisit Livingstone-but if we do, would certainly not choose to revisit this hotel.

Beautifully positioned with a wonderful outlook. Services levels are impeccable.

There are aspects that are severely overpriced which leaves a sour taste.

I had time to spare before my flight back home and I decided to have lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon here before my flight,it was the perfect way to end my 4 day holiday, what an unforgettable experience . The setting by the River with the falls at a distance & the giraffes and roaming around is breathtaking, the atmosphere is so calming and peaceful. The food was amazing , but what stood out most was the staff including the Managers ,they are so warm, welcoming, and attentive, they made me feel like a valued guest even without an overnight stay. Their hospitality turned my last day into a perfect ending to my trip. I’ll definitely return for a longer stay next time.

The staff in particular our butler Kabuku was incredibly sweet, she made our stay enjoyable. The rest of the staff were accommodating and polite, the breakfast was exceptional with plenty of options. For me the biggest highlight were the animals roaming the grounds it created a great experience, would highly recommend this hotel

This is hands down the most luxurious hotel I’ve ever stayed at—even more luxurious than my trip to the Maldives. From the moment I arrived, I knew this was going to be a special experience. I was welcomed with a traditional song and dance, a refreshing drink, and the warmest hospitality. The customer service here is truly top tier—every detail is catered to you, from turndown service in your room to personalized touches throughout your stay. One of the most unique parts of this property is the wildlife. As a city girl, it still amazes me to see elephants along the road and zebras or giraffes roaming the property—it feels like something out of a dream. My favorite activity was the horse stable—please don’t sleep on this experience! I highly recommend booking a 2-hour horse ride. It’s one of the best ways to see wildlife up close (outside of a game drive), and I strongly suggest requesting Gilbert and Fex. They were amazing—so accommodating, and even let me feed the horses when they noticed my love for them. What I especially loved was the cultural immersion. While not advertised online, if you request authentic Zambian dishes or cultural experiences, the staff will gladly make it happen. I had the chance to try local dishes, learn about day-to-day life, explore the nightlife, and even attend a local church service—an unforgettable experience that truly grounded my trip. A huge part of what made my stay so memorable was the incredible staff: Donald – Amazing driver who can pick you up from the airport and drop you off. Gift – Works at check-in and ensures your arrival and stay go smoothly. Anniie – Housekeeping. She kept my room perfect, even helped untangle my hair, and sang happy birthday to me—above and beyond! Glady, Precious & Chola – Dining staff who were so warm and helpful, giving me great tips and recommending delicious Zambian dishes. Roy – Assisted with bookings and dining arrangements. And most importantly, Ankur Panchal (Manager) – He ensured my birthday was everything I imagined. He personally connected me with the right people on the property to make sure all my questions and requests were handled with care. I can’t thank him enough for going above and beyond. I highly recommend reaching out to him prior to your stay. This hotel is truly world-class. If you’re looking for luxury, culture, and unforgettable memories right by Victoria Falls, this is the place to be. I left feeling spoiled, cared for, and incredibly grateful.