AKV Concierge Dec 22-28, 2007 1 Bedroom...Lost in Translation

[lauriegs]

now when I booked our concierge one bedroom for this spring, I was told you couldn't request savannah view, so I didn't..but now I"m wondering if pool view is a better idea?? and should I call to request no HA room?

 

[rlduvall]

Liferbabe: I so appreciate your honest and detailed review. I have really been on the fence about even trying for a studio concierge. A nice view is really important to me - in fact, to the point that I didn't even go for a Savannah view because I don't want to look at the construction. I think the pool view is very nice (as long as I don't get the rooms that overlook the roof ) so I am pleased with a Standard room (I know, Jambo House only will have this view) . . . Then everyone starts talking up concierge and I got all confused again and do I really need the stress of trying to compete with 100s of others wanting the room. Food offerings just keep me committed to the hotel more. Actually, the only thing really tempting me was daily housekeeping. Nope, I believe I will just stay with my sweet little Standard room and save the 20 points.

 

[BroganMc]

I remember another man posting that his wife was so upset with their AKV room but they didnt want to move to SSR. I wish I could find that thread. Because I think I had the same uncontrollable reaction as his wife when i walked into our 1 bedroom.

I remember that thread. I take it returning to SSR after came as a treat for you.

Sorry you weren't happy. I can't say that the lack of a whirlpool tub would have bugged me a bit. Being someone the roll-in shower was designed for I find the tubs a giant dust-collecting pot. I'm in the process of taking mine out my house and putting in a roll-in shower instead. If you can't do steps you understand why the things are useless.

But on the bright side, your descriptions just reinforce my desire not to waste effort on an AKV concierge stay. All those dark colors and remoteness make me feel depressed. I like bright and sunny. (Even some of the growing foliage at SSR can make me feel closed in at times.)

 

[LisaS]

Liferbabe: I so appreciate your honest and detailed review. I have really been on the fence about even trying for a studio concierge. A nice view is really important to me - in fact, to the point that I didn't even go for a Savannah view because I don't want to look at the construction. I think the pool view is very nice (as long as I don't get the rooms that overlook the roof ) so I am pleased with a Standard room (I know, Jambo House only will have this view) . . . Then everyone starts talking up concierge and I got all confused again and do I really need the stress of trying to compete with 100s of others wanting the room. Food offerings just keep me committed to the hotel more. Actually, the only thing really tempting me was daily housekeeping. Nope, I believe I will just stay with my sweet little Standard room and save the 20 points.

For DH and me, the reason to stay Concierge is so that we can experience the Sunrise Safari. We're also going to do the Sunset Safari on that same trip since it's less expensive for concierge guests. I knew going in that even if we get a savanna view, it won't be a great savanna view. I've stayed at AKL a few times and had some amazing rooms so I'm willing to compromise on the view this time around in order to go on the safaris. The snacks in the lounge and the chocolates on the pillow will be nice but are not our primary motivation. On future trips we'll opt for a better view and just buy our own snacks provided we don't get too hooked on those safaris!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Is it likely that the studio portion of that unit is also HA, or do we just don't know?

I am sorry that the unit didn't have a whirlpool/tub for you. I thought it was one of the standard amenities of a DVC 1 bedroom.

Bobbi

 

[rlduvall]

For DH and me, the reason to stay Concierge is so that we can experience the Sunrise Safari. We're also going to do the Sunset Safari on that same trip since it's less expensive for concierge guests. I knew going in that even if we get a savanna view, it won't be a great savanna view. I've stayed at AKL a few times and had some amazing rooms so I'm willing to compromise on the view this time around in order to go on the safaris. The snacks in the lounge and the chocolates on the pillow will be nice but are not our primary motivation. On future trips we'll opt for a better view and just buy our own snacks provided we don't get too hooked on those safaris!

Oh great . . . I forgot about access to the Sunrise and Sunset Safari. Thanks alot LisaS.

 

[LIFERBABE]

now when I booked our concierge one bedroom for this spring, I was told you couldn't request savannah view, so I didn't..but now I"m wondering if pool view is a better idea?? and should I call to request no HA room?

That's basically what the CM was trying to tell me at check in, that there are no real savannah view rooms because the Concierge rooms are on the sides of the buildings not the ends. I thought she was mistaken, but maybe they do not consider the Trail rooms Savannah view
Anyhow, I was the second to check in that day (say her cross our name off the check in list and that didnt help me, my room was preassigned. It was 6202 and the lock off studio was 6201.

And I would request a room with a tub which had not even crossed my mind because I believe they built all the SSR units with tubs or both. I thought only the older DVC's had units without a tub.

