Do all standard rooms at AKL have balconies?

[Gagebre]

On another post someone said that some standard rooms have a brick wall, not a balcony. I know they face a parking lot but is this true?

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

I stayed at AKL in April and if memory serves me correctly, I believe most, if not all of the standard rooms were without a balcony. I can't be too sure, because I stayed in a Savannah room, but I think most rooms without the savannah or pool view were minus the balcony. I could be wrong though.

 

[gepetto]

The rooms on the way to the bus stop have a concrete wall. No balcony. I know there are a few standard rooms on the 5th floor with concrete walls (they overlook the roof and AC unit)

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Gagebre
On another post someone said that some standard rooms have a brick wall, not a balcony. I know they face a parking lot but is this true?

I believe the brick wall is in reference to the rooms that are along the walk way to the bus stop. It is still a "balcony" but the concerete makes up the balcony. We spent a total of 15 days at the AKL over two trips during 2001 and it appeared to us that every room does have a balcony.

 

[Tesabat]

All rooms at AKL have balconies regardless of view - including standard and pool view rooms.

There are some standard rooms that have a concrete wall on the balcony instead of an open balcony so that when you are seated on the balcony - you can't see out - you would have to stand up to see out.

Based on the exhaustive reading I've done in preparation for upcoming trip - many standard rooms have these types of balconies - not just near the bus stop. I'm not sure why...perhaps depending on location it is used as both a sound barrier and for safety. (Like roof views near a/c units). So - it "is" a balcony - it's just not a slatted, pretty balcony - it's a concrete balcony.

My TA also mentioned that as there are a small number of standard rooms, and as several of the standard rooms DO have these types of balconies - your chances of getting one are just as good as your chances of getting an upgrade. I was bummed to find this out too.

 

[Tinkbell]

Our balcony was a concrete one. However, we were on the Savanna and could see the animals when we stood up. Our room opened up to the lobby and it was awesome. Our room was right over guest services. I think the the reason for the concrete wall was because the airconditioning vents from guest services were below our room. I booked standard and I assume that the room was standard because no upgrade was mentioned. I loved the location of this room and being able to see the animals from the balcony was a plus. We were in room 4204. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Tinkbell
Our balcony was a concrete one. However, we were on the Savanna and could see the animals when we stood up. Our room opened up to the lobby and it was awesome. Our room was right over guest services. I think the the reason for the concrete wall was because the airconditioning vents from guest services were below our room. I booked standard and I assume that the room was standard because no upgrade was mentioned. I loved the location of this room and being able to see the animals from the balcony was a plus. We were in room 4204. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

Tinkbell,

What trail were you on? The "standard view" rooms are located on the Ostrich Trail and the Giraffe Trail facing the front of the resort. If you were not facing the front of the resort on one of these trails then you were upgraded.

The front desk person does not always tell you that you have been given a free upgrade. It is kind of a nice surprise when you open the door and realize that your balcony does not face the parking lot.

 

[YangYang]

We have two standard view rooms booked for the week of Thanksgiving. What do you think the chances are that we will be given an upgrade? I stayed there the week after July 4th and was given an upgrade. I couldn't bear to stay in one of the rooms that open on the bus stop! Mainly because I couldn't stand having to walk by our "balcony", all the way to the lobby and then all the way back down to my room!

 

[gepetto]

Resorts will be at/near capacity Thanksgiving week. I wouldn't count on an upgrade.

 

[Tinkbell]

Originally posted by Tiffany


Tinkbell,

What trail were you on? The "standard view" rooms are located on the Ostrich Trail and the Giraffe Trail facing the front of the resort. If you were not facing the front of the resort on one of these trails then you were upgraded.

I really don't know what trail it was on. If you look at a map and find guest services, we were right on top of them. I think that the savanna was the sunset savanna. My inital thoughts were that the room qualifies as a savnna but they probably can't really sell it as one. I'm sure that the people who paid for a savanna view would be less than thrilled about having to stand up to see the animals. If you look at a map and find guest services, we were right on top of them.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Tinkbell


I really don't know what trail it was on. If you look at a map and find guest services, we were right on top of them. I think that the savanna was the sunset savanna. My inital thoughts were that the room qualifies as a savnna but they probably can't really sell it as one. I'm sure that the people who paid for a savanna view would be less than thrilled about having to stand up to see the animals. If you look at a map and find guest services, we were right on top of them.

If I remember correctly the Guest Services area of the front desk is located towards the middle of the lobby so I am not sure what trail you were on. You were probaly in a room that I like to refer to an an inbetween view. You could see animals from your room so it is not technically a standard view but as you noted if you had paid for a savanna view room you would have been disappointed in your view and probaly complained.

Another person posted about reserving a standard view room but being able to see the pool area from their room so again it was not realy a standard view but if he had paid for the pool view he would not have been happy.

I say they are tweeners that the AKL uses to "upgrade" people who have standard views booked so that this way you cannot complain because you were suppossed to be looking at the parking lot anyway. I hope this makes sense.