Business Traveller (Middle East)
Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara
BACKGROUND Previously a Sun International-owned and operated property, the Royal Livingstone became part of Thailand-based Minor Hotel Group’s management in 2015 when it bought the majority of Sun International’s African assets, including a stake in this hotel. In 2016, MHG acquired full ownership of the property and rebranded it Anantara.
WHERE IS IT? On the banks of the Zambezi River, with the hotel lawns extending onto a deck overlooking the water. It’s a five-minute walk to get your first sight of the falls; the closest airport is in Livingstone, roughly a 20-minute drive away; or you can fly into Vic Falls.
ROOMS There are 173 rooms spanning Deluxe and Deluxe Corner rooms, Livingstone suites and the Presidential Suite. We stayed in a 30 sqm Deluxe room, which was small but comfortable and situated just 50 metres from the Zambezi, with our balcony overlooking the lawns and the river. It offered all the mod-cons you’d expect from a five-star hotel room including a king-size bed with fluff y pillows; large TV with DStv satellite channels; complimentary tea- and coffee-making facilities; mini-bar; good Wi-Fi; an ironing board, safe and hair dryer; desk with stationery; and a bathroom with separate bath and shower. There’s a butler on call, should you require one.
FOOD & DRINK The Old Drift
Restaurant is the hotel’s main dining venue, but Kubu, the deck overlooking the Zambezi, serves lunch and dinner too. That’s where we savoured sundowners on our first night before heading for a boma dinner, which was due to take place between the hotel and its sister property, the adjacent AVANI Victoria Falls Resort. Unfortunately, a storm forced us indoors, but we still enjoyed a delicious buffet by the large pool at
AVANI; think multiple meat options, crunchy veggies and malva pudding. The next day we ate breakfast and dinner at The Old Drift.
In the evening I opted for Carpaccio of Zambian Beef with Grilled Artichoke and Mexican Salsa, followed by a main of Seared Duck Breast, leaving no space for dessert. The hotel’s lounge and Travellers Bar also serve food and drink and a daily afternoon tea is served between 3pm and 5pm.
MEETINGS There are 12 flexible meeting venues ranging from the 12-seater Royal Livingstone Boardroom to the Banquet Hall, accommodating 450 delegates in theatrestyle. For something more spectacular, the Royal Livingstone Express, a restored steam locomotive, offers fine-dining journeys across Victoria Falls.
There’s a good chance you’ll see a giraffe or zebra grazing just metres from your room
LEISURE There’s a good chance you’ll see a giraffe or zebra grazing just metres from your room, but you can also book game drives, helicopter trips, white-water rafting, bungee jumping and canoe safaris. I recommend the sunset cruise and the Livingstone Island experience, which culminates with a swim in Devil’s Pool on the edge of the falls. There’s also a hotel spa and outdoor swimming pool, just footsteps from the river.
VERDICT Luxurious, colonial, indulgent and memorable.