Is AKL Club Concierge worth the extra points?

[kim_d]

I am trying to decide for our September 2009 trip. DH isn't sold...he just thinks it is free food and drinks, but not worth the extra points. I know we can do the sunrise safari so that is a plus any other positives I can sell to my DH?

Also how is the food?

 

[CraftyMouse]

Keep in mind that these rooms are quite tough to get. There are only a handful of villas designated as "Concierge" and AKV members get first crack at them. If you own there you're in better shape, but still call right at the 11-month mark.

AK Concierge is very nice. The lounge offers continental breakfast, snacks during the day, appetizers in the evening and desserts/cordials/wines at night. You can also get sodas or bottled water whenever you'd like, in addition to the beverages they have out during the day (lemonade, Frunch (a fruit punch), etc.)

 

[kim_d]

We have points there, so I can call right at the 11 month mark...hopefully I can get it.

 

[shazen]

Totally worth it for us! It's really not that many additional points...

Other perks you didn't mention:
- Daily mousekeeping, including nightly turn-down
- You check in at the concierge desk in the lounge while sitting down in a comfy chair - no standing in line downstairs
- Concierge staff will make your ADRs and other reservations for you
- I think we had better toiletries, as well, or at least there were additional toiletries we had not received before (solar gel and something else - mouthwash maybe?); not a big perk, but I did notice it

And yes, having food and drinks available is a great perk. No need to by the expensive mugs at Mara - just take a few sodas/milks/beers back to your fridge. We also had breakfast in the lounge every morning, and the appetizers they serve at dinner were very tasty!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Totally worth it for us! It's really not that many additional points...

Other perks you didn't mention:
- Daily mousekeeping, including nightly turn-down
- You check in at the concierge desk in the lounge while sitting down in a comfy chair - no standing in line downstairs
- Concierge staff will make your ADRs and other reservations for you
- I think we had better toiletries, as well, or at least there were additional toiletries we had not received before (solar gel and something else - mouthwash maybe?); not a big perk, but I did notice it

And yes, having food and drinks available is a great perk. No need to by the expensive mugs at Mara - just take a few sodas/milks/beers back to your fridge. We also had breakfast in the lounge every morning, and the appetizers they serve at dinner were very tasty!

How exactly does the ADR perk work if you are staying Concierge? Do you call Concierge 6 months prior and they handle it all, or can they get you tables at the last minute just because you are staying concierge?

 

[shazen]

Usually the concierge staff will contact you some time before your trip and ask if you want them to book anything for you, including all your ADRs (although on our trip I had to contact them). I think their chances of getting a reservation are supposed to be the same as everyone else's, but I have heard stories of them working a little magic... No guarantees though!

 

[ead79]

How exactly does the ADR perk work if you are staying Concierge? Do you call Concierge 6 months prior and they handle it all, or can they get you tables at the last minute just because you are staying concierge?

I tend to contact them shortly before the 180 day mark so I have the best chance of getting what I want. They do have pull at their resort's restaurants (Jiko & Boma), so they can typically get you into those at the last minute. Sometimes they are able to get other things as well, but giving them as much advance notice as possible is always helpful.

 

[itsreally4mommy]

Wow, the daily mousekeeping is definitely a BIG PERK. I'm surprised it isn't mentioned more.

 

[tomandrobin]

We stayed this past April Concierge Level for 5 days. Besides the Safari (which is a must do) we did not think it was worth the extra point cost. There were several times the staff did not come thru and the "offerings" are not that great to offset the point cost. If daily housecleaning is big for you, then it will be worth the points. We don't like "strangres" in our room when we are not there, even if its housecleaning.

 

[Donald is #1]

I did AKV CL this past May and for me it was worth it. However, if you want a savanna view, then I would book SV instead. We had a savanna view CL room and I didn't think that the view was that great.