Regardless, requests are not guaranteed and the odds of getting that room are 1 in 5 for 1 bedrooms, so I would be mentally prepared to get that room again if I booked a 1 bed Concierge. That's a little too high for me and I would not have booked a 1 bed knowing those odds.

I am an AKV owner and one day our name will be on the Founding Tapestry so I do not wish to bash AKV just share my thoughts with others that may have visions of grandeur like I did

 

[LisaS]

I just took a look at the floor plans for the concierge villas. Two of the 1BR units are laid out differently than most of the Jambo House 1BRs in a way that suggests they might be HA units. They are both savanna view villas. The interesting thing is that neither of them have a roll-in shower according to the floor plan, they both have tubs. In fact every 1BR and every studio on the 6th floor has a tub according to the floor plans. It looks like we'll need first-hand accounts of the concierge villas to know what they actually built rather than what the floor plans indicate.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I just took a look at the floor plans for the concierge villas. Two of the 1BR units are laid out differently than most of the Jambo House 1BRs in a way that suggests they might be HA units. They are both savanna view villas. The interesting thing is that neither of them have a roll-in shower according to the floor plan, they both have tubs. In fact every 1BR and every studio on the 6th floor has a tub according to the floor plans. It looks like we'll need first-hand accounts of the concierge villas to know what they actually built rather than what the floor plans indicate.

Thanks Lisa,
If you post the plans I will point out our unit.

The Concierge staff said that they didnt get to stay in the rooms prior to opening so I had to show her what I was talking about when I complained.

 

[Lauriebz]

My personal preference at AKL is to stay on the lowest possible floor, further out along the horseshoe but that's not an option with Jambo House since we're limited to the 5th and 6th floors.

All rooms in Jambo house are on floors 5 and 6? I was under the impression that some were on the 1-4 floors.

Thanks!

 

[LisaS]

All rooms in Jambo house are on floors 5 and 6? I was under the impression that some were on the 1-4 floors.

Thanks!

They converted the 5th and 6th floors to DVC. The 6th floor is all AKV Concierge (five 2BR lockoffs total). There are no DVC villas on any other floors of Jambo House.

 

[huey578]

What is the Founding Tapestry about?

That's basically what the CM was trying to tell me at check in, that there are no real savannah view rooms because the Concierge rooms are on the sides of the buildings not the ends. I thought she was mistaken, but maybe they do not consider the Trail rooms Savannah view
Anyhow, I was the second to check in that day (say her cross our name off the check in list and that didnt help me, my room was preassigned. It was 6202 and the lock off studio was 6201.

And I would request a room with a tub which had not even crossed my mind because I believe they built all the SSR units with tubs or both. I thought only the older DVC's had units without a tub.

Regardless, requests are not guaranteed and the odds of getting that room are 1 in 5 for 1 bedrooms, so I would be mentally prepared to get that room again if I booked a 1 bed Concierge. That's a little too high for me and I would not have booked a 1 bed knowing those odds.

I am an AKV owner and one day our name will be on the Founding Tapestry so I do not wish to bash AKV just share my thoughts with others that may have visions of grandeur like I did

 

[LisaS]

Thanks Lisa,
If you post the plans I will point out our unit.

Here are the floor plans for the three savanna view 2BR lockoffs.
Based on your room number, I think you were in the left most 1BR in this floor plan.
It looks like the 1BR next door has the same layout.
I apologize for how wide this image is but I wanted it to be large enough to see the details.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thanks Lisa,

I think you are correct that our unit is the left most unit. I am noticing that some of the 1 beds have dual sinks and some have 1. Ours only had 1 sink. Also, our toilet and shower were reverse. The toilet was on the right and the shower on the left.

I am not sure what the studio had next to us, but I know for a fact that the 1 bedroom next to ours had a tub because I went on the safari with the ladies that were staying in that unit. I also went in that unit to deliver AKV tree #2.

It was dark in their room so I didnt get a good look, but it was opposite ours just like on the plan. She did complain of her unit being small also. and they were 2 A and 1 C.

The shower took up the entire length of the tub space allotted so maybe it was a last minute change to meet regulatory demands. I also thought it strange that the decorative tiles in the shower area were not used. When we stayed in the studio, we had the pretty sunset tiling in the bath.

 

[ITGirl50]

Thank you so much for this detailed report. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. Now I know what to request when we stay next year.

We got hooked on concierge level when we stayed at WL at Christmas this year and were excited that DVC had that option. I guess if I go into it expecting less of a view and a smaller room, I won't be disappointed when I get it. My DH and I were trying to decide if we wanted a 1-bedroom savannah view or studio concierge. I decided studio concierge...it's less points than the 1-bedroom AND I get daily mousekeeping and free food.

