Mara Safari Club Question/Answer
 

Posted by LyndaS 11/21/07 - - Dana is the Mara Safari Club the one that was recently taken over by Fairmont?

I posted my answer under “Any comments on Flight” but thought I should start a separate thread for those that might be interested in the Mara Safari Club renovations/ some photos.

Author: DanaPhx
Date: 11/22/2007, 12:53 pm

Yes, the Mara Safari Club is now a Fairmont property. They recently, this past September, completed their renovation. I had never visited before this Sept so don't what it looked like before. The Executive Chef (Henry) is a friend of ours - he was at Kichwa Tembo for many years - and he gave us a complete tour - even their kitchen - which was very impressive! We toured one of the tents and he said there were new. The inside of the tent was beautiful - four poster beds with mozzie netting - color bed covers, comfy seating - writing table - and even a fridge! Nice to have chilled water in your room ). There is a separate area for the toilet and two showers, one inside and one outside - also a separate vanity area. Nice african decorations also. Nice seating area on the porch with two chairs and table - wonderful for having your coffee/drinks outside with the Mara River just below.

I think the it was Tent #15 we visited. It was a little walking distance from the tent to the camp main area. I understand that they do provide golf carts for transportation if you have trouble walking. The grounds are very well maintained with lots of large trees and flowering plants and benches around so you can sit if you like.

We ate lunch outside on their deck and it is adjacent to their swimming pool. They do have an inside dining room and I don't know if dinner has to be eaten inside. The dining room did have a more formal appeal, but I'm sure you don't have to 'dress' for dinner. Something I don't care to do...well I do dress for dinner, but not in formal attire.

The lounge/bar area to me has a more 'hotel' feel, but has really comfy sofas and chairs. High ceilings make the area look really large - but they do have some smaller intimate areas to sit and chat.

I have posted a few photos that I took while there on the Kodak site. Hope the link works?

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-bbpawj

Dana

Thanks Dana, the info and the pics are incredible! I think we will make that our next Mara stay....

Food for thought - I have seen a few of the properties that Fairmont has taken over - Mount Kenya Safari Club and Norfolk Hotel in particular, and I must say they have done an outstanding job on both.

I think I should write to them and get them to buy the Ark and the Milles des Collines - not that I have stayed at either, but they are two places I would like to go to (the latter for historic reasons) and the reviews are not that great in the trip reports.

Not that they would listen to me, but a thought planted could be a good thing!

Lynda -

The Ark is a Fairmont property.

Understand they were to refurbish The Ark, but not sure if they have. If not, when they may begin the work.

Thanks Sandi, I didn't realzie that! Looks like they took my sugestion before I even thought of it... :-)

Hopefully they will refurbish as I would like to spend somwtime there someday.