Stanley & Livingstone
Focus: Renovation and Additions
Stanley & Livingstone is a historic family-owned hotel in Victoria Falls that underwent a major reinvestment to reposition it as the area’s first true luxury boutique property. As Group General Manager, I oversaw the process - from the renovation of sixteen guest suites and main facilities to the extension of public spaces and the creation of a new, state-of-the-art kitchen.
The brief was to honour the property’s heritage while modernising the experience. We focused on maintaining its distinctive charm and character, while elevating comfort, design, and service to meet the expectations of a contemporary luxury traveller.
Project Highlights:
- Renovated 16 guest suites and fully upgraded main hotel facilities.
- Extended public areas and introduced a new kitchen and F&B operation.
- Preserved historic details while modernising finishes and functionality.
- Delivered Victoria Falls’ first true luxury boutique hotel experience.
- Officially reopened in November 2018, inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism for Zimbabwe.
Challenges:
Working on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls brought significant logistical hurdles, as almost all materials and finishes needed to be imported from South Africa. Coordinating procurement and maintaining quality control across borders required careful planning and collaboration - but the end result was a property reborn, blending heritage, hospitality, and modern luxury in perfect balance.