I agree with making them all studios...then there would be more rooms and people wouldn't be so disappointed with the number of points they are spending on smaller rooms.

 

[TiggerMan2007]

Below is the description of a 1 BR at AKV right off the DVC website. Notice the square footage for Jambo House as compared to New Costruction (Kidani Village)

One-Bedroom Vacation Home

Value Rooms sleep up to four, all others sleep up to five
Master bedroom suite with king-size bed
Master bathroom with whirlpool tub (additional bathroom in living area of One-Bedrooms in Kidani Village only) Queen-size sofa bed in living room
Sleeper chair in living room (except in Value Accommodations)
Flat-panel TV and DVD player in living room, and flat-panel TV in master bedroom
Full kitchen includes: coffee maker, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, microwave, toaster, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and more
Laundry area contains stacked washer and dryer
Private balcony
629-710 sq. ft. in Jambo House
807 sq. ft. in Kidani Village

Floor plans and furnishings are subject to change. Actual room size may vary.

 

[snowbunny]

Liferbabe, excellent report and total honesty is much appreciated.

Regarding the darkness, do I understand that the 1BR on 6th was appreciably darker than the studio you stayed in previously (not sure what floor that was)? Mainly because of the thatch overhang?

We're staying non-concierge 1BR in July. At that time of year, with the extreme heat, a degree of darkness (not total darkness!) won't bother me. I would not like it in the winter at all.

If I understand the maps, most non-concierge is on the 5th floor (?)

 

[LisaS]

If I understand the maps, most non-concierge is on the 5th floor (?)

The 6th floor is all concierge. The 5th floor is all non-concierge.

 

[robinb]

I think you are correct that our unit is the left most unit. I am noticing that some of the 1 beds have dual sinks and some have 1. Ours only had 1 sink. Also, our toilet and shower were reverse. The toilet was on the right and the shower on the left.

We were at AKV Concierge at the same time . You were next to the door with the Christmas decorations, right? I think I saw your family as you checked out . We checked into ALV-C on 12/26 and out on 12/31 and we were in the last studio on the right on Lisa's plan.

Which safari did you go on? We were on the Thursday 12/27 one and it was great .

I took pictures of our room and view, but most of them are on my DH's laptop. He (and the laptop) will be home late tomorrow night so I'll be able to post them on Friday.

I was not unhappy with AKV Concierge. I expected the darkened room and furnishings as well as the lack of storage. Of course, a HCA room will have even less storage room than a non-HCA room because the need to remove as many barriers to someone in a wheelchair as possible. No hot tub would really disappoint me as that is one of the major perks of a 1BR IMO. Do you think they could have retained the hot tub and still offered a roll in shower? Does anyone know if the 1BRs at other DVC resorts also lack the hot tub?

Anyway ... the only thing I didn't like about AKV-C was the "view" of the savannah. It was really, really lame. We saw only a few animals most of them at dusk and after dark. There were hardly any during the day. Perhaps a pool view would have been more interesting, but the quiet of the savannah was still relaxing.

Here is a picture of at least one animal we saw:

 

[DBorges]

Having been in the club level prior to dvc at AKL I just wanted to know what trail was the room on ??

I have a 2 bdr club level for april 18- 27 of 2008.

I am having a hard time understanding this as i know what rooms were turned into dvc rooms

We were at AKV Concierge at the same time . You were next to the door with the Christmas decorations, right? I think I saw your family as you checked out . We checked into ALV-C on 12/26 and out on 12/31 and we were in the last studio on the right on Lisa's plan.

Which safari did you go on? We were on the Thursday 12/27 one and it was great .

I took pictures of our room and view, but most of them are on my DH's laptop. He (and the laptop) will be home late tomorrow night so I'll be able to post them on Friday.

I was not unhappy with AKV Concierge. I expected the darkened room and furnishings as well as the lack of storage. Of course, a HCA room will have even less storage room than a non-HCA room because the need to remove as many barriers to someone in a wheelchair as possible. No hot tub would really disappoint me as that is one of the major perks of a 1BR IMO. Do you think they could have retained the hot tub and still offered a roll in shower? Does anyone know if the 1BRs at other DVC resorts also lack the hot tub?

Anyway ... the only thing I didn't like about AKV-C was the "view" of the savannah. It was really, really lame. We saw only a few animals most of them at dusk and after dark. There were hardly any during the day. Perhaps a pool view would have been more interesting, but the quiet of the savannah was still relaxing.

Here is a picture of at least one animal we saw: