Pros & Cons: Kidani vs Jambo

[Jmar2009]

wanted to get opinions and experiences on kidani & jambo. I have 2 toddlers and thinking about a stay at akl next may.

Thank you!

 

[bobbiwoz]

What type Villa?
For studios, I like Jambo, the configuration, two sinks in dressing area, and convenience to Mara.

For one bedrooms, I prefer Kidani, because Jambo’s one bedroom has a jet tub/ shower combo that has a very wide lip, and is awkward for me. Also, Kidani has two full bathroom In the one bedroom.

Both resorts have zero entry pool with animal viewing at the pool. I think Jambo’s is a bit more extensive.

Most busses to parks stop at Kidani first, which is a consideration with two toddlers, I think.

 

[Jmar2009]

What type Villa?

I was going to try studio and if that wasn't available 1br.

 

[shoegal9]

We prefer Jambo for proximity to the restaurants. At Kidani you only have Sanaa, which is great, but I feel like Jambo is the main AK building... and Kidani is just a long long long stroll away. However, the one bedrooms at Kidani have two bathrooms. So, that's always a plus!

 

[Marionnette]

wanted to get opinions and experiences on kidani & jambo. I have 2 toddlers and thinking about a stay at akl next may.

Thank you!

AKL (not AKV) has no reopening date. That means that Jambo is pretty empty with only the DVC rooms open. There are no restaurants, quick service or gift shops available. The pool is open and the animals are on the savanna.

The pool at Kidani might be a little more kid-friendly. You at least have access to the small gift shop off of the lobby and Sana’a for food. I would lean toward staying at Kidani unless an announcement is made for an AKL reopening date.

 

[Jmar2009]

When I stated AKL I meant the villas. Was going to rent from a DVC owner.

Also I saw the comment above and read reviews elsewhere about the long walk on the Kidani side. Is it really that bad? Is the long walk from the room to lobby or from kidani to jambo?

 

[Marionnette]

When I stated AKL I meant the villas. Was going to rent from a DVC owner.

Also I saw the comment above and read reviews elsewhere about the long walk on the Kidani side. Is it really that bad? Is the long walk from the room to lobby or from kidani to jambo?

I know what you meant. I was pointing out that even though DVC is open at Jambo, everything else except the pool is closed. Reports are that Jambo is eerily desolate. And with no food options, there’s no popping in to the Mara while at the pool. There’s no taking an elevator down to the lobby to get Tylenol or a new swim diaper for the little one. It’s just empty there.

Kidani does have long walks to the lobby and bus stop if you’re at the far ends of the “necklace”. You can request “close to lobby” but everyone does. If you have a car, parking is underneath the hotel rooms with multiple elevator banks to the garage level. You can request “near elevator” and then just park near the elevator bank closest to your room.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If access to amenities matters, book Kidani.

 

[justadreamaway77]

We prefer Jambo for proximity to the restaurants. At Kidani you only have Sanaa, which is great, but I feel like Jambo is the main AK building... and Kidani is just a long long long stroll away. However, the one bedrooms at Kidani have two bathrooms. So, that's always a plus!

I'm always amazed that Kidani does not have a quick service of it's own....seems crazy to me!

 

[AdamsMum]

Also I saw the comment above and read reviews elsewhere about the long walk on the Kidani side. Is it really that bad? Is the long walk from the room to lobby or from kidani to jambo?

Yes the walk is very long if your room is at the end of the wings. I was placed end of the second section from furthest away, had some business to do by fax which kept getting messed up. My brother ended up driving me to the lobby to do the faxing. You can park under the building in an area closer to your room though, if you're driving. There are several banks of elevators. Also if you are on the pool side of the resort there's a short cut to get to the pool through the underground parking. Using your refillable mugs (if you have them) is also a challenge. You can only fill them at the gift shop which is next to the lobby.
All that said, if you get a room near the lobby it won't matter to you. I don't know about the walk from Kidani to Jambo. I never did that.

 

[shoegal9]

I know what you meant. I was pointing out that even though DVC is open at Jambo, everything else except the pool is closed. Reports are that Jambo is eerily desolate. And with no food options, there’s no popping in to the Mara while at the pool. There’s no taking an elevator down to the lobby to get Tylenol or a new swim diaper for the little one. It’s just empty there.

Kidani does have long walks to the lobby and bus stop if you’re at the far ends of the “necklace”. You can request “close to lobby” but everyone does. If you have a car, parking is underneath the hotel rooms with multiple elevator banks to the garage level. You can request “near elevator” and then just park near the elevator bank closest to your room.

My comment was assuming that Jambo House AKL is open by their trip next May. Right now, at this moment, I would probably pick Kidani. As far as resort amenities, I also prefer Jambo.

The walk from Kidani lobby to a Kidani villa can be VERY long depending on where you are at. It's just a really long hallway around the Savannah.
The walk from Kidani to Jambo is maybe 10 from the lobby. But if your Kidani villa is far from the lobby opposite the Jambo direction- that is quite the stroll.

 

[shoegal9]

I'm always amazed that Kidani does not have a quick service of it's own....seems crazy to me!

I guess they kinda do at the Maji pool bar- but it's not really somewhere you can go and sit down for a QS meal with toddlers.