Serengeti, TanzaniaSerengeti National Park
Meliá Serengeti Lodge member of Meliá Collection
Terraced savannah lodge
Serengeti National Park Serengeti, Tanzania
Opened
2017
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Resort LocalOutside the door
The house
Meliá CollectionTerraced savannah lodge
The lodge runs entirely off the grid, stepping down the hillside to catch the savannah breeze above the river valley.
What it’s good at
Notable
Low-rise hillside pavilions follow natural slope contours, ventilated by prevailing savannah breezes.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
The Mbalageti River Valley unfolds below the hills, where migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra cross the savannah.
The rooms
Ceiling fans and natural breezes cool the rooms instead of air conditioning. Interiors use local stone and Maasai patterns.
The infinity pool
Bring a swimsuit.
Green tiles line the curved infinity pool, where sun loungers sit along the stone terrace edge above the savannah.
Bar
The Terrace
The open-air lounge beside the pool pours East African wines and regional fruit cocktails from a circular timber bar.
Boma Restaurant
Curved banquettes ring a sunken central fire pit, where Tanzanian dishes are served under the open night sky.
At the table
Woven pendant lamps light the open-sided dining pavilion, and breakfast tables look straight out across the savannah valley.
How it began
Architect Francois Theron set the lodge onto a natural hillside terrace, keeping the roofs well below the mountain ridge.
Serengeti
More like this
Mwiba Lodge
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andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge
“Riverfront safari showpiece”
Serengeti Pioneer Camp
“Vintage safari eyrie”
Dunia Camp by Asilia
“All-female safari bolthole”
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.