The Maasai Mara National Reserve is now home to the first luxury safari lodge established by the international hotel chain Marriott International in Africa. Twenty opulent, spacious ensuite tents with private decks and views of the renowned shores of River Talek are available at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge.
The Mara Lodge is the fourth property in Kenya by the US hotel brand and represents its entry into the African safari sector.
“Fostering meaningful connections and nourishing the soul is at the heart of the JW Marriott brand, so entering the luxury safari segment is a natural next step,” said Bruce Rohr, JW Marriott global brand leader.
Facilities
Guests at the lodge will share a dining area, lounge bar, spa, gym, photographic studio, garden and a large outdoor viewing deck with a fire pit.
A night at the Mara Lodge costs at least $1,715 (Sh222,950), putting it in the league of the likes of Mahali Mzuri where rates per night start from $ 1,485 (Sh193,090).
JW Marriott is a component of the luxury portfolio of brands offered by Marriott International, which also includes the Four Points, Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection Hotels, and W Hotel.
“We are excited to welcome travellers to a transformative and wellness-forward stay delivered with JW Marriott’s legacy of extraordinary hospitality,” said Mr Rohr.
After signing a franchise deal with the Marriott Group in 2018, Sankara began marketing its independently run premium brand, Autograph Collection, at the Westlands Hotel.
On the other hand, the 172-room Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, which debuted in October 2017, and the 96-room Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham, a renovation, are two additional hotels in Nairobi run by Marriott.
As part of its Sh31 billion investment by its partners in Nairobi, the hospitality company also revealed plans for the construction of a second facility under its affiliated Protea Hotel brand in 2019.
Consequently, 29 international hotel chains are thinking about building new sites in Kenya.
