Meliá Hotels International has confirmed plans to open its fourth hotel in Tanzania in early 2023, completing its safari circuit in the region. 

The latest property will open under the hotel group’s boutique brand, The Meliá Collection, marking the ninth hotel in the portfolio and a “significant step forward for the group’s sustainability campaign”. 

Ngorongoro Lodge, A Meliá Collection Hotel is part of a collection of lodges in the so-called ‘crater highlands’ in the Arusha region of northern Tanzania, 112 miles from the city of Arusha and 137 miles from Kilimanjaro Airport.

The Ngorongoro Crater is home to more than 20,000 herbivorous mammals and has the world’s largest concentration of major predators.

The property, formerly the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, will reopen following a major renovation with 28 rooms and 24 suites with views of the crater, two restaurants, a barbecue area, an infinity pool (pictured) and a spa. 

The renovation, in partnership with hotel owner Albwardy Investments, has been designed to protect the natural environment, including the indigenous flora and fauna, and maximise energy efficiency and waste management. 

The hotel will generate a “significant part” of its own electricity through mediums such as solar panels. The hotel will use traditional local fans instead of air-conditioning and there will also be a bottling plant which processes local water and avoids plastics and transportation.

Meliá said it worked closely with the local Maasai tribe and local artisans to ensure it was respecting the surrounding environment, culture and communities. The hotel aims to integrate and promote Masaai heritage and culture by offering jobs to the local Masaai tribespeople, featuring indigenous decorations throughout the hotel made by local craftsmen and artisans, and creating products that can be sold to generate additional community profits. 

The brand said Ngorongoro Lodge, A Meliá Collection Hotel completes its portfolio of hotels in Tanzania, joining Meliá Zanzibar, Meliá Serengeti Lodge and Gran Meliá Arusha.

The property has plans to form partnerships with philanthropic projects similar to those at Meliá Serengeti Lodge and Gran Meliá Arusha, such as the Dada Project or Sanaa, which support local female entrepreneurs and the disadvantaged, and Moshi-based NGO Born to Learn, which runs a school and clinic for local children and their families.

The hotel’s sustainability programme will be “aligned” with the corporate values of Meliá Hotels International and will be “offered to travellers with an interest in the destination as a key selling point”.