Mara Serena Safari Lodge

The central atrium of the hotel is a stand-alone, modular unit, dome-like in its structure with rounded corners, swirling motifs and earthy tones. Flights of stairs lead to an expansive central lounge area, with the dining and bar area off to the side. Huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows frame the spectacular views over the Mara plains, with french doors leading out onto a wide, shady terrace and rock-rimmed swimming pool.

There are 74 domed shaped rooms, emulating traditional Maasai structures and arranged in two wings along the hillside. The rooms are relatively small, but each has uninterrupted views over the magnificent Maasai Mara from the balcony. The décor might not be everyone's cup of tea, with eccentric, 'Flintstone'-esque wall motifs in yellows, browns and reds, and loud, patterned materials, but it will certainly be a spot to remember, and you'll be spending most time out and about anyway.

With this lodge being so close to the thick of the Mara's action (particularly when the Great Wildebeest Migration is taking place from July-October), game drives are run twice-daily in 4x4 vehicles with pop-top roofs (not open-sided safari vehicles). Other memorable activities to work into your itinerary include bush dinners, hot air balloon rides over the plains, visits to a nearby Maasai cultural center, guided walks and dinners by starlight for the romantics among us.