Savannah View worth $500 more for the week?

[Ladyhawke10]

Honestly, I think it's a draw. I've had three different savannah views, and yes, it is amazing to see the animals right from your room (I love it the best at night, it just looks so peaceful and feels almost surreal to see the dark savannah outside your room with sleeping animals all around). However, I've had a pool view room, too and we loved that, too. We did not have a less wonderful stay because we were not viewing the animals straight from our room. In fact, I found the pool view quite beautiful as well, as the landscaping is very nice (we actually had booked a standard view and were upgraded).

I think I'd enjoy a stay at AKL in any category--the view category would not make or break the stay because there are plenty of viewing animals all around the resort and you don't lose the AKL magic in the pool view at all. Given, everyone is different and it might be really disappointing to not see the animals right from their room. I would say the price difference is not really worth it, but I would upgrade if I had a discount (like the AP rate). The resort is wonderful in which ever part of it you stay in, IMHO.

 

[patsal]

Absolutely worth it. I really don't see the point of staying at AKL if I didn't stay on the Savannah--that's the draw for my family. I couldn't even imagine telling the kids we could stay at AKL but couln't view the animals from our resort room.
JMHO, but I could barely drag my kids from teh room when we stayed.

 

[Selket]

I wondered the SAME thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, say I book standard (for this coming January) and I didn't get upgrade (mind you hopefully with AP rate), could I then ask for an AP upgrade and pay for it?

I'm just guessing if you are paying rack rate for the standard view you could upgrade the stay to savannah for rack rate when you check in but I'd think if you have a discount code (like the AP rate) that it wouldn't work - you could probably upgrade but you'd have to pay rack rate for it. Seems like the codes are limited and have to be booked in advance. Maybe if the code was still valid and was available there'd be a way to do it but that gets complicated!

 

[LisaS]

If you love animals and the $500 isn't going to break your budget, get the Savannah view room. We love AKL for lots of reasons, but the biggest reason is that we love watching the animals from our balcony. We've stayed there three times and it's still a thrill each time we step out on to the balcony and see giraffes striding by or zebras or ankole cattle grazing near our room. We like to watch the different groups of animals interacting with each other and so we spend a lot of time on that balcony! When I take in the view from the balcony, I feel like I'm staying in a lodge in Africa -- it's easy to forget you're still in Florida!

If your budget can't really stretch that far, then yes, there are many places around the resort to view the animals. Someone mentioned that you can see animals during breakfast -- that's actually not the case. None of the restaurants have a view of the animals. But you can go out to Arusha Rock, or check out the viewing lounges or just walk down the hotel corridors and check out the view from several large picture windows along the way. AKL is a wonderful place to stay and you'll still have a great time.

Just a word of caution: if you're considering booking a standard view room and taking a chance on paying for an upgrade once you get there, be aware that they do sell out of Savannah view rooms at times. So if you really want a Savannah view room, book it now. If you can only afford to stay in the Savannah view room for part of the stay, you can book it that way (as two reservations, so they will ask you for a first night's deposit on each reservation).

 

[estnh]

At our stay last year, we had a Savannah view, but were upgraded, and it didn't cost anything. It was nice, but no way worth $500.00. There are not that many animals, or at least there weren't when we were in our room. If you broke the $500 cost down to dollars per animal sighting, you would be probably be paying five bucks a giraffe!

I'd go with pool view without batting an eyelash!

 

[megrod74]

We've stayed both in pool view and savannah view, and I actually liked the pool view better because we got a complimentary upgrade for that. When we paid for savannah view I felt guilty for not sitting on the balcony staring at the animals. If you are the kind of people who sit on the balcony a lot, definitely get it. If not (like us) save the money. It was actually more fun (IMO) to talk to the guides on Arusha rock while viewing the animals.
just figure out what your vacation style is like and whether your budget can handle it.
AKL is great either way! It's my DH's favorite.

 

[Got Quattro?]

for your first visit to akl, yes

but i for one, if I go back, do not care to pay extra for savanah view. I will book standard and hope for the best.

in fact thats what we did last time and were upgraded free

 

[MickiMouth]

When we stayed at AKL it was in Aug. We had 2 rooms with a postcard discount and when we checked in we were very surprised to be upgraded from standard to savannah view. After having the view I don't think I'd want to stay without it but at the time I was more then willing to. Without a discount I'd rather stay in a mod, and save the money.

 

[racheltyler]

I had the same concerns about what view to book at AKL last August. I ended up compromising and going for the pool view. Wow, was I glad about this view there - it was so beautiful looking at the gorgeous pool. Water is so relaxing to look at and being able to watch my DD-5 at the pool was great while I had to stay in the room with my DS for his naps. We liked to leave the room and go looking for animals instead. And at night the pool area was lit up so beautifully with music piped in to listen to. With a nice cocktail from the lounge sitting on the balcony, listening to music, palm trees in front swaying, it was heavenly.....And in the end, we had that extra $ saved. And honestly, I've read so many reviews of people being disappointed with their savannah view and having to be moved. I don't think it's possible to be unhappy with any of the pool views - they're all the same. Good luck deciding what to do! Sharon

 

[Dznefreek]

Well, where else can you wake up seeing zebras, giraffe, ankole cattle, etc? IMHO, it's worth it.

In my opinion; NO! There is no guarantee you will see animals and if you really want to see them go to Arusha Rock area at 5:00 for feeding.

 

[LakeAriel]

I did not care for AKL, except the Savannah view. I didn't like the decor and the place is way too big. Very long walk to elevators, and never a lounge chair at the pool. The animals? They were absolutely awesome!!!!!!! You have to sit on the balcony and call the giraffes. One of them would actually meander over and stand regally staring at us as we spoke to it. This was last August so I'm sure he is still there. Boma is the other must do at AKL! We'll be dining there next Monday, but staying at the VWL.

 

[kimmar067]

Yes! Yes! Yes! At AKL view is everything. It is so relaxing to SLOWLY start your day with coffee on your own balcony, watching the animals eat their breakfast.

Besides, you get to see Deb's baby Ankole... !!

Actually, we just got back a few weeks ago. We were originally scheduled for a split stay [AKL/Ft W cabins] but once we set foot in our room, we switched our ressies to stay at AKL THE ENTIRE TIME!! We had a Deluxe Savannah room, with bunks - it was INCREDIBLE!! I thought that the novelty of seeing animals from our balcony would wear off by the 2nd or 3rd day - but, no way!!

 

[pixie08]

Thank you for everybody's helpful advice...ladytrampscamp&angel..those pics were AWESOME and actually helped me decide that I wasnted a savannah view...Thank You all so much

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

We stayed there for 10 days and enjoyed every minute! My wife and I and two kids (4 and 9) had a great time exploring the resort and just sittinig (literally) for hours watching the animals.

I'd suggest Arusha Savanna, Zebra trail, far from lobby...

Kevin

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

You're welcome pixie08. I hope your group has a wonderful time!

I'd sit up way later than I should have at night, on the balcony, and watch the animals that were still roaming around. It was so peaceful out there.