I really enjoyed the food that was offered in the lounge. However, if you want a hot breakfast, then CL probably wouldn't be worth it for you since the breakfast is a continetal breakfast. Also if you are at the parks from opening to closing without any time at the resort, I am not sure that the extra points for CL would be worth it for you.

 

[Granny]

Wow, the daily mousekeeping is definitely a BIG PERK. I'm surprised it isn't mentioned more.

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I think many DVC members here consider daily mousekeeping to be more of a detraction than a great thing. They certainly wouldn't consider it a perk, much less a BIG PERK.

Just different strokes for different folks. We are in the camp that daily mousekeeping would be more of a bother than a help.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I think many DVC members here consider daily mousekeeping to be more of a detraction than a great thing. They certainly wouldn't consider it a perk, much less a BIG PERK.

Just different strokes for different folks. We are in the camp that daily mousekeeping would be more of a bother than a help.

 

[Lynn5700]

I'm on a waitlist for concierge for May3-12...I'm praying we get it!!

I doubt it will happen though but you never know.

 

[kimberh]

We really enjoyed it. We did both Safari's. I have another reservation for next May, we will just do the Sunrise Safari and I am not a early morning riser. It is worth it! It was the highlight of our trip. You have to stay Concierge to do it. We did enjoy the food. We had one very long park day, that day the lounge did not benefit us. If, you are all day and night park people, then it will not be worth the extra points.

We did enjoy the daily mousekeeping, I had forgotten how nice it was. Our mousekeeper did a wonderful job. She was so nice. We only ate one meal a day out due to the lounge.

 

[ITGirl50]

We really enjoyed it. We did both Safari's.

How was the sunset safari? Was the food at Jiko worth the money? What kind of food was it? We are staying CL in July and were wondering if booking the sunset was worth the money.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

I'm on the waitlist for a few days in January for DBF's surprise 30th birthday trip....I sure hope it comes through....

 

[deltapilotwife]

Just a note on the Safari...we did a split visit in May and only stayed at AKV Concierge for 3 nights, mainly for the safari...and there were none during our visit. we had assumed they were every day but they werent. the morning was the day we checked in to AKV and the evening was the day we checked out and went home. had we known when they were scheduled we would have planned better. We were in the parks or ADRs during the food so while breakfast was nice, the rest of the food was lost on us.

 

[kimberh]

How was the sunset safari? Was the food at Jiko worth the money? What kind of food was it? We are staying CL in July and were wondering if booking the sunset was worth the money.

We paid $160.00 per person for the Safari and dinner. I can't remember everything that we had. It was served family style, with enough for everyone to have some of all that was served. I want to say we had 3 or 4 appetizers, 3 meats with all the trimmings, I want to say, we had beef, chicken and pork. If someone else remembers, please help me out. Then the deserts, Oh my goodness, were they all good, again I think there were 3 to share, there were 3 sets for the table. There were wine pairings, I don't drink. I gave them to others at the table. They were very Thankful. The chef came over to our table to see if all of us were fine. It was a wonderful meal. The author of 'Clifford, The Big Red Dog', was on our Safari, she was on her Honeymoon, It was nice to get to meet her. She said, "kids come for a tour and can't believe she knows Clifford."

To answer your question, Yes, we thought it was worth it. We spent a good while on the Savanna's. I hate to not be able to give you specifics'. I was on vacation, I went into vacation mode. It was a lot of food and very good.

 

[pyrxtc]

Usually the concierge staff will contact you some time before your trip and ask if you want them to book anything for you, including all your ADRs (although on our trip I had to contact them). I think their chances of getting a reservation are supposed to be the same as everyone else's, but I have heard stories of them working a little magic... No guarantees though!

I have never had them conctact me any of the times I've stayed there, as a paying guest or a DVC member.

It is definately worth ti to use the extra points. I love the food, the nightly turn-down, and the personal attention you get when you want it. Daily housekeeping isn't a big deal but it's nice. I would choose to stay concierge every time if It was always available.

 

[MJ6987]

Do the Concierge rooms all have a savannah view?