Lovely hotel, very relaxing atmosphere. The prices in the bar aren't too bad and the shop has almost everything you'll need. Location is fantastic and you may get a visit from a giraffe or two if you stay on your balcony for a while. Very friendly staff and great location for touring the parks.

I'd read all the reviews and was prepared for the problems others have reported. We found that what everyone else reports as issues were what made this a little more special to us.

It's away from everything except AK, but there's a lot that's good about that. We were 5 minutes away from a grocery store, fast food, and other dining. Family decided to join us last minute and found some great deals on 192 within a couple of miles from the AKL. Traffic on 192 was a breeze and access to the AKL was so much easier than having to drive deep into the network of roads. AK was surprisingly our favorite park and the access was so easy. We drove to the other parks easily, too. There's also a feeling of exclusivity when you're at the very corner of the property.

I can see why others thought it was a dark place, but my reaction was relief. It felt more like a normal resort and less like I was part of the Disney cogwheel. I consider this a good thing where others might not.

The place is stunning. I'd watched the Samantha Brown Travel Channel a few times before and it didn't do the place justice. The amount of activities, dining, relaxation places, pool and enough to make you want to stay here. Throw in the animals outside and it's a surreal experience.

We used the annual passholders' rate and got a good deal with an upgrade to Savannah view.

I really don't have much to add to the other reviews.

This is an incredible hotel -- especially with the animals outside the rooms and near the observation areas. The décor and amenities are unbelievably amazing. I love that the pool has lots of shade. We enjoyed the on-site restaurants, Boma and Mara. We did not try Jiko.

However, as others have said -- for the price, the rooms are very small. And the halls seem very narrow when you are trying to maneuver luggage past a housekeeping carts. For the space, I'm not sure I'd ever be willing to pay the prices they want during peak or holiday seasons or stay in one of these rooms with four people. I also can't believe that a deluxe resort still does not have flat panel TV's.

We spent five nights at AKL the week after Thanksgiving. This is a low week for WDW so the rate was only $240. The Lodge is gorgeous, with an amazing lobby (decorated for Christmas when we were there) and areas for viewing the animals. The theming is amazing. The pool area is gorgeous, lots of nooks and crannies for sitting, and a pleasant pool bar. The landscaping is just lovely. There are two fire pits which make for relaxing sitting. Throughout the hotel there are areas where you can sit on a balcony and watch the animals.
We had a pool view room which was very pleasant. Savannah rooms were all booked but this room had a pretty view of trees and pool area. There are many opportunties to view the animals so we didn't feel deprived, but I would definteily avoid a parking lot view. The room itself is like every Holiday Inn you've ever stayed in, but with theming. It was a bit small, the bath was OK but definitely not luxury. Toiletries were minimal and not brand named. Bed was OK, ugly cheesy bedspreads. They charge $9.95 per day for hi-speed internet. This drives me nuts, I feel I am being nickel and dimed to death.
The housekeeping service was terrible. We had trouble getting clean glasses and coffee cups, even after calling more than once.. The sink was not clean when we arrived and was never cleaned. One sink did not drain properly, and the shower dripped. On our fourth day, we returned to our room at 4 PM after being out all day and the room had not been serviced. I called housekeeping, very upset because every time we had complained about something we had been assured it would be OK from then on. Ultimately they comped us half a night's rate.
Overall I think Disney is really wrong to call this a luxury hotel, because it just isn't. It is absolutely a lovely environment, and we totally enjoyed the animals, the theming, the pool area, the lobby. The Mara, a food court, is a food court - noisy, smells like greasy fries, screaming kids, etc. There is no place to get a quiet coffee or adult breakfast. At Jika, a so-called fine dining restaurant, food was good but service was rude and hurried, they were clearly eager to turn the tables quickly. The bars and restaurants serve only South African wines, and only African wines are sold in the convenience store - overpriced, and not that great.
If I had paid a high week price for this stay, I would have been foaming at the mouth over the housekeeping issues, the size of the room, the quality of the room. I have stayed at Port Orleans and at Riverside, and they are just as "magical" for the money. This is a Holiday Inn with an awesome lobby and setting. I'd go back, but only at this rate of $240 per night.