AKL Take A room with a view or Not?

[willstwins2]

Going in January (2-5) and just wondering what to do.

1. should I book a room with a view and pay the extra $50 a night
2. take a chance and hope to get a free up-grade

3. take the cheaper room and if I dont get a free upgrade pay the difference when I get to the hotel.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[pollyanna]

I simply loved sitting on the balcony watching the giraffs. My DH wasn't as enthralled as I ,after a few views. There are LOTS of balconies,some with nice rockers to sit and view.Personally, I likes the main viewing (center ) area the best.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by willstwins2
Going in January (2-5) and just wondering what to do.

1. should I book a room with a view and pay the extra $50 a night
2. take a chance and hope to get a free up-grade

3. take the cheaper room and if I dont get a free upgrade pay the difference when I get to the hotel.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Well, if the extra $50 a night is in your budget I would book the savanna view upfront. We just upgraded to the Concierge at the AKL. This place is great and I cannot put into the words the feeling that we get watching the zebra and wildebeast go by.

 

[Minybear]

I stayed at the AKL concierge and we had a terrific view of the animals. Its was like an attraction by itself. The only thing if $50 will break your checking account then just go for the regular standard view. You have to remember the view is nice but where are you for most of the day and possibly night? You would probuably be in the parks. You can always go out and look at the animals from the lookout point when you have time to do so. Also even though we loved the view we probuably saw the animals about 1-2 hrs or less a day. If you can afford the $50 go for the view.

What you also can do at check in is ask for an upgrade and see what happens. Don't count on it though. Its almost like a gamble. You may or may not be upgraded.

At least you have booked at AKL. Its a great hotel. I wish we were going back there. Lucky you.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Minybear
I stayed at the AKL concierge and we had a terrific view of the animals.

Minybear,

How was your AKL concierge experiance? We just upgraded to AKL concierge for our upcoming Feb trip and I am looking for as much info as possiable.

 

[Minybear]

Hi Tiffany

My suggestion is for you to request 5th floor and I am sorry I forgot which savanna view to request but its the most popular savanna.

It was great to have the staff make all of our PS's prior to our stay and then email us our itinerary. The staff at AKL was fantastic.

The food they served from Boma was great. We took advantage of the breakfasts and all the little snacks. It was great to get bottled water and soda while there.

While you are there will you be doing the Sunrise Safari? That is also worth taking.

Thanks
Minybear

 

[poohlover]

We just returned from a great trip at AKL, we had 3rd floor sunset savannah. I really enjoyed seeing the animals from the balcony, but the kids kept wanting to go to different areas to see different animals. Or just to see what animals were where. There are PLENTY of viewing areas.

I have to say that if we did it again, I think I would split our trip. Some days on a monorail hotel, and then some "down" days at AKL.

They offered many things that we never got to take advantage of as we were in the parks all day.

 

[jbethke]

I just returned from a 3 day trip to Disney and stayed at AKL.

We were very glad that we didn't spend the extra money for the view, since every time we went to the viewing areas there were NO animals to be seen.

We booked standard view, we were in two connecting rooms 5027 and 5029 the view was the front of the lodge but had a lot of trees in front so the view was not bad at all.

If you hit AK park early in the morning you can see all the animals you want there instead of having to pay extra at the hotel.

AKL is a beautiful hotel had a blast!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Minybear
Hi Tiffany
My suggestion is for you to request 5th floor and I am sorry I forgot which savanna view to request but its the most popular savanna.
It was great to have the staff make all of our PS's prior to our stay and then email us our itinerary. The staff at AKL was fantastic.
The food they served from Boma was great. We took advantage of the breakfasts and all the little snacks. It was great to get bottled water and soda while there.
While you are there will you be doing the Sunrise Safari? That is also worth taking.
Thanks
Minybear

Thanks for the reply Minybear. I had already made all of our P.S. because we have been booked from awhile. First at CSR then I upgraded us to AKL regular Savanna view room and now finally to concierge.

I spoke with "Jill" from the AKL Concierge yesterday and she booked us on the Sunrise Safari. Do you remember how much it is? I did not ask as we are going to do it regardless of the price but I would just like to budget for it. Jill seemed very nice and helpfull. She said that we bypass check-in and to just let the guard know that we are staying on the Concierge floor and that someone will be waiting for us. Wow!!! We are what I would call steak and potatoes people so I am alittle concerned about feeling out of place. I have a requst for th Arusha Savanna and a medical request or non-smoking due to my husbands asthma.

We usually wear shorts, sneakers, t-shirts and hats when we travel in the summer and in Feb we are planning on jeans, sweatshirts or sweaters, sneakers and baseball hats. Will we be looked down on? Is the dress more upscale?