AKL - Value Studio

[I❤MICKEY]

Hello all.

Can someone tell me about an AKL Value Studio. Do these rooms ever have a savannah view? Is it possible to request a savannah view or is it luck of the draw? Are the rooms substantially smaller than the other studio rooms? What other "cons" are associated with these rooms?

It's about 60 points less to take a value over a savannah view. I really want my boys to experience the savannah so if the only way to guarantee it would be to go with the savannah view that's what I will do. But if I can get the savannah view while saving a substantial amount of points that is what I will do.

Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[akl-fan]

There are 10 value studios. 4 have SV, 4 have pool view and 2 have car park view. They are the best value rooms on property imo. You have a 40% chance of a SV for a lot less points. They are also located close to the Jambo lobby so you don't have miles to walk. We stayed in value rooms last year and were lucky to have a SV for all 12 days. It had a fabulous view over the sunset savannah. We have also stayed in standard villa with a carpark view at Kidani and enjoyed our trip just as much. There are viewing places all around the resort. The only downside to the value studio is that it is 3 feet shorter than a standard villa. We do not feel that the slightly smaller room is a problem at all, you will hardly notice the difference.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I have stayed in both value and standard rooms at Jambo House and never noticed a difference. The furniture and room arrangement are the same. Moreover, the value rooms have never seemed smaller to me. When booking, I always go for a value room if it is available.

As the previous poster mentioned, there are 10 value studios, all of which are located on the 5th floor. Six are located on the Ostrich Trail, two parking lot and four savannah, and the other four are located on the Giraffe Trail. Of the four savannah view rooms down the Ostrich Trail, rooms 5112 and 5114 afford better views because the other two rooms are at the end of the hallway, on the outskirts of the Sunset Savannah. Although the four on the Giraffe Trail face the pool, depending on the room, tree growth can obstruct the view.

Again, as previously mentioned, there are numerous viewing spots located throughout the resort. Also, there are many daily activities that allow guests to see and interact with the animals (e.g., flamingo feedings, descriptions of enrichment programs). If you are assigned one of the six non-savannah view rooms, you can still have an animal-rich experience at the lodge. However, if you are planning on spending more time in your room and, specifically, using your balcony for animal viewing, then I would suggest spending the extra points for a savannah view to ensure this experience.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You cannot request a view with this category. You get what you get. And you need to remember that the ten studios are part a two bedroom lockoff. I'm not sure that any are dedicated studios. So when someone books a two bedroom value villa, one studio gets taken out of the pot.

 

[Sandisw]

If you will be disappointed in not having a savannah view, then I would not book a value room as there are no guarantees.

 

[dzorn]

You cannot request a view with this category. You get what you get. And you need to remember that the ten studios are part a two bedroom lockoff. I'm not sure that any are dedicated studios. So when someone books a two bedroom value villa, one studio gets taken out of the pot.

I believe there are also 6 or 8 dedicated studios. You cannot request the view so if the is important to you I would go with a savannah. I would also find it cramped for a group of 4. I love the values, but we go with either a 1 or two bedroom.

Denise in MI

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Thank you all for your insight.

We are going for 8 nights. Maybe I can get a value room for 4 nights and a savannah view for 4 nights. That would still be a substantial savings. How difficult is it to do a split stay? Does your luggage have to go to a holding area between check-out/in?

Maybe I need to just splurge.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

It sounds like you should just use the points and go for the savannah view room. There is a 20% chance that you will get one of the two parking lot view rooms. If you were assigned to one of these two rooms, would your family be happy looking at the parking lot for half your stay and the savannah for the other half? The savannah view seems to be really important to you.

 

[LisaS]

There are 18 Value studios: 8 have a savanna view, 8 have a pool view and 2 have a parking lot view. You have an 11.11% chance of getting a parking lot view, 44.44% chance of a savanna view, 44.44% chance of getting a pool view. Take a look at this Jambo House map. The Value rooms are located along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails.

The rooms are 3 feet shorter, the balconies are not as deep. The Value studios do not have the little storage bench that most of the other AKV studios have so you will have less drawer storage space.

