JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

We visited JW Marriott Masai Mara Nov 16-21,2025 and the hype really lived up to its reputation. As soon as we landed from the Keekorok airstrip our Guide and Driver Solomon welcomed us enthusiastically with snacks and drinks. As soon as we entered the resort grounds we were greeted by Emmanuel, Doris, Diana and Cheryl from the reception and felt like we were a family that came home. Our Villa 7 was amazing as was our Room attendant James. He went above and beyond by giving us 1 additional electric fan ,iron and ironing board as requested by my husband and made sure our villa was clean and tidy at all times. Benjamin our server was excellent. He was attentive and talked to us like family. He even fixed my sunglasses one evening. Uttam the executive Chef always checked in on us and always prepared for us what we wanted especially extra naan bread even when it wasn’t Indian night. Andrew the young Massai warrior gave us a garden tour , archery and spear throwing lessons and give us a cultural lessons. Dennis the one that serves us coffee early morning before doing the game drive and the two amazing Photo lab guys Felix and Eon who reviewed our photos patiently and told us funny stories about the five brothers (5 lions). To the security guards forgot their names the Masai warriors who spent time talking to us. Everybody feels so passionate about their work and makes the experience beyond amazing besides seeing the animals in their natural habitat. I highly recommend JW Marriott, the game drives were amazing both morning and evening. We would definitely come back again.

My wife and I stayed at the JW Marriott Masai Mara in early November. It was a FANTASTIC experience and the staff made it special. We were greeted at the airstrip (would recommend flying to the local airstrip instead of driving) with mimosas and snacks to start the trip. We took the 45 minute drive to the lodge with Liz and we saw tons of animals. It was just a preview of what was to come. We were welcomed with a Masai song and given a welcome drink while talking with the staff. Would highly recommend to take advantage of the Canon camera rental - $25 for the entire trip and they edit photos for you (shoutout to Moses), worth every penny! The “tent” was amazing and the room attendant, Nelson, did a great job with the room and communicating as needed. We were paired up with another couple for the first 1.5 days of our safari drives and they were great. We had Amos as our guide - he was the perfect guide to have as he truly cares about the animals and is very knowledgeable. We were very lucky to see everything we wanted, nature provided. The food at the lodge was top tier. We had Leshan as our server, very attentive and kind. Victor and Dennis were amazing at the bar - giving us local cocktails on top of the amazing ones on the menu. The rest of the staff were great as well. They surprised me on my birthday with a special room setup and helped my wife surprise me with the hot air balloon safari which was beautiful! Overall, very much worth the cost (whether on points or dollars). The lodge does a great job and made it an experience I will never forget.

Built on a litetal key ecological passageway, it prevented the wildabeast migration, a literal wonder of the world for the first time in our lifetime. Staff were literally instructed to chase the animals away.

As a business that is profit driven in the guise of responsible tourism and conservation that has no regard for an ancient and most significant migration path to build a hotel in the middle and disrupt this natural wonder. You and all who support this should hang your heads in shame. Your children and grandchildren should be adhamed at what youve done in the name of profits

I did not stay at the JW Marriott Masai Mara, but I was staying at a lodge close by and felt compelled to share my concerns based on what I personally saw and what was widely discussed among guides, rangers, and other visitors in the area. The location of this hotel is extremely troubling. Many people familiar with the Mara ecosystem pointed out that the property appears to sit along or near areas traditionally used by the wildebeest migration, routes that have existed for generations. Whether or not the developers dispute this, the impact on natural movement patterns is visibly noticeable, and the very idea of placing such a large, permanent structure along or adjacent to these ancient pathways is deeply unsettling. What raised even more concern were the reports and circulating videos suggesting that staff were seen directing or encouraging animals toward an altered or blocked-off route. While I cannot verify every detail, the fact that this kind of behaviour is even being alleged in a protected ecosystem is unacceptable. Any interference with wildlife and especially during migration goes against every principle of ethical tourism and responsible conservation. From what I observed nearby, and from conversations with people who work daily in the reserve, the presence of the lodge feels out of harmony with the surrounding environment. Rather than blending into the landscape, it gives the impression of a large, intrusive development in one of the most sensitive wildlife corridors on Earth. I cannot speak to the luxury, service, or comfort of the hotel itself. But I can say that, as someone who visits the Masai Mara often expecting respect for nature to be paramount, the ecological and ethical concerns surrounding this property are serious enough for me to give it 1 star. There are many lodges in the Mara that offer high standards while respecting the environment. I would recommend choosing one of those instead until the conservation and wildlife-impact issues surrounding this development are addressed transparently and responsibly.