Luxury Hotel Lodge heated by Herschel
Background
Herschel Infrared heating was selected as the sustainable, high-performance heating solution for Ngorongoro Lodge, Meliá Collection, a luxury eco-lodge perched on the rim of Tanzania’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Crater. The lodge, part of The Leading Hotels of the World, underwent a complete renovation to align with Meliá’s sustainability values—emphasizing environmental preservation, energy efficiency, and cultural integration with the local Maasai community.
The design demanded a heating system that would provide consistent comfort across guest rooms, dining areas, and outdoor terraces—without compromising architectural aesthetics or obstructing panoramic views of the 600-meter-deep volcanic caldera.
The Challenge
Traditional convection heating systems are inefficient in high-altitude, open-plan, and well-insulated spaces due to heat stratification and energy loss. The lodge’s architecture—featuring floor-to-ceiling glazing, high ceilings, and minimal interior walls—required a solution that could deliver warmth directly to occupants while maintaining thermal efficiency.
Additionally, the hotel aimed to achieve 90% energy self-sufficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, necessitating a heating system compatible with renewable energy sources. The solution also needed to be discreet, space-saving, and low-maintenance, preserving floor space and uninterrupted views.
Herschel’s Solution
Herschel provided a complete, sustainable electric infrared heating system, installed in Summer 2023. This marked the first deployment of Herschel’s Comfort range panels in Africa—notably, the first units manufactured at Herschel’s UK production facility.
Herschel Comfort Infrared Panels
Installed in all 56 guest rooms and suites, these slim, ceiling-mounted panels deliver gentle, even radiant heat directly to people and surfaces—mimicking the sun’s natural warmth.
Their minimalist design blends seamlessly into the Maasai-inspired interiors, preserving aesthetics and maximizing space.
Contemporary heating solutions that deliver superior comfort
Herschel Comfort panels provide energy efficient, discreet heating and are highly versatile.
Elegantly discreet in appearance, these slim-line white panels offer a sleek and contemporary heating solution that ensures floor space is maximised whilst delivering superior comfort.
Herschel Summit Heaters
Deployed in the dining and lounge areas, these powerful panels ensure consistent comfort during cool mornings and evenings, maintaining an inviting atmosphere for guests.
MD2 Thermostats
Provide precise, energy-efficient control across all zones, optimizing performance and user experience.
Sustainability & Performance
The infrared system supports the lodge’s net-zero ambitions by:
- Operating at 90% self-sufficiency through integration with on-site solar power.
- Reducing energy waste by heating people and surfaces directly, not the air—ideal for high-ceilinged and intermittently used spaces.
- Supporting zero-emission heating, aligning with the lodge’s fossil-fuel-free operation.
- Complementing other eco-initiatives: 95% locally sourced materials, on-site water bottling, and preservation of Maasai heritage.
We are very pleased with them. They provide the correct temperature our guests look for, especially during this colder season, and we have not received any negative comments from our clients. Overall, we are very satisfied with the products.
Conclusion
The Ngorongoro Lodge exemplifies how luxury, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology can coexist in remote, ecologically sensitive environments. Herschel’s infrared heating delivers efficient, comfortable, and visually unobtrusive warmth, perfectly aligned with the lodge’s mission to offer transformative guest experiences while protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.