JW Marriott to Open First Luxury Safari Retreat in Kenya in 2023 By Brunno Braga
M
arriott International will soon enter the safari industry in Africa. The hotel brand announced that it is opening a JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge in Kenya. The luxury safari retreat will be located within the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife conservation and wilderness regions. According to Marriott, the lodge is expected to open its doors in 2023. In 2021, Kenya was recognized as the world’s leading safari destination, according to the World Travel Awards. It is the seventh year in a row that Kenya received the international accolade. Masai Mara Lodge will provide guests with access to stunning views, amazing landscapes and abundant wildlife— including the big five: lions, leopards, elephants, African buffalo and rhinoceroses. Travelers who visit the retreat between June and September will have the opportunity to observe the annual great wildebeest migration, when more than 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighboring Tanzania. The retreat will be filled with sophisticated, artful designs and architecture. Marriott hired Kristina Zanic to curate the luxurious atmosphere, creating harmony with local nature while drawing inspiration from the elements: earth, wind, fire and water. Guests will also be able to enjoy shared spaces, including a restaurant, bar/lounge, and spa. The hotel will also have a large outdoor terrace with fire pits that will play host to traditional Masai
dance performances in the evening. Visitors will also experience an immersive, holistic approach to wellness while being mindful of the environment and its impact on the land, Marriott said. This luxury safari retreat will have 20 private tents, including one presidential canvas-topped pavilion and two interconnecting canopied suites, ideal for families, each with a private terrace overlooking the river. “As a brand rooted in mindfulness, we cannot think of a more perfect retreat for the mind, body, and soul than the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya,” said Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Brand Leader, JW Marriott, Marriott International in a press release. He commented that JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will be a luxurious backdrop, offering guests once-in-a-lifetime memories as they interact with nature and wildlife in this part of Africa. “We are thrilled that the JW Marriott brand will be welcoming adventure travelers, including families, to this breathtaking part of the world.” “The signing of JW Masai Mara Lodge is a milestone in Marriott International’s growth in Africa as the company enters the luxury safari segment. JW Marriott encourages guests to be mindful and present, which perfectly lends itself to meaningful safari holidays,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. The safari lodge aims to employ up to 50 locals from the Masai community. https://travelnoire.com/jw-marriott-to-open-firstluxury-safari-retreat-in-kenya-in-2023
47 | ABA Publications | Africa TRAVEL | May 2022
