WA International’s latest achievement at the Ngorongoro Lodge, A Meliá Collection in Tanzania, has garnered widespread acclaim and secured a Luxury Lifestyle Awards for Best Luxury Resort Interior Design in Tanzania 2024. Renowned for their ability to deliver luxury hospitality designs worldwide, WA International’s expertise shines through in this project, showcasing their dedication to innovation, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity. 

Located within the lush Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ngorongoro Lodge offers breathtaking views of the world’s largest caldera. The surrounding landscape is often referred to as Africa’s “Garden of Eden,” home to some of the highest densities of wildlife on the planet. For WA International, this setting was a beautiful source of inspiration; where they sought to create interiors that complemented the stunning natural beauty while also respecting the lodge’s heritage and history. 

The original lodge was built in the 1960s and had sadly been neglected for many years. It has now been masterfully transformed both internally and externally. WA International’s task was to bring ‘back the best’ of the old lodge by salvaging and recycling what they could, while simultaneously adding and designing new spaces that blend perfectly with the existing structure. 

WA International approached this project with their signature philosophy: staying true to the client’s vision, while crafting interiors that meet the highest international standards. Their attention to detail is apparent from the very first glance. The original vestibule on the front of the lodge was cleverly and skillfully dismantled, and its windows and wooden framework were relocated to an originally windowless entrance lobby façade. In place of the old vestibule, a new extended porte-cochère was designed. 

The reception lobby underwent a complete transformation. Back-of-house offices were relocated to ‘open up’ this space and allow lots of light from the tall new windows. The highlight of the lobby is a custom-designed, hand-tufted wall hanging that portrays the Maasai people in their vibrant red “shukas.” This art piece, positioned behind the new reception desk, adds a sense of authenticity and local culture to the space, while a large carpet inspired by the shape and colors of the Ngorongoro Crater adorns the floor. 

One of the most impressive aspects of WA International’s work is their ability to balance restoration with innovation. The impressive existing rich woods of the ceilings, columns, and floors of the ‘Great Room’ lobby lounge, all-day dining, and bar, were painstakingly and beautifully restored. The result is a stunning fusion of old and new, where the character of the original structure is preserved while introducing newly designed touches that elevate the overall aesthetic. 

The guestrooms, suites, and newly created suites all required considerable reworking. As the rooms were small, WA International completely stripped out and created an open plan with a fully glazed bathroom. This enhanced the feeling of more space and brought natural light into the bathroom. As the lodge is all about stunning views and being immersed in nature with these magnificent animals, WA International felt the furnishings needed to be elegantly simple. Light fresh colors and textures set the perfect backdrop for the weary yet exhilarated traveler to enjoy the views and their amazing photographs of the day.   

Sustainability was another cornerstone of this renovation. In a thoughtful nod to environmental consciousness, WA International salvaged many materials from the original lodge, including 60-year-old cushions that were repurposed into stylish, authentic pieces for the new interiors.  

WA International’s transformation of the Ngorongoro Lodge is a masterclass in luxury resort design, combining sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and interior elegance.  

To explore their award-winning projects and learn how WA International continues to shape the global hospitality landscape, visit their website at https://www.wa-international.com/.