Hey there, I’m Jess ✨. On The Signature, I share reflections on beauty, routines, travel, wellness, culture, and everyday life. For those drawn to a calmer, more intentional way of living, I send a free newsletter each month on the 7th. You're welcome to join.
After the most amazing week roadtripping in Namibia, we were not ready to head back home. We decided to continue our journey into new sights in southern Africa. After we left our farm stay accommodation, we headed to our car rental spot to hand back our 4WD. From there, they took us to the Windhoek airport in a shuttle, just like they did when we landed a week prior.
Jess
Once at the airport, we changed our Namibian dollars for US dollars, checked in our luggage and headed to... Victoria Falls, in northern Zimbabwe! This leg of the journey was operated by none other than Discover Airlines, a company that is part of the Lufthansa group. From then on, we would be travelling across Africa with a German company, how odd is that?
Discover Airlines cabin and meal - Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe
The flight is a quick 90-minute one, with a light meal and incredible sights from the sky as it flies relatively low. You can watch the desert landscape of Namibia turn into the lushness of the heart of Zimbabwe. And if you pay attention and the weather is clear, as you approach the airport at Victoria Falls, you can observe the Zambezi river and the fog and mist around the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall. My heart was jumping at the idea of seeing one of the greatest natural wonders in Africa soon.
Landing in Zimbabwe
It was the first time being in Zimbabwe for both my husband and I. After the formalities at the airport, we waited for our luggage and for our hotel driver. After a bit of a snafu on who would pick us and when, we found our car and headed north, to our hotel, where we would spend a total of five nights.
As soon as you leave the airport car park, the driver announces that the long road ahead separates two great national parks: the Zambezi National Park on our left and the Victoria Falls National Park on our right. He told us to keep our eyes peeled as we could see animals very quickly. And indeed, we saw many... cows and goats, roaming around the road?
Our accommodation in Victoria Falls
We chose the Palm River Hotel, which overlooks the Zambezi river and the border with Zambia through small inhabited islands. The building is spread and not very high, with a colonial style. Made of steel and wood, with wide arcades and fans instead of air conditioning, the hotel felt like travelling into a past that had only ever been glamorous for one side of history.
View of the main building from our room - Alfresco terrasse at the Palm River Hotel restaurant
Built in 2021, the hotel is located in a former caravan park and the family who built it is widely respected in the area. Our room was very spacious, with an amazingly stocked bar - everything was complimentary - and a river view balcony, overseeing the outdoor area, with a wide pool and sunloungers.
Unfortunately it was never dark in the room as there is an unshaded side window
One negative about the room was that it had a side window with no blackouts, so there would be light entering the room at night. I love a completely blacked out room. This made me rethink about travelling and wearing an eye mask oftener.
What can you do at and around the hotel?
This is not a waterfall facing hotel - for that, you have to be on the Zambian side - yet it's quite central for what we wanted to do:
- visit the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfalls from the Zimbabwe side
- cross the Zambian border
- do a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana
Thus this became the hub to do several activities in 3 different countries whilst sleeping every night at the same spot.
After we freshened up when we first arrived, we had a casual afternoon tea in the hotel terrasse. The day was far from over as we had booked a sunset river cruise right that afternoon, to discover the wonders of the Zambezi river: The hotel's location is ideal to get to the river quickly.
Furthermore, the hotel has a fairly well-equipped gym, very open to its surroundings in an independent building. Also, the hotel has a spa which my husband tried for a massage. He never says no to one when on vacation. I usually skip those unless it's a couple's massage.
The gym at Palm River Hotel
Last but certainly not least: I learned with my safari experience through Tanzania that you don't need to overpack when you get to lodges, you just need to confirm they have same-day laundry, and Palm River Hotel offers that. I used the laundry every day and they were very quick with deliveries. The only downside is that they would deliver your clothes in a bag, so if you only asked for a steamed linen piece of clothing... it would come back wrinkled....
Jess
What about the meals?
We had most of our meals at the hotel and they were absolutely spectacular.
Breakfast was a broad selection of baked goods, dairy and non-dairy treats (I fell in love with their chia pudding!) and cold cuts. A breakfast menu was provided for the warm options and in 5 mornings, we went through them all. Everything on offer was superb and this meal is one of the highlights of the hotel.
Breakfast buffet and menu at Palm River Hotel
We rarely stop for lunch when we are in "all inclusive mode" as we focus on breakfast and dinner, but lunch was also available at the restaurant or around the pool. It was the opportunity to order a juicy burger when hunger hit in the afternoon.
As aforementioned, afternoon tea was provided in the hotel terrasse, with a selection of hot and iced beverages, sandwiches and sweet treats.
Complimentary afternoon tea at Palm River Hotel
Before dinner, we would always stop at the alfresco bar for some sundowner cocktails.
Sundowner cocktails at aperitivo time at Palm River Hotel
Dinners were the meal of the day for us and the hotel provided the most gorgeous experience, with candlelights, warm bread and cocktails flowing around us. The food was really spectacular in this hotel and although it was continental, everything had a very unique local ingredient, making it a more worldly experience.
On our first night, we were knackered and just ordered some room service. It turned out to be the best pesto pasta of my life - and I only ordered it because we were at the hotel, I never order pasta when I am out.
More importantly, as not only the food is a major part of the experience, the staff at the restaurant, bar and pool service were absolutely spectacular. We had the best casual conversation with students from all around Zimbabwe, speaking with pride about their country and dreams.
Amazing dinners at Palm River Hotel
Alas, not a seamless 5-star experience...
Producing unsponsored content allows me to provide my honest opinion about everything I experience and share here. The Palm River hotel is very positively rated and recommended, yet it still has some work to do in regards to the service it provides and its communications with clients.
When in a 5-star hotel, I expect a proper turndown service. It cannot just be about opening the bed. It involves slippers, chocolates, a bathroom ready for the evening routine... this hotel is best with turndown service and if I am paying for a 5-star experience, it is the minimum.
Furthermore, on our before last afternoon, a scaffolding was installed in my building with the workers doing some maintenance work just outside my balcony and having the time of their lives with a loud chatter and laughter. I am glad to see people are happy at work, but I had to draw my curtains and sequester myself in my room during my stay as I had men just outside my window. Unnannounced.
A nightmare being installed in front of our building and balcony
For me, a proper 5-star experience would be to inform us that some work would be done prior and give us proper options proactively. Furthermore, the scaffolding did not come down at the end of the day and it was only after several calls to reception that they informed there was a leak in a room above us and construction would continue. It meant we would have to keep our curtains drawn for privacy when we paid for that balcony view
On a more positive note...
If you stay at the Palm River Hotel be prepared as animals roam free, the hotel is just in their path and we are not to disrupt them. If you are an early bird and head to the gym first thing in the morning, you will casually encounter some warthogs along the way. They also love to go about the pool area. Pumbas are not dangerous but don't pet them. But you are lucky enough to stumble upon elephants... beware!
Warthogs and elephants roaming free by the gym and the pool area at the Palm River Hotel
Would we come back to Palm River Hotel?
I am positive we would come back to the area and I would not be against staying at the Palm River Hotel again in the future, although I hope they improve in their communication with clients and providing a real 5-star service. I cannot deny I would also be very curious about experiencing the waterfall from the Zambian side of the river...
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