JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

UNBELIEVABLE! I’ve been fortunate to many different Marriotts in this one, blew the rest of them out of the water. Both from to the Hospitality from all the different departmental staff this was a trip of a lifetime. Richard at the bar will be the best mixologist you’ve ever come across for whatever it is that you desire to drink. He always had drinks ready to go for us for the night safaris as well. Diana did such a wonderful job organizing the staff and making sure all needs were attended to. Her nighttime fireside stories in the Masai culture were very informative. Timothy in housekeeping left the room perfect for set up and turn downs consistently and made sure our daily laundry was always returned. Sophie was our All-Star as she was an excellent guide and had so many facts of all the species we came across, which was just about everything we could’ve asked for. Fairman was the lodge manager and it was clear he takes a great amount of pride in his job to make sure all the appropriate staff members are well trained and educated for their positions, which showed. Faith and Melvin were excellent therapists at the spa for both massages and facials. The food was absolutely incredible as they change the menu for each meal every day. We never had one bad or mediocre meal. Killion was a great server and very attentive to our needs. One night we missed the dinner and he called us to check on us to see if they could bring us dinner, very thoughtful. The lodge only holds about 44 people so it is extremely intimate and personal. For an all inclusive it is worth whatever the point amount is considering you would get so much value, including the safaris which includes two a day. Even if you have to pay for this, the value is absolutely there. “Canon” Ken set you up with $30,000 photo lens and camera for breathtaking photos. He is very experienced and his Instagram page shows his talent offer very well. For only $25 to rent a camera during your whole day it is one of the biggest steals as well. Ken also helped us clean up, choose, and edit our photos. The spa was very rejuvenating and includes a free cold plunge, steam, and dry sauna that you can block off for an hour whenever for private use. The gym is also sufficient right next to the beautiful infinity edge pool, which was carefully maintained. Tanuj and Wilson were incredible help and courteous at the front desk. They went above and beyond to contact and change our flights when we needed help. Joseph (Mr Hippo) the F&B director was very knowledgeable on everything animal related and was always ready for an in depth discussion on life and the culture which was greatly appreciated. We witnessed him actually communicating with the hippos that are on property which was cool. Go take a look at the garden, you’ll never see a better one. I could go on and on, but I do not have one complaint of criticism. Get here!

We spent 5 unforgettable days on safari at the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, and from the moment we arrived to the moment we left, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary. First and foremost, the resort itself is absolutely stunning. The interior design is among the best we’ve ever seen—elegant, serene, and inviting, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere that perfectly complements the natural beauty surrounding it. Our room was spacious and thoughtfully appointed, featuring a luxurious en suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers. The bed was exceptionally comfortable—a small but meaningful luxury after long safari days. Our room attendant, Duncan, went above and beyond. He was kind, attentive, and detail-oriented, making us feel so welcomed every single day. We were also celebrating our anniversary during our stay and were deeply touched by the surprise decorations and thoughtful handwritten note—it was such a special gesture. The food throughout the stay was wonderful, beautifully prepared and varied. One highlight was the bush breakfast, where we shared a lovely morning meal with the couple we rode with all week and our incredible guide, Sophie. Sophie was one of the true stars of this experience. A fearless and passionate guide, she worked tirelessly to ensure every guest saw the animals they hoped for. We learned so much from her and were lucky enough to witness two lion kills—an exhilarating and unforgettable part of the trip. Another highlight was our visit to a local Maasai village, where we were welcomed with traditional dances and given a fascinating, informative tour by Robert, who was a gracious and engaging host. The lodge also provides high-quality cameras for guest use, which was such a thoughtful touch. Kennedy, the in-house photographer, was an absolute gem—patient, knowledgeable, and kind. He taught us so much about photography, and thanks to him, we captured memories we’ll cherish forever. Every single member of the staff made us feel like royalty—genuine hospitality at its finest. This was truly the trip of a lifetime, and we cannot recommend JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge highly enough. It is worth every penny, and we will carry the memories with us forever.

