Brett Atkinson checks into the Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe

Location: Amid spacious and leafy tropical gardens on the edge of Victoria Falls township in Zimbabwe. Known as the “grand old lady of the Falls”, one of Africa's most elegant five-star hotels has been a relaxing hub for royals, statesmen and explorers since 1904.

Check-in experience: Packed with grace and charm as we're greeted personally at the hotel's heritage lobby and then led to a private lounge for our checkin and briefing. Extra points for the cooling hand towels and iced tea on arrival and the historic maps lining the walls.

The room: Opening on to a shaded garden courtyard, our deluxe room in the hotel's Stables Wing featured one of Africa's biggest four-poster beds and a tiled art deco bathroom. Sky TV channels aplenty meant I could even catch highlights of the Blues’ three-point Super Rugby win over the Waratahs.

What's in the neighbourhood: No, it's not raining. The light mist drifting across the hotel's lawn is a reminder Africa's biggest water feature is just down the road. Options to explore Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side include guided tours along spidery walking trails near the falls or crossing to Zambia for dinner on the historic Bushtracks Africa steam train. Booking agencies in nearby Vic Falls township offer adventurous options incorporating zip-lining, bungy jumping and river rafting.

Food & drink: The social focus of the hotel is Stanley's Terrace bar where it's virtually mandatory to combine

views of the Victoria Falls Bridge with a gin and tonic. Warthogs occasionally wander past during high tea. Exercise: Spacious lawns frame an expansive swimming pool and we did hear rumours the hotel has a compact fitness room near the main lobby. Our preferred exercise was to walk around 600m for decent craft beers brewed onsite at the River Brewing Company.

Fellow guests: American travellers decked out in matching easy-dry safari gear from North Face and Columbia Sportswear and a group of Aussie overlanders enjoying cocktails at Stanley's Terrace bar.

Noise: Super-quiet in the our room but a combination of enjoyable social buzz and the soothing roar of the Victoria Falls in other parts of the hotel and grounds. Contact: World Journeys arrange tailor-made safaris and small-group escorted tours in Africa; they’re on 0800 117311; or at worldjourneys.co.nz/africa. Perfect for: Travellers enjoying a few relaxing days at Victoria Falls before heading off to safari adventures in nearby Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.