JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

I could write paragraphs on how incredible this entire trip was and still not capture the sentiment adequately! From start to finish this was the experience of a lifetime, mostly due to the JW. Every single moment from touchdown at the airstrip to taking back off again is so personalized and thoughtful that it's almost hard to believe. As a 2024 Marriott Titanium member and now Platinum member, I've stayed at Marriott's worldwide, and none will compare. You are greeted with smiles, pure hospitality, incredible food, and the physical property itself is fantastic - I took advantage of the pool, a massage at the spa, the bar, the outdoor shower, and enjoyed every second of the jaw dropping lodge itself. I cannot state effusively enough that every member of the staff was superb, but special kudos to: Hassan (Manager) - he went out of his way to check in on us throughout the stay that I almost forgot we weren't the only ones there he needed to connect with (and let me share a tearful goodbye and hug when we had to leave); Doc Vic (Bartender) - no bartender will ever compare!! He was such a bright breath of fresh air and had our cocktails down pat; Elias (Staff) - the embodiment of hospitality; Ivy (Spa) - do not skip a massage with her!!!); Diana (Staff) - just fabulous to interact with; Timothy (Housekeeping) - the personal notes every day were so fun to come home to; Patrick (Front desk) - answered every silly question I had with a smile. SPECIAL SPECIAL shoutout to FESTUS, our daily game driver. I felt as though we were friends by the time we left; he was so knowledgeable, so easy-natured, and clearly passionate about the animals. If you have the opportunity to visit, do not hesitate! I saw every animal I could have dreamed of, the lodge is a fantasy come true, and I haven't felt that relaxed, taken care of, and looked after at a Marriott before.

This was the best trip we have ever taken; anything I can say will not be enough. And the team at JW made it even more memorable. Special thanks to Lorna and Patrick! If you appreciate details, here’s a breakdown: 🌟 Pros: • Location: The lodge sits just outside the reserve, across a bridge. Each morning and evening, you’ll witness hippos—including babies—descending to the river below. Crocodiles are often visible right beneath you. • Experiences: Enjoy bush breakfasts, lunches, and sundowners. You can also have meals and snacks packed for full-day (10–12 hour) safari drives. The resort is all-inclusive. • Masai Village Visit: Bring cash and be ready to bargain—it’s part of the experience. Your local contact will even encourage it. • Camera Room: They provide a camera and have two full-time staff to assist with photography and editing. Bring your own SD card and allow time before departure to select and edit your best shots. (Tip: maybe don’t take 10,000 photos!) • Amenities: The bathroom and shower are top-notch—possibly better than other accommodations. The tent includes an outdoor jacuzzi and rivals luxury stays. • Laundry Service: Travel light! You get five laundered items per day, freeing up luggage space for souvenirs from the Masai village or lodge shop. • Communication: The team is just a WhatsApp message away. We got our guide’s number on Day 1 and coordinated everything seamlessly. • Staff: The team at JW is simply outstanding. ⚠️ Cons: • Crowded Sightings: Popular events like cheetah hunts or river crossings can attract 20+ vehicles. The animals seem unfazed, but it’s worth noting. • Tent Acoustics: Tents don’t have solid walls. We didn’t mind, but some guests found late-night conversations disruptive. It would help if the property clarified this upfront. • Store Prices: Check prices before buying (at JW) —some items may surprise you. • No TV: Not a downside for us, but worth mentioning for those who care. 💡 Tips: • River Crossings: These typically happen at Sand River and Mara River. We saw crocodiles at Mara River. • Calendar: Ask about all the events & options and spread them out. Ex: Bush breakfast (already planned ahead for multiple guests) • Travel dates: Based on our existing commitments and online recommendations and booked in August – not disappointed at all. July may have been better. • Arrival: Arrive on an early flight, so you can see animals on the way to the lodge and with enough time to settle in and then head out for a game drive (with a possible sundowner). You are paying $200 pp for that day. • Fees: The park fees cover 5 calendar days. That was fine with us, we used the last day for an outdoor lunch at the JW garden before heading to the airstrip. • Pace Yourself: To truly experience the Mara, ask your guide to slow down. You’ll spot more birds and soak in the surroundings. Fun fact: the hills where we saw a rhino smelled like basil!