This place is absolutely fantastic. It is hard to describe our experience in words, but here is an attempt. First and foremost- the staff are extremely caring and committed to their guests having a great time. They will go out of their way to serve- and will do so with a smile all the time. All meals were served by Patrick who by the third day had taken care of some of the finest details on our meal preference without us even asking. The food itself is good and we liked the freshness of ingredients used and the flavours. The portion sizes were perfect. The team of Joseph and Victor at the bar serves great drinks with a smile and sometimes with a story. Diana is full of stories- we loved her story about love and marriages in Masai communities. Finally, Thelma is a strong and capable manager who is on top of the minor details. The rooms were well stocked and comfortable. Good views of the Talek river from your sit-out, comfortable four poster beds, well stocked mini-bar, outdoor shower were all good features. The use of a Masai spear to signal "do not disturb" was a nice touch. Now coming to the wildlife. We did 7 safaris during our 5-night stay (not counting the 2 transfers to and from the airstrip that end up being mini safaris!). It is the Masai Mara, so we saw lions, leopards, cheetahs on more than one occasion. We were lucky to spot a rhino on one safari- which is quite rare and somewhat elusive. In fact, we did an extended game drive one morning where in a matter of 5 hours, we managed to see the Big 5. Also, we saw 50+ varieties of birds. Our guide Jacob was extremely knowledgeable about the Masai Mara, took great interest in what is it that we wanted to see (for example, we specifically asked to learn about birds), and almost always figured out a way to position our jeep to get the best view. His love for the wildlife was really nice to see and most importantly he had a deep respect for the animals and was extremely responsible in the way he parked his jeep (always giving space when there were lion cubs around being a good example). So what could be better? I cannot think of much here. We hope to come back soon!

From the very start, my experience at JW Marriott was nothing short of spectacular, and much of that is thanks to our guide, Sophy, the undisputed Queen of the Mara! Not only is she the best driver and guide you could ever hope for, but her deep personal knowledge of the land, keen ability to spot even the most elusive wildlife, and genuine connections with the local community make every safari an adventure of a lifetime. She knows every park ranger, every driver from other lodges, and—most importantly—where to find the animals! She has never met a stranger and has almost a sixth sense of what animals will do. She got us to see the Big 5 in the first twenty-four hours of arrival. After that, we made a crazy wishlist including a leopard carrying prey into a tree, the smallest baby elephant we could find, cheetahs making a kill, and scavengers stealing a lion’s meal along with a few others and she got all of those experiences for us! If I didn’t know nature better, I would think she was cueing the animals as we arrived. Being with Sophy means experiencing the Mara like never before, with insights and expertise that turn every drive into an unforgettable journey. Beyond the incredible safaris, the JW Marriott itself is a masterpiece of luxury and hospitality. The entire staff goes above and beyond to ensure every guest feels like royalty. Joseph brings endless joy with his legendary hippo impersonations and radiant hospitality, making every interaction a delight. The dining service is second to none, thanks to the exceptional care of Richard, Benjamin, Noah, Leshan, and Naicherwa, who deliver flawless, warm, and attentive service. I can’t say enough good things about them! At the lodge you can eat your meals pretty much anywhere and we found ourselves actively trying to give ourselves more time at the main lodge just so that we could run into the staff. Dr. Victor, the masterful bartender, crafts world-class cocktails with flair, making every drink an experience in itself. From the moment you arrive, Diana welcomes you with warmth and stunning beadwork (that she will teach you to make any time of day!), adding a personal and authentic touch to the experience. The front desk team, led by the outstanding Thelma, with the ever-helpful Wilson, ensures a seamless and stress-free stay. Kennedy and Moses, the talented photographers, will teach you how to use the cameras that they lend you so that the memories last forever. The camera was truly an unexpected favorite part of the trip, taking an already incredible safari to the next level as we all tried to get “the shot” in addition to viewing the animals. Also, for those in need of true relaxation, Faith provides the most rejuvenating massages, melting away every ounce of stress at the spa! There is also a fabulous cold plunge which in the middle of a 90 degree day saved me. Every detail of our room was meticulously cared for, by Emily, the best room cleaner, keeping accommodations pristine and welcomin

Stayed 5 night at JW Masai Mara and did not want to leave. Let’s start with staff. Everyone, I mean everyone was polite and smiling. Breakfast, Luch and Dinner had plenty of options for anyone. Great drink selection and a magical atmosphere..

Wow! This was absolutely the most amazing trip we’ve ever had. Everything about this lodge was first class- the incredible staff, lodge, the food- truly everything! We can’t say enough good things about our experience. They think of everything here! Special thanks to our outstanding guide Vinny, and also to Leshan and Elias (dining) Anna (housekeeping), Lilian (incredible on site nurse) Thelma and Brian (guest services), Bhuvan (chef) and Moses in the camera shop.