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Germany , Cologne / Bonn
BAD NEUENAHR , Niederhutstr., 11
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50 reviews shown

6/10

Pleasant

07 Mar 2026

Graham

Stayed for a couple of nights to visit the Great Zimbabwe Monument. The proximity to this world heritage site was the draw. Received an excellent guided tour from Ernest, who also serves as the bar man in the evening. He makes good cocktails too !

As for the hotel, the architecture and layout is amazing but the condition of our rooms and common restaurant/bar area, whilst comfortable, are definitely past their best and looking a little tired. The staff are very friendly and go out of their way to make you feel at home. We ate breakfast and dinner at the restaurant, both of which were good.

Family

4/10

Poor

16 Jan 2026

Tiziana

The pool was green and we could not use despite being told it was cleaned and chemicals used. Rooms were dark and unclean. Bed linen was worn and stained. Showers mouldy. Overall sadly the place felt unloved and not maintained. No attention to detail. Areas like the bar and outdoor area by the pool were not set up nicely- had storage items scattered about, Not like how I remembered it 25 years ago.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

14 Jan 2026

Hugh

The ambience and unique architecture of the Lodge provide guests with a sense of true immersion in the Great Zimbabwe experience. Not to be missed!

Business_and_leisure

10/10

Exceptional

12 Nov 2024

ANDREW

Beautiful hotel in lovely setting.

Extremely spacious and comfortable room in a lovely setting. Very friendly, helpful staff. Not many guests but slightly off-season. Would warmly recommend this place as a comfortable option at Great Zimbabwe full of character. Slightly over-priced food, but worth it for the quality of setting, staff and facilities.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 Sep 2024

Jerome

Amazing staff.
The lodge design and accommodations are incredible

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Aug 2024

Stephen

Amazing architecture! Impressive-looking!

This lodge is amazing. If you were to build a castle in Africa, it would be like this. This establishment is on the scale of European castles but in an African style - made to mimic the nearby Great Zimbabwe ruins. The architecture is impressive with its high ceilings and everything on a grand scale, with many stone walls built among the boulders that are characteristic for this part of the country. Even the individual rooms are palatial in size.

We chose to eat dinner at the lodge's restaurant on the night we stayed there. It was a bit pricey but in line with what you would pay at a higher-end lodge like this. However, the atmosphere of the restaurant was a bit awkward. It was in a huge room, and our family wasn't sure if we should engage in conversation because the atmosphere felt like we had to be hushed. The service was excellent, but the wait staff hovered in the corner and watched us while we ate - kind of creepy and part of why we didn't want to talk much (we felt like they were listening to everything we said). The general manager greeting us a couple times and wanting to engage in conversation was a bit too much and added to the creepiness factor of the staff here.

This place has great amenities and spaces - a swimming pool, indoor and outdoor bar areas for watching the sunset, seating areas inside and outside in the rooms. The only thing lacking seemed to be the choice of stations on the TV.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

12 May 2024

Alan

The architecture of the buildings was sensational as were the surrounding gardens and overall integration of the lodge into the natural geological rock features. The lodge has a ‘wow factor’ was a standout place to stay.

The menu and food could be improved to match the their aspects of the lodge.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2024

Sandra

Very spacious rooms, nicely decorated. Super pleasant staff and delicious food. Memory and Chimms were very nice to us

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Jan 2024

Nyasha

Nice resort fare a family weekend getaway. Beautiful architecture and excellent customer service. Menu and pricing can be updated a bit to get the hotel to a five star rating. ie. no wine menu, instant coffee to barista made coffee. Very minor cosmetic changes to make the last mile.

6/10

Pleasant

19 Nov 2023

Verified traveler

There was a strong chemical smell in the room. I think from what they used to treat the beams. The food was ok. Staff service was excellent.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2023

Philippa

One night visit to Great Zimbabwe

This place has a unique setting and design for every room. Every detail considered. Bar and restaurant area are dramatic and superb. It is half an hours drive from Mavingo but hotel were happy ton organise car and driver to help us throughout our stay.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2023

Lilian

Parking was too far from the lodge rooms

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 May 2023

Hans-Michael

Marvellous view, very nice surrounding

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Dec 2022

Johannes

Great location, great architecture, spacious rooms, good food, some of the amenities look a bit tired, but overall to be recommended.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

Spectacular

This was my second stay at The Lodge at The Ancient City - I returned because I found the location and facilities spectacular.
Service was friendly and food was also tremendous this time - as a vegetarian, my preferences were taken care of.
I will return again and highly recommend this wonderful lodge!

