Also, as I understand it, I can book a value concierge room which gives me a less than stellar view but offers the benefit of a well-stocked lounge and help with dining ADRs. I see from various threads that a lot of members like these rooms. Am I correct about the view and honestly, why would someone stay at AKV and not have a view of the savannah? Isn't that view why we're there? Not trying to flame anyone, but I am confused. Thanks
The four booking levels at AKV are Value, Standard View, Savanna View and Concierge (not "Value Concierge"). As Carol stated, many members have booked a Concierge stay so that they could book the Sunrise Safari which is only available to AKL and AKV Concierge guests. Concierge guests also pay a lower price for the Wanyama (aka Sunset) Safari than do non-Concierge guests ($160/person instead of $210/person).
We did enjoy the continental breakfast, snacks, appetizers, desserts, juice, soda, wine and beer in the lounge and that did save us some money on our food budget that trip. The big downside is the amount of weight we both gained. Darn those white chocolate macadamia nut cookies!! On most
DVC stays we fix our own continental breakfast, buy our own snacks, juice, soda and wine and I must say I felt very pampered not having to order any groceries that trip and just walking into the lounge to have a snack or pour myself a cold glass of lemonade. It was also very nice just hanging out in the lounge, especially since we booked a studio. It was like having a large communal living room overlooking that magnificent AKL lobby.
But as you said, the view is not the best from those rooms. Three of the 2BR lockoffs face the Sunset Savanna, but only a small part of the savanna is visible from those rooms and you are so high up that the tree tops block a lot of the view. The other two 2BR lockoffs face the pool area. We've stayed at AKL several times and have had some wonderful views so we were willing to trade off the view this trip to experience the Sunset and Wanyama Safari. The view from the Wanyama Safari more than made up for the less than stellar savanna view we had from our Concierge room. Being just a few feet from those same animals we watch from the balcony was amazing.
Would I want to stay Concierge every time? No because I enjoy sitting out on the balcony watching the animals and the view from the Concierge rooms is just not as good as the view from lower floors and from further out along the horseshoe. But I think I would like to do it every so often as a special treat, if I'm ever lucky enough to be able to book it again!
