Reviews of Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection

“Il soggiorno al Ngorongoro Lodge member of Meliá Collection è stato molto più di una semplice esperienza: è stato un viaggio nell’emozione. La posizione è qualcosa di indescrivibile. Affacciarsi e trovarsi davanti una vista così spettacolare lascia senza parole. La natura qui non fa solo da cornice, ma diventa parte integrante dell’esperienza. L’atmosfera è magica, elegante ma calda, raffinata ma autentica. Si respira un equilibrio perfetto tra lusso e connessione con il territorio. Il cibo è straordinario: piatti curati, sapori ricercati, ingredienti di qualità. Ogni momento a tavola è un’esperienza sensoriale, mai banale, sempre sorprendente. Ma ciò che rende questo posto davvero unico è il personale. Un’attenzione al cliente fuori dagli schemi, sincera, presente, mai forzata. Ti fanno sentire importante, ascoltato, accolto. Non è semplice professionalità: è cura vera. Un grazie speciale a Emma, Jacobo, Ally, ai meravigliosi Masai che rendono l’atmosfera ancora più autentica, e a Flora e Cristina della SPA, capaci di trasformare un trattamento in un momento di puro benessere e rigenerazione. Il nostro driver Alex, professionale, simpatico, sempre pronto a soddisfare ogni nostra richiesta, non potevamo chiedere di meglio. Qui non si è solo ospiti. Qui ci si sente parte di qualcosa di raro. Un luogo davvero magico, di quelli che non si dimenticano.”

“La situación del hotel está en una ubicación excelente, con unas vistas inmejorables a la caldera hemos pasado unos días inolvidables gracias a todo el personal , así como a su director Fernando también tuvimos al mejor guía-conductor Alex por su simpatía , educación y formación. Será muy difícil superar esta experiencia. Gracias a todos.”

“A massive thank you to the amazing team at Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá! We absolutely loved our stay here. The Spanish management team brings such a fun, warm, and welcoming vibe to the whole place. But the absolute star of our stay was Emma, the Lobby Manager. She is literally the sweetest person ever, with such a bubbly and lovely personality. Every time we saw her, she just made our day better! The most touching moment happened right as we were leaving. Emma literally ran out to our safari car just to wave goodbye and gifted us a beautiful African lucky bracelet made of red beans. It was such a sweet, unexpected surprise that totally melted our hearts. 🥺 Thank you, Emma, and the rest of the team for making our Ngorongoro trip so incredibly special. We miss you guys already! Highly, highly recommend staying here if you're visiting the crater!”

“Staying at the Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection was an absolute highlight of our safari trip. The hotel itself is stunning, offering breathtaking views of the crater, but what truly sets it apart is the exceptional service. The Spanish management team brings a wonderful, vibrant, and warm energy to the heart of Africa. I want to give a very special shoutout to the Lobby Manager, Emma. She is absolutely lovely, with a genuinely caring and bright personality that made us feel right at home. The most touching moment happened just as we were checking out. Emma literally ran out to our car to see us off and gifted us a beautiful African lucky bracelet made of red beans. It was such a heartfelt and unexpected gesture that deeply moved us. Thank you, Emma, and the entire Meliá team for giving us such a beautiful and memorable experience. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Ngorongoro!”

“The place to be....”

“Had a lovely time at this lodge. Service was excellent, setting and views were divine. Rose in particular went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. Thank you”

“We stayed three nights at the Meliá Ngorongoro Lodge as a couple, with game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater. It was an exceptional experience, defined by its location, calm atmosphere, attention to detail, and genuinely engaged service. From the moment you enter the lodge, the openness and scale of the view create an immediate sense of awe. The unobstructed panorama into the Ngorongoro Crater stays with you throughout the entire stay, from the restaurant, the lounge, and the rooms, and brings a rare feeling of calm and perspective. The atmosphere is quiet, adult, and very well balanced. What impressed us was the consistent love for detail: fireplaces lit every evening, real candles throughout the lodge, carefully chosen music, and small but meaningful touches such as books about Tanzanian history, culture, and conservation, as well as binoculars in the restaurant to observe wildlife directly in the crater below. Nothing felt random or staged. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and very quiet. Large windows bring the landscape inside while preserving privacy, and the silence at night was especially welcome after long days on safari. Service was professional, attentive, and warm without ever being intrusive. The management team is visibly present and genuinely involved. Special thanks to Jacobo and Fernando for their hands-on support. Head chef Nicolas delivered consistently high-quality cuisine that felt refined and thoughtful rather than generic. Our tours were led by an excellent guide, Ismail, whose calm and knowledgeable approach made a real difference. Organization and logistics were smooth, with reliable vehicles and good coordination. Despite the natural busyness of the Ngorongoro Crater, the experience never felt rushed - Hakuna Matata. A welcome bonus in this remote location was the great gym with breathtaking views (and the reminder that you are working out at high altitude), as well as surprisingly stable and reliable Wi‑Fi. Sustainability and social responsibility matter deeply to us. It was important that local staff are treated fairly and that the local economy benefits in a meaningful way. The presence of local employees, including Maasai staff, felt respectful and authentic rather than staged. We appreciate the lodge’s concrete efforts in local employment, cooperation with regional partners, and conservation and community initiatives (such as SANAA). At the same time, we do not consider isolated measures sufficient. What we consciously look for is a long-term, embedded sustainability culture: transparent local value creation, fair and well-paid employment, ongoing education and training for local staff, responsible sourcing, measurable ecological standards, and a clear commitment to protecting this fragile ecosystem beyond marketing narratives. We trust the management will continue to deepen and expand these efforts in a consistent and accountable way. Final verdict: An outstandingly located lodge with spectacular views, thoughtful details, excellent service, and a calm, adult atmosphere. If you can, stay longer than just one or two days to make the most of this special location. We would return without hesitation, say thank you and wish the team from Ngorongoro Lodge all the best.”