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

09 Apr 2021

Verified traveler

The lodges are unique with a great potential to recover when Covid 19 goes down.

I didn't like the fact that paying residents were kicked out because there was an outside Birthday on Saturday and the noise was terrible. The amenities paying residents were supposed to stay by the pool side was reserved for a noisy outside Birthday Party.
The meals could have been better especially for vegans when the lodge were informed about the person.

Best not to go for full-board because the meals didn't match the price being paid

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2020

Chief

Loved everything about the property especially when it rained

6/10

Pleasant

08 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

What an amazing place!!! Food is really good, rooms and beds are very comfortable and set in a beautiful location with some stunning architecture. Two problems though, their location on google maps is incorrect and it was a struggle to find the property. They need to update the property address. Also, I had no hot water!! Not good.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2020

Gunther

What a great experience! Staff accommodated our late check in and early check out. Warm reception and an amazing room!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2020

Rumbi

Very well maintained property. The rooms are exceptionally clean and so refreshing! Beautiful views, trees and relaxing atmosphere. However, the food was underwhelming. Not much variety on the menu. A little bit of planning from the chef and seasoning can transform their meals. The drinks and meals are overpriced.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2019

Diogo

Absolutely great place! I would totally recommended. The only problem is that the confirmation email you get and even the address received will send you to some place near the Polithecnic Institute of Maswingo when, in reality, the Lodge is quite far from that, near the Ancient City.

Partner

4/10

Poor

28 Oct 2019

Michael

Overbooking fiasco

I was booked at the Lodge at the Ancient City and paid for my booking, but I was later informed that the booking could not be honored due to overbooking. We were placed in a nearby hotel in Masvingo, but the condition of that hotel was nowhere near the accommodation we would have enjoyed at the Lodge. We ended up overpaying for a bad hotel because the Lodge at the Ancient City overbooked. We paid for the Lodge. We got a crummy hotel in Masvingo.The Lodge did give us a free meal and tried to make it right, but we still had three nights in a very undesirable hotel at the cost of the Lodge at the Ancient City. Unsatisfied. I was pleased they attempted to make it right, but I wanted what I paid for. The Lodge is very nice.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

11 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

Amazing settind and rooms simply stunning. One concern, breakfast $20US/head .

8/10

Excellent

14 May 2019

Edward

Very good

It is a nice and pleasant place to stay, particularly if you need somehow tranquil and peace of mind..you can breeze fresh air from forests around you! however, they need massive improvement for their breakfast....(or be realistic of what they charge, they charge 20 or 25 usd per person and this is somehow too way high), they have a very simple breakfast which doest nt cost one more than 8-10 usd.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 May 2019

Gregory

Zimbabwe spectacular

Spectacular design and atmosphere. Very welcoming. Great experience. Meals pleasant and homely but not on a par with the decor.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2019

Edson

Great Zimbabwe retreat

Amazing place and beautiful, great service by staff. Food could be improved

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2019

Pete

Its unique, reflection of the Great Dzimbabwe. Lovely bush, birds and quiet.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

30 Nov 2018

Verified traveler

Gem in Zimbabwe

Beautiful lodge with great hospitality. Excellent staff

10/10

Exceptional

27 Oct 2018

Iain

Greeeeaaaat Zimbabwe

Absolutely fantastic. The perfect setting for visiting Great Zimbabwe and the staff were so friendly and knowledgeable and went out of their way to solve my petrol problems (successfully). Great rooms, with fantastic views and a beautiful restaurant.They even washed my car as a little surprise bonus.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Sep 2018

Verified traveler

Truly Zim, rich flora, fauna and quiet country nights....loved it

6/10

Pleasant

12 Sep 2018

Tom

Great location and, in principle, facilities and rooms. Also very friendly welcome. However, slow and barely smiling service at the restaurant and lack of attention to detail do this place a disservice. You have a fabulous terrace overlooking valley and the Great Enclosure. Why not make it welcoming? Large tables with plastic table cloths do not invite to sit and have a light meal. What is needed are four seater tables nicely presented and arranged across the terrace rather than bunched together in one corner. People don't want to eat in the gloomy dining area when there is a nice spring sunshine out there.

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2018

Mercy

Fantastic place,

Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Enjoyable stay

We had a couole problems but we enjoyed staying here and would stay again. First issue--we had requested a crib but it was not in our room. Second-took us a long time to check-out. Maybe they need more staff at the front desk or maybe more organization? We enjoyed our family room though. Very nice and comfortable. Breakfast was nice as well but meals can be a little pricey. Local area is pretty much non-existent because the hotel is in the boonies (hence the rating) so you don't have much else to do besides visit Great Zimbabwe.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jun 2018

Eoin

Room in the jungle

Good hotel

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2018

Verified traveler

Great

Beautiful rooms , delicious food , big area in general and great pool . Loved it !

