I have AKL pool view booked..is that enough?

[LovinPooh]

I was surprised that the pool view wasnt that much more than the standard. I think around $200 total (9nites). The pool is gorgeous. I honestly cant wait to have a balcony. Stayign at the moderate resorts I would always feel 'caged' when the fam would want to go to hotel to relax for a bit. This way just have that balcony will be nice. And looking at all the activities it should keep my DD who cant sit stll happy when DH needs a rest lol. It looks like there is always something fun to do there.
Thank you so much for all the help. You all have made me feel so much better. I truly cant wait to stay here.

 

[scanne]

We had a pool view last October and previously (in 2001) had a savannah view. I really liked the pool view. It was relaxing and as a previous poster said, a short elevator ride down to get to Mara. Quick and easy.

I don't recall being that impressed with the savannah view - but it was 10+ years ago and I am not an animal person, so perhaps that is why.

I do like the AKL - it is a beautiful deluxe resort. However, I was very disappointed with the bus transportation and the only way I would stay there again would be if I rented a car.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[ppony]

Now as far as AKL being "no more than a moderate" I totally disagree.

I wouldn't even fathom putting them in the same category, even w/o a savannah view! Jeeze! I'll tell ya, we've stayed at AKL several times and own DVC there. So obviously we love it. But in a few months, we're staying DVC club level where you'll either get a savannah or pool view and you ahve no choice in which you get. Of course, we've had savannah views many times so we've "been there done that" which sin't the OPs situation, but I actually called and put a request to have a pool view because I don't mind it at all! It IS nice seeing animals from your room an it's just a fun way to stay> we've always had a savannah view, but if you'd really rather keep that $ to use in anotehr way do. It's NOT like a moderate. I've stayed at all mods except CS. Not even close. And don't get me wrong, I do like the moderates, but I prefer deluxes which is why we bought DVC in the first place.

Don't worry! the pool view is wonderful. Like a tropical oasis.

 

[Cappy81]

We have a pool view room booked next month, I was really on the fence about what type of room to book, in the end we decided to save the extra $.

 

[mariamouse]

I also have to disagree with the statement that AKL is no more than a moderate. The deluxe resorts offer amenities that moderates don't and I don't think you can really compare the two categories as they are so different. With that said, we've stayed in both pool view and savannah view rooms and while it is nice seeing animals from your room, we liked the pool view just as much and wouldn't hesitate to book that view again .

I agree! We have also done both and a part of me actually preferred the pool view to the savannah view since the view of the water was sort of a change of pace from the rest of the savannah views that surround the resort. Plus, I just think the pool area at the AKL is pretty gorgeous!

Stick with the pool view and put that $ you are saving toward great meals (Boma and Jiko-- yum!), souvenirs, etc. You will have a great time! The resort is so unique.

 

[danceintherain]

I struggled with the same decision a few years ago for my honeymoon. The only way we could afford to stay Deluxe was in a Pool View at AKL (with a sizable discount). Since, our only stay has been at a Moderate. We enjoyed BOTH stays about equally, but they were very different.
AKL: It was our honeymoon, so we had the potential to be in our room more than usual, which is why a Deluxe was important to us. Since we got a Pool View, it was ideally located halfway down the Zebra Trail, which gave us easy access to the lobby, the pool, and the restaurants. We were on the 4th floor, so we were only one flight of stairs down to the lobby if we didn't want to wait for an elevator.
This was our view:

I can see if seeing the animals was the predominant reason why you planned to stay at AKL, you would probably want the Savanna View, but not having one didn't bother us at all.
The main issue I had with AKL was that it was very contained, almost claustrophobic. DH and I enjoy leisurely walks (even after a day at Disney) and that wasn't an option at AKL. Maybe it's better now that there's a trail to Kidani.
The buses didn't bother us at all, but we didn't have anything to compare it to.

Our stay at CBR was equally lovely, but it was very different. I did prefer staying at AKL, but if our budget would only accommodate a moderate again, I would be equally as happy. We chose it, in part, because we were traveling with a 3 month old, and wanted to have places to explore, when we were back at the resort. We still planned on spending quite a bit of time in our room. As common with the moderates, our room was VERY far away from the food court and main pool area. We often got off the bus at the food court and walked back to our room in Barbados - a 5-10 minute walk depending on how fast we walked. I loved the landscape and the hammocks that dotted the beach area. One thing I noticed was that the room at CBR felt bigger than the rooms at AKL. We had king beds at both resorts. The decor (dark with large furniture) and layout of the rooms at AKL make them feel smaller, even though the square footage might be a little bigger. We also lucked into a corner room at CBR, which gave us an extra window. The food court at CBR had a lot more options than Mara at AKL, which was nice.

All said, the next time we stay at AKL, I want to have a savanna view. That is partially due to the fact that I want to try all the resorts once before going back. I think we would be perfectly happy in a pool view at AKL again if our budget and availability required it.

I would not expect an upgrade, but it depends on a lot of factors. I got online a few days before we left on our honeymoon and there was no availability for any higher category for the duration of our stay. It was a long stay during value season that encompassed Marathon Weekend, so there were probably only 1 or 2 nights that were at full capacity, but that make an upgrade, complimentary or otherwise, impossible, unless we wanted to switch rooms.
Book the room you'll be happy with that fits your budget. I don't think you'll regret staying at AKL in a pool view, but it depends on what you're expecting from your stay.

 

[aubriee]

I've been in a third floor Savanna view facing the Arusha Savanna and in a first floor pool view room. Honestly I preferred to the pool view room and that's what I have booked for our trip in 13 days. The savannas room was nice, but was a long way from the lobby, then across the lobby, then down to the buses. Our first floor pool view room was on the Giraffe Trail and just a few doors down from the Fitness center. We could walk out our door, take just a few steps, and walk out the door next to the gym and be right at the hot tub and pool in less than a minute. Of course all the restaurants are on that first floor and we could get over to Mara to refill our mugs in just a minute or two. As you are walking up the hill from the bus stop, about halfway up there are a couple of steps and a doorway that you can open with your room key. It's a shortcut back to those rooms on the Giraffe Trail, so you don't have to go all the way up to the lobby to go to your room. Just open that door and take the stairs down to the first floor and your room is really close to the bus stop. I'm hoping for a pool view room in that same area when we get there in a couple of weeks. If by chance we are offered an upgrade to a Savanna view, I'd have to ask where both rooms are located and if the Savanna is the Uzima or Sunset Savanna and the pool view is in the Giraffe Trail I'd probably turn it down. I really loved that pool view room we had and how close it was to the restaurants, pool, and buses. You can see the animals from so many locations a savanna view is just not that important to me. Now I would never book a standard room, because I don't want to be overlooking the parking lot and buses, but love the pool views.