My husband and I stayed at the JW Marriot in Masai Mara for our honeymoon and absolutely loved our time there – it was an incredible experience from start to finish. To start, the lodge and accommodations were absolutely breathtaking and impeccable. The “common areas” were beautifully decorated while still being warm and inviting. Our rooms were also gorgeous but so comfortable and was stocked with everything we could possibly need on our trip. This lodge really takes luxury to a new level. The game drives, which was what we were most looking forward to, were done spectacularly. Our guide, Paul Kasaine, was INCREDIBLE. He is so knowledgeable, funny and personable. We loved getting to know him during our 4 days of game drives and saw the big 5 by our second game drive. Paul knew the best spots to find all the animals and really prioritized what we wanted to see / what we had not seen a ton of. The safari vehicle was equipped with warm blankets, binoculars, a stocked refrigerator, power ports, and more. Lastly, the staff and service were top notch. Special shout outs to Paul Kasaine, Francis, Richard, Josiah, and Florence who made our stay truly unforgettable. The staff created a sense of community while also personalizing our experience to a tee. One of our favorite things to do was unwind at the end of the night at the bar and chat with Richard while he made us delicious and unique cocktails. We were so sad to leave and genuinely felt like we were leaving our friends at the end of our stay. 10/10 would recommend anyone thinking about doing a safari to come to the JW Marriot Masai Mara! One tip: if you are pre-paying for your game drives, you do NOT need to pay the park fees if you are only going to the airport. We ended up pre-paying for 5 days, assuming we needed one the morning we went to the airport but that was not the case, and getting a refund of those park fees was not possible.

We thought this would be a once-in-a-lifetime splurge — but after five unforgettable nights at JW Marriott Masai Mara, we’re already saving up to return. This is so much more than just a luxury hotel — it’s a deeply special, thoughtfully run lodge that gave us the greatest travel experience of our lives. Yes, the setting is spectacular: the lodge is seamlessly integrated into the landscape with sweeping views of the Mara, stunning design, and every amenity you could hope for. But what makes this place truly extraordinary is the staff. Every single person we encountered was warm, kind, attentive, and incredibly proactive. If there was a breeze during a meal, someone quietly brought over a blanket. If it rained, an umbrella or golf cart appeared before we could even ask. The hospitality here isn’t just five-star — it’s deeply heartfelt. If you're booking your stay, we HIGHLY recommend requesting Josiah Konana as your butler!!! He is truly what made this trip so special and so magical for us and made this trip truly feel like our honeymoon every single day — from surprise lunches in the garden to handwritten frosting messages on our dessert plates. He is incredibly thoughtful, meticulous, and intuitive, and made us feel so celebrated and cared for. We still talk about him constantly — and we truly consider him a friend for life. We also want to shout out our amazing game driver, Lorna. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, deeply passionate about the wildlife and the land, and made us feel safe, inspired, and excited for every single drive. She was down for adventure rain or shine, and always prioritized our comfort — from adjusting routes and blankets to customizing our daily drives. It meant so much to be guided by her. One unexpected perk we absolutely loved was the Canon camera program offered on-site. Not having to buy, rent, or lug a huge DSLR across the world was a game-changer. The hotel provided professional-grade cameras free of charge, and Moses on the photography team helped teach us how to use them, made setting adjustments, and even offered to help us edit our photos. It elevated our game drives and gave us the most incredible memories to take home — in both experience and images. If you're even considering staying here: do it!!! JW Marriott Masai Mara isn’t just the best hotel we’ve stayed at — it’s the most meaningful, joyful, and memorable travel experience we’ve ever had. We are forever grateful we had our honeymoon here!

Thank me later! This impeccable establishment is the standard for service, hospitality and luxury. 10 out 10 in every way! The level of care is impeccable. The attention to detail is magnificent. The presence of every single person is admirable. My one tip: be kind (all the time), be patient (especially on safari), be open (in all ways). Getting to know the staff enriched my experience beyond words. From the moment I touched ground at the JW Marriott and walked across the swinging bridge with Milton to my regular evening connects with Moses and Felix to my dinners with Stephen, was only matched with the in between moments with every face and every person who demonstrated the essence of care with their smiles and their unknown sacrifice. Leshan, my lodge angel, who personally curated all dining experiences and Nelson, who ensures every aspect of accommodations to Cheryl who welcomes you and provides a fond farewell with each arrival and departure, there is NOT a miss at this lodge. Thank you all! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’m heading home a better version of me because of each of you!

If you’re looking for the experience of a lifetime, one that will stay with you forever and truly mark your heart look no further! The JW Masai Mara was that place for my husband and me. It’s a trip we still talk about constantly. The memories we made, the incredible people we met, and the feeling of being so well cared for from the moment we landed to the moment we left — it’s unforgettable.(We stayed during the month of May) Our guide Muhammad was absolutely amazing. He led all of our game drives and went above and beyond to show us as much wildlife as possible, while also sharing fascinating facts about both the Masai culture and the animals. His passion and knowledge made every moment special. The entire staff made us feel like family. Every single person we interacted with was kind, warm, and genuinely welcoming. It’s rare to experience such consistent and heartfelt hospitality, and they absolutely nailed it. Going on a safari for our honeymoon had always been a dream of mine. My husband found this lodge, and I’m so grateful he did. This trip was not only our honeymoon but also our one-year wedding anniversary, and we were expecting a baby, such a meaningful time in our lives. The people at JW Masai Mara made it magical in every way. We stayed for five nights and honestly didn’t want to leave. And how could I forget the food? Absolutely spectacular! The variety, the freshness, and the quality were top-tier. Everything is grown in their garden, which made every meal taste even more special. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made our stay so memorable. You left me in tears (in the best way) as we departed. We are forever grateful.