“We stayed three nights at the Meliá Ngorongoro Lodge as a couple, with game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater. It was an exceptional experience, defined by its location, calm atmosphere, attention to detail, and genuinely engaged service. From the moment you enter the lodge, the openness and scale of the view create an immediate sense of awe. The unobstructed panorama into the Ngorongoro Crater stays with you throughout the entire stay, from the restaurant, the lounge, and the rooms, and brings a rare feeling of calm and perspective. The atmosphere is quiet, adult, and very well balanced. What impressed us was the consistent love for detail: fireplaces lit every evening, real candles throughout the lodge, carefully chosen music, and small but meaningful touches such as books about Tanzanian history, culture, and conservation, as well as binoculars in the restaurant to observe wildlife directly in the crater below. Nothing felt random or staged. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and very quiet. Large windows bring the landscape inside while preserving privacy, and the silence at night was especially welcome after long days on safari. Service was professional, attentive, and warm without ever being intrusive. The management team is visibly present and genuinely involved. Special thanks to Jacobo and Fernando for their hands-on support. Head chef Nicolas delivered consistently high-quality cuisine that felt refined and thoughtful rather than generic. Our tours were led by an excellent guide, Ismail, whose calm and knowledgeable approach made a real difference. Organization and logistics were smooth, with reliable vehicles and good coordination. Despite the natural busyness of the Ngorongoro Crater, the experience never felt rushed - Hakuna Matata. A welcome bonus in this remote location was the great gym with breathtaking views (and the reminder that you are working out at high altitude), as well as surprisingly stable and reliable Wi‑Fi. Sustainability and social responsibility matter deeply to us. It was important that local staff are treated fairly and that the local economy benefits in a meaningful way. The presence of local employees, including Maasai staff, felt respectful and authentic rather than staged. We appreciate the lodge’s concrete efforts in local employment, cooperation with regional partners, and conservation and community initiatives (such as SANAA). At the same time, we do not consider isolated measures sufficient. What we consciously look for is a long-term, embedded sustainability culture: transparent local value creation, fair and well-paid employment, ongoing education and training for local staff, responsible sourcing, measurable ecological standards, and a clear commitment to protecting this fragile ecosystem beyond marketing narratives. We trust the management will continue to deepen and expand these efforts in a consistent and accountable way. Final verdict: An outstandingly located lodge with spectacular views, thoughtful details, excellent service, and a calm, adult atmosphere. If you can, stay longer than just one or two days to make the most of this special location. We would return without hesitation, say thank you and wish the team from Ngorongoro Lodge all the best.”

“Great hotel with beautiful views, delicious food, great hospitality, and easy access into the Crater”

“Outro mundo, fantástico.”

“The first time you walk into the lobby and see the view you'll be wondering if that's as good as it gets. But then you see your room, visit the infinity pool, and get catered to with some of the friendliest people you'll meet. We've been blessed to have stayed at some amazing places in the world and this is a top 3 without a doubt. It's an amazing place to stay”

“This hotel is truly a memorable experience. The location is incredible and the hospitality is top notch. Big thank you to Epimark and Cyprian who went above and beyond for my wife and I.”

“Hotel muy especial con vistas fabulosas al cráter del Ngorongoro. Destaca por la calidad hotelera, el restaurante y la amabilidad y cercanía del personal. Especial mención a su equipo directivo, Emma y Fernando por su atención y esfuerzo para hacernos sentir com en cada. Un sitio para recordar y volver De 4 burgaleses que han quedado encantados”

