There are many unique features of our beautiful hotel that set us apart from the crowd.
Being family-run, the Ilala Lodge Hotel is infused with personal touches that can only be attributed to the warm personalities and hospitable values of the Brown family.
If you’d like to dive into the specifics, keep reading! Here are five features guaranteed to make Ilala Lodge Hotel a unique holiday stay!
1.) Proximity to Victoria Falls
Geographically-speaking, you’ll find no hotel closer to The Falls. Ilala Lodge Hotel is nestled right in the heart of town and is a mere 8-minute walk from the front gates of The Victoria Falls National Park. (Faster if you’re eager to get there!)
The front of our property borders the park and makes for more than a few curious visitors. Guests are often delighted by warthogs and impala grazing on the sprawling front lawn – elephants too, on occasion!
2.) Award-Winning Restaurant On-Site
You don’t need to venture far to sample some of the best food in Victoria Falls! Our on-site Cassia Restaurant is rated ‘Excellent’ on TripAdvisor and has won multiple awards over the years to back up this claim.
Apart from the delicious cuisine on offer right on your doorstep, guests can also see the spray from the falls on the terrace and hear the rumble of ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ while eating; a unique inclusion to your dining experience.
3.) In-House Tours & Activities Desk
With so much to see and do in the Falls, consulting websites can prove confusing. (Which tour is best? Why are there so many options?) Don’t worry, we understand, which is why we’ve set up an in-house tours and activities desk at the hotel.
Now it’s as simple as chatting to one of our friendly team members (in person, mind you) and having them help you select itinerary items that best suit your needs. Services include booking activities on your behalf, organising transfers, arranging Zambezi River cruises and taking care of onward bookings.
No hassles, no stress.
4.) Golden Trees
Guests can’t help but marvel at the gorgeous Indian Laburnums on our grounds, also known as ‘Golden Trees.’ These were introduced by Beryl Brown, a wonderful gardener and one of the main visionaries behind our garden.
When you see them, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about. With leaves that seem to light up in brilliant shades of yellow and amber, it’s a truly magical sight!
Views of our Golden Trees are best enjoyed from the terrace of the Cassia Restaurant or from the privacy of your balcony overlooking the lawns.
5.) Rare Wood Finishings
Our beautiful poolside bar contains a unique feature you might not notice at first glance.
The finishings are actually made from repurposed Zimbabwean teak railway sleepers. If you know your timber, you’ll know that this incredibly hard wood was highly sought-after as a building material in times gone by. It’s difficult to work with, due to its density, but this trait also makes it desirable for its durability.
You’ll find more teak furnishings scattered throughout the hotel – also made from railway sleepers.
Speaking of building materials, our hotel’s original structure was built using hand-selected gum poles and thatching grass from Brown family’s farm 700 km away in Darwendale! Strath Brown and his son, Keith, thatched the hotel’s roof themselves.
Bonus!
Read all about our hotel’s beautiful namesake, the Ilala Palm, here.
Look out for these beautiful trees on our grounds!
Stay With Us
For a unique holiday stay filled with personal touches, convenient amenities, luxurious lodgings and all the wonder that comes with being so close to the mighty Victoria Falls, book your stay at Ilala Lodge Hotel.
We can’t wait to share all that Zimbabwe has to offer with you – from world-class cuisine to friendly hospitality and unsurpassable natural beauty.
Browse our accommodation options here and get in touch with us via onlinereservations@ilalalodge.com to secure your dates.
Alternatively, feel free to make use of our online booking platform.
We look forward to welcoming you to Victoria Falls!
