The Kingdom Hotel: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
A sanctuary located on the periphery of the Mighty Victoria Fall, the expansive Kingdom Hotel is an architectural masterpiece and a haven for those looking for peace, comfort and tranquility. The property is dotted with mature palm, fruit and eucalyptus trees, which shade the turqoise-blue artificial lake around which the hotel complex is built. Beyond the palatial Suites, open-air restaurants and manicured gardens, guests will discover mystical jungles of the Victoria Falls National Park, where elephants and other wild animals still roam free.
The Kingdom Hotel features in our top 10 lists of Zimbabwe’s best luxury hotels.
Have you ever stayed at The Kingdom Hotel? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.
Holiday Guide Review inlcudes:
- The Good Parts
- The Not-So-Good Parts
- Our Opinion
- Dining
- Facilities
- Advantages
- How to get there
- Ratings
- Photos
THE GOOD PARTS
Our stay at the Kingdom Hotel during our recent visit to Zimbabwe was indeed a memorable experience. This unique hotel is located adjacent to the Victoria Falls National Park and surrounded by the wild jungle on one side and the bustling city on the other. The property is set in a tranquil oasis of lush greenery that is not only in stark contrast to the arid plains and craggy hills which surround it, but also to the hustle and bustle of Zimbabwe’s main cities. The Kingdom Hotel is a nine-hour drive from Harare or you can take the a one-hour flight from Harare airport to reach here. As you approach the resort, it feels like you are travelling back in time as you pass through the sleepy bylanes of this quaint part of the city, devoid of any traffic jams or crowded traffic intersections.
Built in 1999, the unique architecture of Kingdom Hotel is inspired by the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. A great deal of attention has been paid to the smaller details such as the cast iron ‘seed-pod’ bar and the hand-sculpted statues on the front lawns – all adding to that ‘magical kingdom’ ambience. The main lobby area is decorated with authentic African artworks and paintings made by local artists. The brightly themed African décor creates a typical African ambience that is both mystical and charming at the same time.
The hotel has been carved out of local sandstone and marble – with grand domes, scalloped arches, gushing waterfalls and royal gardens taking you back in time to Zimbabwe’s golden age. Towering palm and eucalyptus trees are spread all across the resort complex, adding to the sense that this property has been here for many years although it is not such an old property (Kingdom Hotel opened in 1999).
The hotel features the layout of a walled palace, shaded by a plethora of trees and bushes. Entrance is via an expansive and impressive porch area that looks more like a palace rampart. From here you walk down a corridor to the elegant lobby pavilion, where guests are gracefully welcomed by the resort staff with a refreshing drink, cold towel, and helpful service attendants.
One of most impressive features at the Kingdom Hotel are the waterfalls that greet you as soon as you enter the hotel. Located along the corridor leading to the hotel’s main reception area, the unique waterfalls are an audio visual treat for visitors and are supposed to be miniature replicas of the famous Victoria Falls.
As you walk down the staircase from the lobby pavilion to the main restaurant you will be mesmerised by the open spaces and the authentic African décor. On one side of the main restaurant is a chic open-air bar, and on the other side, is the inviting pool area
The hotel has a total of 294 rooms which are situated in separate two and three storey units, built around the large man-made lake that lies at the heart of the resort. The rooms are large and spacious – decorated to match the overall authentic African theme that is carried through the entire landscape. All the rooms have balconies and some of them overlook the lake, while the others overlook the property’s lush-green gardens.
The room I stayed in was in the new wing that lies across the lake from the main resort complex – its called the Kings Club. This newly refurbished wing has long corridors that are flanked by rooms on either side and the entire wing is sandwiched between the lake on the front side and a lush green garden in the rear. More often than not, you will wake up to the sounds of chirping birds that visit the lake and the gardens on their daily morning routine outings.
DINING OPTIONS
The Kingdom Hotel serves delicious food, with a choice of signature African dishes and Western cuisine, all of which can be tailored to suit individual tastes. Freshly picked ingredients from the the local farms are used to prepare the dishes. There’s one main restaurant, open for buffet and à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner situated just below the lobby deck. This dining area features a grand setting, with soaring ceilings and colonnades, overlooking the tree-shaded pool and the well-manicured lawns. Opposite the restaurant is a bar, a convivial and relaxing space where light snacks and drinks are served throughout the day.
The Kingdom Hotel is a self-contained world of elegant luxury, representing everything that its mother brand, the African Sun tries to achieve: tranquility, exclusivity, and a sense of well being. The African Sun is Southern Africa’s most exclusive hotel brand and the company manages a fabulous collection of intimate properties across the region. The brand is known for the understated elegance of its resorts, exquisite attention to detail, minimalist design, heartfelt service, and otherworldly locations.
