JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

If you're thinking about visiting Kenya and having the full safari experience, you HAVE to stay at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. We went for our honeymoon and everything was just perfect. We had high expectations considering that this was quite a luxurious stay, and they were exceeded in every way. Property - The lodge itself is brand new, only one year since opening. It's modern, clean and beautifully designed. We loved that it wasn't a huge property so it felt intimate, you knew most of the staff and guests, and it was never crowded anywhere (lounge, pool, etc.). The suites are incredibly comfortable, well thought out with functional spaces and furniture. It gives you a glamping vibe because it is tented, but there are doors, walls, showers and such. There are fans, no air conditioning which we were surprised about but after a day and night, there's no need for it! Once it is dark out, you need a Masai warrior (locals) to escort you to your room in case of any encounters with animals. At night when you're in your suite, you can hear a lot of animal noises especially the house hippo. It can be a little concerning but exciting! Amenities - The most amazing amenity (which we didn't even realize was included) is being able to borrow their fancy cameras for the entire stay so that you can capture clear pictures on the drives. The photographers at the studio room gave us a quick tutorial on how to use it. It was a Canon EOS with 100-500mm lens. Then after your stay, when you return it, they help you download all the photos to your phone and edit your favorites. Kennedy helped us and he was super efficient and friendly. We loved hearing about his background and experience. This was an all-inclusive so food and drinks are included. There's only 1 restaurant called Sarabi but they change up the menu every day which is unique. All the meals were great and delicious. The desserts could be better but still good. Laundry was also included, with 10 max number of items per day, which was more than enough for us. There is a pool and outdoor gym that we used a few times. We enjoyed it because it was always clean and peaceful. Game Drives / Excursions - There are 2 game drives per day included, once in the early morning and then once in the evening which is late afternoon. Jacob was our guide and driver and he was so knowledgeable, skilled, patient and personable. He would always share information with us while driving. He stopped every time when we saw animals so we could take photos. He is the man. The jeep was very comfortable and we loved that it was totally open so gave us great views all around. Masai Mara is a wonderful reserve, flat landscape so you can easily spot tons of animals. We saw the Big 5 in two days and we went during low season. Note that you have to pay park fees which is $100 USD per person per day. It's more during peak season in the summer months. Excursions are not included but easily bookable through the lodge. We booked the

From the moment we arrived, the warmth and professionalism of the staff at JW Marriott Masai Mara set the tone for what was to become the best trip of my life. The resort's ambiance is a perfect blend of luxury and nature, making every moment special. Our tent was not only comfortable but equipped with all the essentials, ensuring a perfect retreat after each day's adventures. The game drives were a thrill, filled with amazing sightings that became even more memorable with the enthusiasm and expertise of our guide, Anthony. His passion for wildlife and extensive knowledge immensely enriched our experience. A special mention goes to the culinary delights prepared by the kitchen. Each meal was a treat, and the staff, particularly attentive to my dietary needs, often went out of their way to prepare special dishes just for me. The level of personalized service here is truly unmatched. The heart of JW Marriott Masai Mara, however, truly lies in its people. Jemma and Wilson at the front desk were incredibly welcoming, making us feel like part of the family. Our server, Patrick, always greeted us with a smile, adding a touch of joy to our meals. Moreover, our guide Anthony was the star of our safari, bringing the magic of the Masai Mara to life with his insightful stories and passion for conservation. I cannot recommend JW Marriott Masai Mara enough. There was nothing left to be desired, and we are already planning our return to this spectacular haven. Tips for Future Visitors: Embrace the Rainy Season: Don’t let the rainy season deter you from visiting. Not only does it cool down the game drives, but it also adds a unique beauty to the landscape that is truly mesmerizing. Travel Light with Daily Laundry: The resort offers a daily laundry service, allowing you to pack light. We found that athletic clothes were comfortable for day wear and easy to wash and reuse, thanks to this convenient service. Comfort Without Air Conditioning: While the tents lack air conditioning, don’t be concerned. The evenings are cool enough for a comfortable sleep, and for the midday heat, a quick shower proved to be a refreshing solution.

I honestly don't know where to start. From the moment we arrived at JW Maasai Mara Lodge, we were captivated not only at the beautiful scenery, but just how caring, attentive, and detail oriented the entire staff was. The knowledge everyone has, the cultural experiences we were given as the Masai Warriors greeted us with their welcome, the in depth talk and tour of hotel at check in with Wilson and Jemma, our personal food and drink connoisseur, Francis, and last but not least our head Game drive extrodinaire, Nicholas became part of our family very quickly and will always be. This hotel is honestly the only way to go if planning or doing a game drive out by Maasai Mara, I can not recommend a more perfect place and setting that has everything included such as cameras for your game drive, refillable drinks and food in tent, Jacuzzi, outdoor/indoor showers....the list goes on. Timothy, Victor, Richard were essential in keeping our late evening drink vibes chill and room always on point. A huge shout-out to all the warriors that kept us safe every night at the Lodge and to every staff there, I wish you all so much success. I shall return! Love, Luke.

One of the best Marriott properties out there. If you are looking for a high-end Safari experience, this is the way to go. Staff and service are excellent, property is stunning, and food is very high quality. Only downside is no AC, otherwise I can't recommend this place enough

I travel a lot, and I can definitely say this was one of the top hotel-hospitality experiences of my life! The architecture, design and physical buildings are all great. Awesome firepit and places to sit, relax, have a coffee or a cocktail. The (fancy) tents are beautiful and comfortable (amazing beds)...and the private hot tub on the deck great to relax in under the stars. The food was soooo tasty. The game drives amazing - and the Mara is so beautiful. After all that, though, what really stands out is the service! I won't start naming names becasue I would not know where to start. The team at the JW Masai Mara provide the most kind, genuine, caring service. I was blown away! As a new hotel, I'm guessing they have occasional visits from Marriott to assess how the property is doing. If so, I hope the folks from Marriott learn some lessons from how this property is operated, how the staff is trained and just the genuine warmth and kindess of every staff member we encountered. What an exceptional stay!