“La experiencia ha sido todo un lujo. Nada más salir del coche, la hospitalidad y la atención cuidada al detalle te sorprenden, pero una vez entras en el lobby, te quedas sin palabras. Las espectaculares vistas al cráter de Ngorongoro reinan todo el lobby. Es increíble el enorme ventanal y las vistas que puedes ver. Nosotros hasta vimos rinocerontes con los prismáticos. Las habitaciones tienen una decoración muy característica y también cuidada al detalle. Las vistas desde la cama siguen pareciendo un auténtico cuadro vivo. A recalcar la experiencia de ver el Live Action de El Rey León en una de sus salas, seguido de una romántica cena. Hace que sea muy emocionante, ya que, al haber vivido la experiencia del safari, puedes reconocer todos los animales que van apareciendo en la película y decir que has visto cada uno de ellos en persona. Agradecer a todo el staff por habernos hecho pasar a mi pareja y a mi una estancia inolvidable🤩🫶🏻 (Translated by Google) The experience was pure luxury. From the moment you step out of the car, the hospitality and meticulous attention to detail are striking, but once you enter the lobby, you're speechless. The spectacular views of the Ngorongoro Crater dominate the entire lobby. The enormous picture window and the views are incredible. We even spotted rhinos with binoculars. The rooms have a very distinctive and carefully curated decor. The views from the bed still feel like a living painting. A highlight was watching the live-action version of The Lion King in one of their theaters, followed by a romantic dinner. It made it incredibly exciting because, having experienced the safari, you can recognize all the animals that appear in the film and say you saw each one in person. A huge thank you to the entire staff for making my partner and me have an unforgettable stay! 🤩🫶🏻”

“Solo puedo decir wow. Las vistas son inmejorables, así como el staff, el servicio y la comida. Todo está cuidado al mínimo detalle y te sientes muy cuidado y bienvenido desde el minuto uno. Una experiencia que jamás olvidaré (Translated by Google) I can only say wow. The views are unbeatable, as are the staff, the service, and the food. Everything is meticulously cared for, and you feel pampered and welcome from the moment you arrive. An experience I will never forget.”

“This place was so cool to stay at! We overlooked the crater and it was a beautiful view. Truly once in a lifetime. The rooms were very comfortable and more technological than you’d expect for being out in basically the middle of nowhere. The drive to the crater is about one hour and there’s plenty to see—lions, hippos, elephants, water buffalo, and more. Roads are a bit bumpy. The staff is very friendly and they want to make sure you have a great time!”

“The Melia Brand consistently delivers exceptional experiences. During our entire trip in Tanzania, the Melia hotel stood out as the highlight of our stay. As soon as we stepped inside, we felt instantly at home. The welcoming staff, breathtaking views, and well-equipped rooms with spectacular crater views made our stay truly memorable. The food was equally delightful, offering a rare taste of quality compared to the other hotels we visited (all the others were 5 star hotels as well, like the Four seasons which was disappointing). After our incredible experience at the Melia, we decided to visit the Four Seasons Serengeti. However, we found that the Melia exceeded our expectations in every aspect. It was a shame that we didn’t choose to stay at the Melia Serengeti instead. The Melia Ngorongoro is one of the few hotels in our long journey where the price truly justified the experience. If you’re planning a game drive, I highly recommend Alex as your guide. He was the best guide we had during our long stay in Kenya and Tanzania. Throughout our trip we did six different game drives with different guides and the best one we had was with him, his knowledge, manners, personality, and humor made the experience truly unforgettable. He ensured our safety and made us feel at ease throughout the adventure. A special shoutout to Emma, who went above and beyond to take care of us at all times. She was an amazing person who made sure we were well taken care of. When I started feeling unwell with a cold, she promptly called the doctor, who quickly provided me with some medicine. This level of service is not easily found, as we had to pay a hefty consultation fee at the Four Seasons for over-the-counter medicine for a common cold. In conclusion, I highly recommend staying at the Melia hotels during your visit to Tanzania, especially the Melia Ngorongoro. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.”

“From the very first step, you feel genuinely welcomed. Everything here is thoughtfully designed, stylish, and extremely comfortable. The attention to detail is outstanding. The view from the restaurant is absolutely stunning and makes every meal feel special. Dinner was a real highlight — the beef was the best I’ve ever had, perfectly prepared. Compliments to the chef. My only regret is that we stayed for just one night; this is truly a place worth slowing down and enjoying for longer.”

“Fui con mi pareja a disfrutar por primera vez de Tanzania y a celebrar el fin de año allí. Fue una experiencia absolutamente inolvidable y maravillosa. Queremos destacar la dedicación y profesionalidad de Emma, siempre cercana y pendiente de cada detalle, lo que hizo nuestra estancia aún más especial. Sin duda, repetiremos cuando volvamos a Tanzania. Las vistas son espectaculares e impresionantes, la comida exquisita y deliciosa de la mano del chef Marcos, y el ambiente fantástico, elegante y perfecto para terminar y comenzar el año de una manera inmejorable. Mención especial para Ally y Rosa, cuya atención durante los desayunos y cenas fue simplemente espectacular, siempre amables, atentas y con una sonrisa.”

“Breathtaking view. Excellent food. Staff is professional and caring. Decoration is refined. Too bad: the pool is not up to the hotel’s standards and some rooms have no storage for clothes.”