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2018

richard

Amazing

This has to be one of the most atmospheric hotels anywhere. The room was huge as was the bathroom and the decor exceptional. I am a vegetarian and the chef made me a vegetarian main course. It was great. Staff were very friendly and helpful.

10/10

Exceptional

14 Feb 2018

Ennie

Back to my roots

It’s was great being back to the motherland,Zimbabwe Africa. The ruins are really great. Just showed how innovative our ancestors were though the media does say much about the acumen of the black Africans.Having my wife and daughter with me, my mother, my mother in law , my grandmother and all my siblings around was really awesome. Chatting on starry nights and just connecting with nature as well a my beautiful family was just priceless. Coming from a Canadian winter. The break from the cold was really well appreciated . This was a great experience!!

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

Nice hotel; interesting decor

A great place to stay near the Great Zimbabwe monument. Hotel architecture follows that of the monument.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2017

Kathy

Nice hotel in a quiet refreshing location

The staff were very friendly and welcoming.The lodge is very clean and earthy/natural, built around the the natural local granite stone, it’s a resemblance of Zimbabwe Ruins.The bar and dining areas are quite spectacular featuring these granite stones right inside them.We were meant to stay for one night but we ended up adding another night.The location and set up of this lodge is very quiet peaceful and refreshing.If you’re looking for a get away place there’s one 😀

6/10

Pleasant

22 Dec 2017

rebecca

Architecture 10/10, Food 1/10, stay but don't eat!

Wonderfully and interestingly designed on the theme of Great Zimbabwe the architecture is its main attraction and the only reason we opted to stay here. Rooms are huge, and beds comfortable. However the remote location of this hotel means there are no alternative bars/restaurants nearby so if you want to eat, you have no alternative but to eat here. The food was dreadful and extortionate prices, even by Zim standards. We arrived late after a long drive and the hotel appeared to be deserted with no other guests, although they were apparently busy. We ordered the set menu, I had fish my partner had the T-bone. The fish was dry and tasteless, but just about edible, the T-bone was from an unidentifiable animal and completely inedible, all sinew, fat and gristle with barely an inch of edible meat. The waiting staff are polite but completely ineffectual, and when we complained they merely nodded and appeared clueless as to what to do. Breakfast wasn't much better, but after the previous nights experience we stuck to a continental breakfast, a cheaper and no doubt more edible option.
If you arent bothered about eating, then this is a really great place.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2017

Daniel

Great place to stay

Highly recommended - Atmosphere, location, accommodation style

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jun 2017

Carlos

Excelent

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Apr 2017

Verified traveler

Location Location Location

Fabulous Location - can See Great ZImbabwe from the Patio

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2017

Brian

Big room in the park

All the rooms are separate single houses in the hotel area. It is just in the Great Zimbabwe park area though it is a separate area inside the boarder of the park.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Feb 2017

Steven

Nice environment

It is a very large room with two big beds. All the rooms are single houses in a nice small hill just neighboring the Great Zimbabwe Park.

8/10

Excellent

08 Jan 2017

Judah and Eunice

A real refreshing \"Touch teh Wild\" experience!

It was a pleasant wild experience. Not the same as it was twelve years ago when I last visited. The thatch repairs are not up to standard and the new grass does not look good. Very bad workmanship. There was no TV and the wifi was poor.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Jan 2017

Verified traveler

Unique Hotel and experience...

Unique Hotel and experience... must seen! nice staff. location close to great zimbabwe.

8/10

Excellent

26 Dec 2016

Feng

Good location

The lodge is around 1 km to the entrance of Great Zimbabwe, a very good location. You may see the main building of Great Zimbabwe even in the lodge.

10/10

Exceptional

04 May 2016

Nano

Time trip to the past

The Great Zimbabwe like hotel site and traditional ancient style hut made us feel like we were in that era. The room was spacious and clean with cool ' rock' interior. One downside was there was only cloth divider btw bathroom and bedroom. Restaurant food was ok but breakfast was overpriced. Hotel staff were friendly and helpful. They gave advice from guest's standpoint not travel agent.

8/10

Excellent

21 Mar 2016

travel

unique lodge, ver

very spacious room, unique building (african hut), good quality bed, everything was so nice (except kettle which was very old and not very clean). we really want to recommend everyone to stay there, also we would like to go back to stay longer there. at the same time, its uniquness made us to want to meet the owner of the lodge!!