We had the most amazing stay at this lodge. The food, the people, the game drives, the accommodations, everything was above our expectations. I've been lucky to travel quite a bit and this might possibly be the best experience ever. We've stayed at Ritz Carlton's, St. Regis, Waldorf Astoria, etc and our time here was exceptional and memorable. The people genuinely seem to care about you and were incredibly helpful and accommodating during our stay. From the personal notes left daily by our room attendant, to the servers remembering our choice of drinks, everything was amazing. If you are looking to do a safari in Kenya I can't recommend this place enough.

I can't say enough good things about this place. Every moment of our stay was magical. The food was incredible no matter what was offered, and of course the waiters and kitchen would do everything in their power to accommodate requests or substitutions. The rooms were spacious, comfortable, and secluded. The activities, game drives, and cultural experiences were an absolute blast. At one point my wife and I were asked to provide feedback as to what they could improve on, and honestly we could not think of a single thing. Special thanks to our game driver Vincent, who not only navigated the reserve like it was his own backyard, but somehow managed to get us an up-close encounter with every animal we could have hoped to see. Every moment of which we captured on the very nice Canon camera lent to us by Moses via Marriot upon arrival. The wait/bar staff Elias, Stillian, and Viktor, who were incredible attentive and helpful throughout. The front desk and management of Thelma, Gemma, Kennedy, and Fairmon, who answered our dozens of questions and helped us with all matters large and small. In reality every person we encountered went out of their way to make sure this was the best possible experience for us and we cannot wait to come back as soon as possible!

My wife and I stayed at the JW Marriott Masai Mara for a couple of nights on the last leg of our honeymoon. Our only regret is not adding a couple more nights to our itinerary. Staff were beyond remarkable and the provided amenities were unmatched! Beginning with our concierge Thelma, we were treated like royalty. She was extremely knowledgeable and made sure that we were well taken care of, and that all of our requests were met. Next, our room attendant, James provided the sweetest messages and most dignified turn-down service that I have experienced, including heated bedding, mosquito netting setup, and the cleanest tent imaginable. Obviously, you are still out in nature, so expect critters, but James did a fantastic job of making our tent a welcoming place after our game drives. He even left us little trinkets during our stay! Speaking of game drives, Janet, our driver was amazing. She was knowledgeable, fun, and relentless in her pursuit of wildlife. The only animal that we failed to come across was the black rhino. It was also very apparent that she had the respect of her peers, that drove for other camps. Finally, Noah was our absolute favorite and the best meal attendant. He took such great care of us and was an absolute pleasure to get to know in such a small amount of time. Jolly and welcoming by nature, there is no way you could have a bad day with him around. Fairman, the lodge manager, has top-notch staff and we would love to return. The value of this resort is truly unmatched, from the included game drives, to the food, and the facilities. Another extremely generous touch is the ability to borrow a Canon R6 Mark II camera for the stay. These thoughtful touches truly make this resort a gem!

My husband and I have been fortunate to travel all over the world and experience a number of really unique adventures - from ice hotels in the Swedish Laplands to scuba diving in the Maldives - and none will ever compare to being on Safari in Kenya - specifically with the team at JW Marriott Masai Mara. The greatest stroke of good luck for us may have been receiving Jacob as our tour guide. From the moment he picked us up at the Keekorok airstrip to the moment we said goodbye after our last game drive, he kept us safe and well taken care of. You could tell how much he loved nature, and we were the lucky beneficiaries of that love for his work - Jacob spent countless hours patiently answering our questions and explaining how life in the Masai Mara works (we learned so much about the natural rhythms and ecosystems of the animals and seasons and by the end of day 5 began to see some of the patterns ourselves thanks to Jacob's expert guidance!). After exhilarating game drives, we would arrive back to camp to be spoiled by the incredible staff at JW Marriot Masai Mara. Always a refreshing twist on a hippo splash from Richard or Jonathan, or an offer for the perfect fresh squeezed juice from Patrick, Noah, Janet, and team to keep us well looked after. And then we would get to our gorgeous room that was made up and turned down like clockwork by our amazing attendant Anne. Not a day went by without a beautiful handwritten note from her and each day felt like yet another in paradise. The greatest resort amenity we have ever had was at the JW Marriott Masai Mara - access to Canon DSLRs with telephoto lenses and an expert photographer to help guide you and review your shots from the day. Thank you Moses for your patience and for making us better photographers - and for getting us hooked on getting the perfect shot. This incredible team, who made you feel like every giraffe encounter was the first ever by a guest at the resort, is led by two of the kindest and hardest working individuals we have ever met - a massive thank you to Kennedy and Thelma for making it look so effortless and making each guest feel so incredibly well looked after. The first word Kennedy taught us in swahili was rafiki, which means friend, and that's exactly how the team will make you feel. It's not often you leave a vacation and feel like you are leaving friends, but the staff at JW Marriott Masai Mara should be the gold standard for hospitality training around the world. They opened their hearts to us and welcomed us with open arms, and we are waiting for the day we can go back. If you have the means, go to Safari in Kenya and stay at the JW Marriott. Thank me later. Asanta sana, team at JW Marriott Masai Mara. Until we meet again... Nur-e and James