Among African Sun fans is a group of passionate repeat customers who call themselves ‘African Sun addicts’ (me too) and whose travel plans in the Southern Africa region are determined by locations of African Sun properties. It’s also a fallacy that African Sun addicts are always extremely rich people: I, for instance, would prefer to spend my money on three nights at an African Sun resort instead of two weeks at any run-of-the-mill mediocre hotel – as you pay, not just for accommodation at an African Sun property, but for a unique and life-long memory that you will cherish for the rest of your days. To be blunt, some of the African Sun resorts make Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton resorts look like mediocre Best Western motels.
The staff at Kingdom Hotel provides impeccable service. From the concierge to the receptionists who welcome you upon arrival to the room service staff and waiters – everyone at the resort seems to be genuinely hospitable and care about making your Zimbabwean holiday a unique and enjoyable experience. While at the resort, it feels like you are a king – nothing is too much to ask for. To give you a few examples: rooms are refreshed several times per day – but you’ll rarely see someone from housekeeping, you’ll never be asked for your room number or name (African Sun knows its guests personally), and duty managers are always present at the resort and mostly there to welcome you and say goodbye.
While a stay at Kingdom Hotel cannot be classified as ‘budget’, but it won’t cost you a fortune too. If ‘value for money’ is your mantra, then the Kingdom Hotel provides you with an authentic African experience and may be just the right place for you.
A stay at Kingdom Hotel can be easily combined with a stay at its sister property, Hwange Safari Lodge (which I reviewed here). Both properties offer a totally different and complimentary experience on a Zimbabwe itinerary. While Kingdom Hotel offers a refined and luxurious resort experience in a lush manicured oasis in urban settings, Hwange Safari Lodge, on the other hand, is more of an upmarket lodge located in typical African rural settings from where you can explore the wilderness and the wildlife in the nearby Hwange National Park.
THE NOT-SO GOOD PARTS
• The Kingdom Hotel is one of the large hotels, and it can get busy especially during the tourist season and long holidays.
• For travellers from the Middle East like myself, the absence of water jet in the toilets is an inconvenience. So remember to carry you bidet spray attachment.
OUR OPINION
Kingdom Hotel is conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the famous Victoria Falls. The hotel is a perfect place stay while out on a family holiday or travelling in large groups. With an uncanny resemblance to the Sun City in South Africa, the Kingdom Hotel offers an authentic African experience in typical African settings. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there and would certainly recommend it to others.
SUMMARY
- One of our recommended hotels, it is good value for money
- Rooms built around a large man-made lake
- Design and architecture inspired by the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe
- The hotel has elevators and ramps for the physically challenged guests
- One of the closest hotels to the Victoria Falls entrance – a five-minute walk
ACCOMMODATION AT KINGDOM HOTEL
- 112 rooms have king-sized beds
- 294 rooms in total
- 102 have queen beds
- 34 rooms have a king bed and a bunk bed
- 40 of the rooms have twin beds and a bunk bed
- Paraplegic rooms are available
All Rooms have:
- Air conditioning
- Telephone
- Heaters
- Digital Satellite TV
- En-suite bathroom
- Hair dryer
- Digital safe
- Tea/coffee making facilities
- Safety deposit box
- Shaver socket
ADVANTAGES
- Accommodation suitable for groups and individuals
- The closest hotel to the rainforest entrance
- Close to town centre and most activities, although operators do pick up from the hotel
- Various facilities on site
- Great rates
- Casino at Kingdom Hotel Victoria Falls
- Kingdom Hotel Casino
DINING OPTIONS AT THE KINGDOM HOTEL
The Great Enclosure – This entertainment complex is popular with both tourist and locals. It hosts two bars, a food court and of course the Makasa Casino.
White Water – Is the main hotel restaurant which seats 240 people. This restaurant and its terrace overlook the Pool Island and the panorama of surrounding rooms. It is open for a buffet breakfast and dinner.
Big Chief Steak & Grill – is situated in The Great Enclosure and is a relaxed and informal family steakhouse serving a selection of grilled steaks and seafood, pizza and burgers. Children are made welcome with lots of fun activities to keep them occupied.
Quartermains – is a sophisticated Edwardian themed bar
Wild Thing – is an action bar with live entertainment and a big TV screen – very popular with the young at heart and the locals.
FACILITIES
- Secure Parking
- Casino
- Entertainment complex with restaurants, bars and casino
- Reception and Guest Relations services
- Swimming pools
- Child mind services on request
- 24-hour room service
- Laundry service
- Curio shop
- Conference facilities
- Children
• Children are welcome at the Kingdom Hotel
• Children 2 years and under stay for free if in the same room as their parents
• Children under 12 years stay for free in a Family room (max 2 children)
HOW TO GET TO KINGDOM HOTEL VICTORIA FALLS
- Self-drive to Victoria Falls and turn right after the Total Garage. The hotel will be on your left.
- Fly in to Victoria Falls Airport (21 kms) or Livingstone Airport (19 kms + 1 border crossing), then transfer to Kingdom Hotel.
Photos
