Reviews of Plantation Lodge
(92%) From 31 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Plantation Lodge
Plantation Lodge was our least favourite stop-off.
The setting is nice, the rooms are clean and the veranda is a good place for a gin & tonic at the end of a long day. However, the food was extremely disappointing and the dining area and main areas on the whole lack any atmosphere. I think they could do a lot more with this place.
Breathtaking scenery at Ngorongoro
Amazing lodge and amazing safaris at the Ngorongoro crater. The service was really nice.
Perhaps they could have organised a sandowner within their really beatiful lodge.
Great Experience Overall
Plantation Lodge was our first Stop and we were sure we could not better it. The Lodge itself was so picturesque with beautiful greenery all around. The staff were there to help whenever needed and the Lovely Renata who runs the place is a Gem.
Our guide Barakka drove us first to Lake Manyara where we got our first taste of a Safari. He was knowledgeable about all animals and made sure we were comfortable throughout. Within a few minutes of being in Lake Manyara we came across a giraffe who walked up to our jeep so gracefully we all stared in awe. What a beautiful experience!!
Ngorongoro Crater was even more interesting where animals are concerned. We saw lions sleeping under jeeps and so much more.
Returning to the Lodge after the Safari was always enjoyable, with a swim in the pool before dinner.
Great Rooms
The Plantation was a nice lodge to enjoy some time away from the tented camps. It is more packed than the other places which allows you to mingle with other guests and enjoy conversation with new people. We liked that part a lot. The grounds are secluded, safe and very beautiful. We didn't get time to enjoy the pool but it looked lovely. We each enjoyed a 60 minute massage which was unreal. It was a great end to our safari day, totally relaxing and very reasonable priced.
The lodge had wi-fi in the main bar/restaurant area which was nice to catch up with family and friends finally. The food was pretty good, not a la carte, which seems typical in these areas but still delicious.
We didn't feel as comfortable with the staff here but since it is a bigger lodge vs the intimate camp setting, I understand the difference. We liked the Plantation Lodge for the 2 nights we were there but we wouldn't have wanted to stay any longer.
Our room was secluded and gorgeous. Another large bathroom, with a huge hot shower. This place did not provide a blow dryer or laundry service.
We made friends with the resident cats here as well, always a treat!
Georgeous Lodge!
This place was truly spectacular yet tucked away and felt undiscovered. Wow! Food was excellent, staff very professional and the gardens were gorgeous.
They even upgraded our room! The location was perfect to see the Crater and Lake and then head out to another destination.
5 stars!
Great place to stay after long journey
Arrived tired after long journey from London and trip to Lake Manyara, so we especially appreciated being told we had been upgraded to a suite.
The welcome, accommodation, grounds, food and service were outstanding: more than worth the long bumpy access track from the main road. The Lodge greatly exceeded our expectations. It is well placed for access to Ngorogoro and Lake Manyara though obvously not as close as the larger lodges on the rim.
Great location but not so the service
Lovely location and good rooms but not the best service on the first night.
Our driver had a word and the service was better on the second night but overall the experience was not as good as Lemala Manyara.
Plantation Lodge review
The approach to Plantation Lodge is like driving down a small dirt road across country fields, had we not had every confidence in our guide, we would have wondered where he was taking us. Suddenly green trees and shrubs appear and turning a sharp left hand corner, we were confronted by high metal security gates. Driving through the gates and down a small driveway, opened up to a courtyard, where the jeep parked and the staff were awaiting us to take care of our luggage and escort us to the reception.
As we climbed the steps it was like we had suddenly entered a different world, something like Eden. There was beautifully coloured flowers, manicured lawns, everything was so clean and pristine. The booking in procedures went well so we were taken to our Lodges. They were absolutely suburb. A million miles away from the Tented Camp experience, you might say, we were transported back to a five star hotel.
Not everything went well - my wife and I had some food preferences which were generally taken care of but not all.
Our first evening's experience at dinner was not good, the staff were not very talkative and we were made to feel that we had done something wrong. We did not even get our booked morning call with tea/coffee the following morning, good job we are not people who "sleep-in".
We mentioned these problems to our guide who must have spoken to the Management as the next evening meal was very different, same staff, but a whole new attitude. Plantation Lodge is a beautiful place but more like staying at a posh hotel rather than the personal unique way the Tented Lodge treat you, but nevertheless, an excellent comparison between our stays.
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
