AKR or Coco View?

[parrotheaddiver]

take the deal at AKR as Doc said not likely to see it again... the others have pointed out the differences and I have been to both but prefer CCV...you can do CCV some other time....have a great trip

 

[ReefHound]

Me and my gf are going to AKR March 21-28. We've reserved the "dock bungalow" (I'm guessing Hill Standard based on the rate quoted by our agent) but have asked to move up to Hill Superior. For those familiar with the rooms, why are the Key rooms pricier and more popular? It seems like most of the amenities are on the hill - dive shop, dining hall, front desk, bar, etc. Except the pool is on the Key. Are the room descriptions on the AKR website accurate? In that Superior has AC and mini-fridge, Standard does not. Is AC even necessary end of March?

Also the shore dive seems to be a fair hike to the entry then a long wade out. If you offer the captain a few bucks, will they let you bring an extra tank on the afternoon dive and drop you off on the reef?

 

[Lorenzoid]

Me and my gf are going to AKR March 21-28. We've reserved the "dock bungalow" (I'm guessing Hill Standard based on the rate quoted by our agent) but have asked to move up to Hill Superior. For those familiar with the rooms, why are the Key rooms pricier and more popular? It seems like most of the amenities are on the hill - dive shop, dining hall, front desk, bar, etc. Except the pool is on the Key. Are the room descriptions on the AKR website accurate? In that Superior has AC and mini-fridge, Standard does not. Is AC even necessary end of March?

Key rooms are pricier than Hill rooms for two reasons: (1) some people fear trudging up and down the stairs on the Hill; and (2) some people like the romantic idea of a bungalow on the water. As for the first, my wife and I are in good shape (though in our 40s-50s), and we hardly noticed that there were stairs. It was just a three-minute climb, they are very well-constructed stairs, like the deck on an upscale suburban home, and unless you have some sort of physical disability I see no reason to fear the stairs. As for the second, my wife and I have done the bungalow-on-pilings thing before, and it's just not a big deal for us. Keep in mind that some people who stay at AKR either don't dive at all or are not hard-core divers; they might like the idea of spending an afternoon at the pool. Did you read my review? See link in post #9 above.

Also the shore dive seems to be a fair hike to the entry then a long wade out. If you offer the captain a few bucks, will they let you bring an extra tank on the afternoon dive and drop you off on the reef?

Again, read my review, but there is a "ferry" that consists of a guy in a small motorboat that takes you on a 30-second journey between the Hill side and the Key side, and it runs 24 hours a day, back and forth, back and forth .... Once on the Key, yes, you do have to walk a few minutes to the far end of the Key where the dive shack is. During the hours it's open (daylight only), there is an attendant there. They have tanks. No, I suspect the captain won't drop you off at the shore dive, because the shore dive has no dock, and it's very shallow there. It's possible the staff might also be concerned about the limited surface interval--AKR seemed a bit paternalistic to me. If you want to dive dive dive, I suggest CocoView.

 

[ReefHound]

Isn't the dining room on the hill? Don't you have to trudge up and down steps either way?

I didn't mean to drop off at the shore dive entry but at the reef further out. But if no one has seen it done then it's probably not going to be done. I didn't realize they have tanks at the shore dive entry.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Dining room is on the Hill side but almost at the bottom. Few stairs.

 

[CajunDiva]

Yes, the steps are there either way, but the hill rooms just have MORE steps to navigate.

I don't recall seeing any drop-offs for the shore diving, although I think it's a really good idea. AKR is managed like a well-oiled machine, so I'm sure there are reasons for not doing it.

 

[LiquidDivingAdventure]

Captain, as I recall the AKR 2 for 1 deal now available (unless sold out) also waives a single supplement.

 

[ReefHound]

Dining room is on the Hill side but almost at the bottom. Few stairs.

My travel agent (Maduro) reserved us "dock" bungalows. She says these are at the dock level on the mainland and are typically not used except when the resort is full. They are not specifically listed on the website but rate is same as Hill Standard. Is anyone familiar with these? Nothing else is available the week we are going although we will likely upgrade to Hill Superior if one becomes available.

 

[CajunDiva]

I am a hormonal old woman - I would DIE without A/C

But I see you are in Houston, so I'm sure you have a good perspective of what heat is!

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

I was in Utila in April and was OK without an AC. November in Roatan should be not be so bad.