Ngorongoro Lodge

“My stay at Melia Ngorongoro Lodge was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I arrived, everything exceeded my expectations—the breathtaking surroundings, the comfort of the lodge, and the overall attention to detail made it a truly unforgettable experience. A very special mention goes to Mohamed, who was absolutely wonderful throughout my stay. His professionalism, warmth, and dedication to ensuring everything was perfect truly stood out. He went above and beyond to make my experience memorable. I would also like to recognize the fantastic team members Emma, Epimark, Fernando, Flora, Jacobo, and Rajabu. Each of them contributed to the welcoming atmosphere with their kindness, attentiveness, and excellent service. Thank you all for making my stay so special. I would highly recommend this lodge to anyone looking for an outstanding and memorable experience.”

“A place where the sun, the sky and the beauty of a wild green african landscape come together in harmony with an extraordinary hospitality! We had the privilege of staying for two nights at Meliá Ngorongoro Lodge, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The location is simply breathtaking, offering a unique and stunning view over the Ngorongoro Crater. From the very beginning, we felt warmly welcomed. Emma greeted us upon arrival with exceptional kindness, professionalism, and genuine warmth—she is truly a wonderful person who made us feel at home instantly. Later, we had the pleasure of meeting Fernando, the hotel manager, whose friendliness, charm, and attentiveness perfectly reflect the spirit of this remarkable place. It is evident that this hotel is run with great passion, dedication, and the highest level of professionalism. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the entire team. Every staff member we encountered was incredibly kind, attentive, and welcoming. Their warmth and professionalism add a very special touch, making this hotel a true gem on the crater rim. We felt incredibly comfortable throughout our stay and are deeply grateful to have experienced such an extraordinary place. The combination of the unique location, the beautiful hotel, and the outstanding team makes this a truly exceptional destination. We will definitely return! Asante sana, Fabrice & Stefan”

“Mi estancia en el Meliá Ngorongoro ha sido una experiencia absolutamente inolvidable, de esas que te acompañan toda la vida. He tenido la suerte de viajar y alojarme en hoteles espectaculares, pero este hotel se sitúa en una categoría completamente superior. Me atrevería a decir que probablemente se trata de uno de los hoteles con mejores vistas del mundo. Despertar frente al cráter del Ngorongoro es algo que no se puede describir. La ubicación del hotel es simplemente incomparable. Estar en el borde del cráter del Ngorongoro es un privilegio que pocos lugares en el mundo pueden ofrecer. Pero si algo convierte este hotel en un lugar verdaderamente especial no es solo su ubicación privilegiada, si no las personas que lo forman, y su servicio. Y aquí quiero mencionar a Emma, Fernando y Jacobo, quienes hicieron que nuestra estancia fuera perfecta de principio a fin. Su trato fue excepcional, cercano, atento y lleno de detalles, al igual como del resto de trabajadores del hotel. El hotel en sí es una auténtica joya. Las habitaciones son amplias, cómodas, combinando lujo con elementos locales que te recuerdan constantemente dónde estás y cada detalle está pensado para que el huésped se sienta cómodo. Las zonas comunes son igualmente espectaculares: la terraza con vistas al cráter es un lugar mágico, el restaurante ofrece una gastronomía excelente, el desayuno es variado, y abundante, y las zonas de descanso, los salones y los espacios exteriores están diseñados para relajarse, desconectar, disfrutar del entorno y de las espectaculares vistas. En resumen, el Meliá Ngorongoro es uno de los mejores hoteles que he visto nunca. Volvería sin dudarlo. Y lo recomendaría a cualquiera que quiera vivir una experiencia única, inolvidable y llena de magia en uno de los rincones más impresionantes del planeta. (Translated by Google) My stay at the Meliá Ngorongoro was an absolutely unforgettable experience, one of those that stays with you for a lifetime. I've been fortunate enough to travel and stay in spectacular hotels, but this hotel is in a completely different league. I would even venture to say that it's probably one of the hotels with the best views in the world. Waking up facing the Ngorongoro Crater is something that defies description. The hotel's location is simply incomparable. Being on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater is a privilege that few places in the world can offer. But what truly makes this hotel special isn't just its prime location, but the people who work there and their service. And here I want to mention Emma, ​​Fernando, and Jacobo, who made our stay perfect from beginning to end. Their service was exceptional, friendly, attentive, and full of thoughtful touches, as was that of the rest of the hotel staff. The hotel itself is a true gem. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, combining luxury with local touches that constantly remind you of your surroundings, and every detail is designed to make guests feel at ease. The common areas are equally spectacular: the terrace overlooking the crater is a magical place, the restaurant offers excellent cuisine, the breakfast is varied and plentiful, and the lounges, relaxation areas, and outdoor spaces are designed for unwinding, disconnecting, and enjoying the surroundings and the breathtaking views. In short, the Meliá Ngorongoro is one of the best hotels I have ever seen. I would return without hesitation. And I would recommend it to anyone who wants to experience a unique, unforgettable, and magical stay in one of the most stunning places on the planet.”

“What’s better than sleeping and eating in a hotel next to an ancient crater?”

“Do This for Yourself! You deserve a stay here! Rarely, maybe never, does a lodging measure up to its professional marketing photographs. Melia Ngorongoro exceeded our high expectations in every way. I couldn’t stop taking pictures of the breathtaking views of The Crater, visible from every room and public area. Sunlight reflecting on the water below and mist and fog rising in the morning makes it different each time you look. While the wildlife in the crater is a must do enroute to the Serengeti, this lodge is so spectacular, I’d advise adding an extra day so you can truly enjoy this property as I did during our three nights there. It’s truly a destination in itself. FOOD - The meals included in full board were delicious. Who can argue with options like beef fillet, seared tuna, truffled potatoes, and tiramisu, served in the lovely comfortable dining room or on the outside terrace overlooking the crater. One evening we opted instead to dine at their alacarte Crater Grill ( generous credit from full board plan) to treat our beloved meat-loving safari guide Humphrey Joseph to a special dinner. The rib-eye was the tastiest I’ve ever had & ended up feeding 3 of us. SPA & INFINITY POOL - My massage on day one was so amazing, I opted for more treatments the next two days. I wanted to bring therapist Flora home with me. Technique was superb, but it was her graciousness and care for my comfort that kept me coming back. Lovely pricing helped! Treatments or not, any guest can enjoy the private steam room or saunas. I don’t do even slightly cool pools & the warmth of the infinity pool was just right. I had the luxury of having it to myself one afternoon & I can still feel the joy of swimming the length and being greeted by another amazing view of the crater. STAFF - Retired, we travel at least half the year. Nowhere else in the world, especially at 4 & 5 star resorts, have we been made to feel so welcome and cared for: welcome drink and towel before we entered, gracious reception and meal servers, and if I paused in a hallway or public area for more than three seconds, someone was asking me if I needed help or directions. A special shout out to Guest Experience Manager Emma Clarke. Surprised to be greeted by someone with so much to do at our first meal, she checked on us many times & I departed hoping our paths cross again. (Apologies that I can’t find my notes with names of the other noteworthy staff members - there were many! ) MELIA FOREVER- I didn’t know the Melia name until I chose it for its easy crater access and a pampering stay near the end of 17 nights in safari tent camps. Based on our stay here, and an also very nice stay in Melia Arusha, I promptly switched an upcoming stay in Bali to a Melia property. Melia is a respected 70 year old Spanish hotel group with properties in 40 countries — they’ll be my go to from now on.”