Reviews of Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection

“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.”

“Pasamos tres días y dos noches increíbles en el lodge de Meliá Ngorongoro. Desde la llegada nos recibieron con cantos locales muy hermosos, un detalle muy especial. El chef Marcos estuvo siempre atento a nuestros gustos y preparó comida deliciosa durante toda la estancia. Emma y Jacobo nos ayudaron a organizar todo para que fuera una experiencia muy relajada, desde el safari hasta un masaje en pareja. Todo el equipo del hotel fue amable, atento y muy profesional, y los camareros siempre serviciales. Las instalaciones son preciosas y la habitación espectacular, no nos faltó nada en ningún momento. Una experiencia maravillosa que recomendamos totalmente.”

“What can I even say? I was utterly overwhelmed by the beauty of this place — truly speechless from the moment I arrived. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Everything here feels unreal: the breathtaking surroundings, the quiet majesty of the landscape, the elegance of the lodge itself, and a level of service so deeply attentive, so thoughtful, so generous, that it is impossible not to feel moved by it. I genuinely believe that if there is one journey a person should make at least once in their lifetime, it is to Ngorongoro — and, without question, to experience it from this extraordinary place, where time seems to soften, slow down, and almost stand still. There is something sacred here. Something that goes beyond beauty. It is not only a hotel, it is a feeling, a memory, a pause from the world. Every single member of the team was exceptional. So gentle, so discreet, so sincerely caring. There was a rare kind of grace in the way everyone looked after us — always trying to do more, always trying to do better, always trying to make the experience even more beautiful than it already was. Nothing ever felt forced. Everything came from the heart. And that makes all the difference. A special mention must go to Chef Marco, who also went above and beyond to make every meal feel thoughtful and special. As a vegan, I felt so well taken care of, and so genuinely considered. He made such an effort to please, and I was absolutely delighted by the food throughout my stay. So whatever your diet may be, you will be in the very best hands here. And Alex, separately, deserves words of his own. Alex is one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever had the privilege of meeting. One of the purest souls, with one of the kindest hearts I have ever known. There is something truly rare about him — a quiet goodness, a sincerity, a light that cannot be taught or imitated. It is simply who he is. Thank you for everything, Alex. You already know it all, and perhaps that is why words will never feel quite enough. But still, thank you — for your kindness, your presence, your energy, and for leaving such a deep mark on my heart. I will never forget you 🤍 What touched me the most, beyond the spectacular environment and the sheer beauty of the hotel, was the way we were welcomed. The music. The dancing. The warmth. That moment will remain with me forever. It brought so much love and joy back into my heart — a heart that had not felt that kind of light for far too long. And for that alone, I could never thank you enough. César, Jacobo, Alex, Amos, and everyone else whose kindness shaped this unforgettable stay: you will remain in my heart forever. You left a mark on me that I will carry for the rest of my life. I will never forget your faces, your warmth, your energy, your generosity. I will carry Ngorongoro within me wherever I go. In truth, a part of my heart will remain here always. I am leaving with a heavy heart, deeply emotional at the thought of departing this paradise on earth. Some places are beautiful. Some places stay with you. And then there are places like this — places that change something within you. This was not simply a trip. It was a dream, fully lived. A dream that you made real. Thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for your kindness, your care, your excellence, your humanity. Thank you for turning a dream of mine into something even more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. Thank you for giving me memories I will treasure forever. I leave with tears in my eyes, immense gratitude in my soul, and your magic tucked safely inside my heart. I will carry you with me, always. With love, Ophélie (@ophelieuv”

“整个行程最喜欢的酒店。”

“Sheka, Neema, Mohammed, Gift, Munir,Rajab, Emma, Yosufu were excellent host. Special shout out to Chef Tara singh for accommodating our vegetarian food request and delighted us with delicious Indian food 😋. We enjoyed the view the amenities and specially the pampering by staff that we were missing it once we were back home. I really hope we visit again this property again.”

“Everything nice. The swing pool just a little small .”

“Stayed here for 2 nights and had the most magical time ever. i have severe food allergies to Dairy,Nuts,Wheat, Fish and Shellfish so I was very nervous to travel to a more remote destination and had a lot of anxiety around the food aspect. Sure enough I was greeted by Chef Marcos the head chef! He came out to speak to me and was such a great communicator. Made me feel very safe and reassured me he would cook a safe and delicious meals. Easy to say that he did, the food was absolutely incredible. Not too mention he was very personable and shared some crazy stories with us! I get the honor to say I made a great friend from this experience and likewise Amos another member of the staff was very friendly and genuinely hilarious. We were only there for a 2 night stay but for those 2 nights we had such a personal experience and everyone was no kind and nice stuff, left my family and I with some great memories to share and bring back home. If you are looking for THE place to stay at Ngorongoro Crater this is IT!!!”

“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”