ETA: If you do a split stay you could be homeless from 11am until after 4pm. You would call for Bell Services to collect your bags when you are ready to leave your first room and then call for them to deliver them when you get into your new room. You are expected to tip them so factor that in as well.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

It sounds like you should just use the points and go for the savannah view room. There is a 20% chance that you will get one of the two parking lot view rooms. If you were assigned to one of these two rooms, would your family be happy looking at the parking lot for half your stay and the savannah for the other half? The savannah view seems to be really important to you.

You are right. The view is important to me. I want to see my boys expressions looking over the balcony. It will be magical. I just needed someone to give the push to make the decision I know is right for my family. thank you.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

You are right. The view is important to me. I want to see my boys expressions looking over the balcony. It will be magical. I just needed someone to give the push to make the decision I know is right for my family. thank you.

You are most welcome! Glad I was able to help

I am all about point conservation, but, sometimes, you just need to treat yourself and book the vacation that you really want.

 

[spiceycat]

lisa is the expert - but really like her map that showed where the value view were located.

LOVE value views - first they are cheaper in points - secondly you don't have to walk miles (like w/savannah view) - to get to the restuarants, gifts shop, pool or bus.

so value rooms definitely have pluses.

but they can be very hard to get.

remember you have years to use your points - you don't have to do everything now.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have stayed in both value and standard rooms at Jambo House and never noticed a difference. The furniture and room arrangement are the same. Moreover, the value rooms have never seemed smaller to me.

Although I agree that the value rooms aren't noticeably smaller, there was a difference in furniture arrangement, at least in the value studios I've been in. The location of the sofa and the bed were reversed, so that in the value studio, the bed was closer to the window-

This might be an issue only if you have a super-light sleeper and a pool view. Otherwise, I agree with everyone that value studios are a GREAT value-I'm on the waitlist for one now, they're pretty popular.

 

[Bell30012]

If you are booking for the 2nd week of February, then no you do not want a value studio... Because I do! If you are booking any other time, I have to say we love the value studios. We've had pool view and parking lot view.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you are booking for the 2nd week of February, then no you do not want a value studio... Because I do! If you are booking any other time, I have to say we love the value studios. We've had pool view and parking lot view.

I love the value studios too. I have 2 of them booked for a January stay!. I had 2 booked for a January stay this past year. The value studios are in the same general area, parking lot side of the lobby, and so, I can have friends sort of nearby,(we were only 2 doors down from each other) yet with privacy, for very few points in a great hotel!

 

[MarcyMouse]

There are 18 Value studios: 8 have a savanna view, 8 have a pool view and 2 have a parking lot view. You have an 11.11% chance of getting a parking lot view, 44.44% chance of a savanna view, 44.44% chance of getting a pool view. Take a look at this Jambo House map. The Value rooms are located along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails.

The rooms are 3 feet shorter, the balconies are not as deep. The Value studios do not have the little storage bench that most of the other AKV studios have so you will have less drawer storage space.

ETA: If you do a split stay you could be homeless from 11am until after 4pm. You would call for Bell Services to collect your bags when you are ready to leave your first room and then call for them to deliver them when you get into your new room. You are expected to tip them so factor that in as well.

So on that map, which studios are the values? Thanks for such helpful info! We are booked for a value studio next April.

 

[LisaS]

So on that map, which studios are the values? Thanks for such helpful info! We are booked for a value studio next April.

Scroll down to the bottom of the map. The Value rooms are located along the Giraffe and Ostrich trails, the hallways to the left and right of the front entrance.

 

[MarcyMouse]

Are they ALL the studios there then? I had thought someone said the value studios were only the lock-off ones, or are the both the dedicated and the lock-off?

 

[LisaS]

Are they ALL the studios there then? I had thought someone said the value studios were only the lock-off ones, or are the both the dedicated and the lock-off?

The 18 studios you see on the Giraffe and Ostrich trails are all Value studios. There are 10 lockoff Value studios and 8 dedicated Value studios.

 

[MarcyMouse]

Thanks! I'm so excited for our trip!