Imagine your little ones waking up, padding over to the window in their pyjamas, and spotting a giraffe or a zebra grazing just beyond the glass. That’s not a dream sequence. That’s a very real morning at the Chessington Safari Hotel!
TL;DR
The Safari Hotel at Chessington World of Adventures Resort is a genuinely brilliant base for a family short break. You get themed rooms, a free cooked breakfast, Early Ride Time, free parking, and the chance to wake up overlooking real safari animals. Read on for everything you need to know before you book!
Staying on-site at Chessington World of Adventures Resort sounds indulgent, but it makes a lot of practical sense. Two park days, no stressful early morning drive, and a hotel that keeps the magic going long after the rides close. Here’s our complete guide to the Safari Hotel rooms!
What Are the Safari Hotel Rooms Actually Like?
Step through the lobby and you’re instantly transported into the heart of the African savannah. The theming is brilliant from the moment you arrive, with animal prints, jungle-inspired decor, and footprints trailing along the corridors to get the kids buzzing before they’ve even seen the room!
Room Types at a Glance
The Safari Hotel (and its connected neighbour, the Azteca Hotel) offers a range of family-friendly rooms to suit different budgets and group sizes:
| Room Type | Sleeps | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Themed Room | Up to 4 | Safari decor, double bed, bunk beds, separate kids’ area with own TV |
| Premium Themed Room | Up to 4 | Enhanced theming, may include Savannah Splash Pool access |
| Quadruple Room | Up to 5 | Pull-out bed beneath bunk beds, ideal for families of five |
The standard rooms are anything but standard! Every room has a separate children’s sleeping area with its own TV, bunk beds, and a safe for valuables. The grown-up side gets a large TV, mini-fridge, desk, air conditioning, blackout curtains, and tea and coffee facilities. Everything you need for a comfortable stay with little ones in tow.
The bathrooms are well stocked with towels and toiletries, so packing light is absolutely an option. Families with teenagers needn’t worry about space either; even older kids (reportedly up to 5ft 7!) have found the bunk beds perfectly comfortable!
The Animal Views
Here’s the detail that genuinely sets this hotel apart. Many rooms overlook the resort’s safari area, where you can spot giraffes and zebras roaming freely. It’s the kind of moment that sticks with kids long after the trip is over. Pro tip: when booking, request a room with a safari view rather than a car park view. It makes all the difference!
What’s Included When You Stay?
One of the biggest reasons families choose to stay on-site is the sheer number of extras bundled into the price. A short break at the Safari Hotel includes:
- Free cooked buffet breakfast for everyone in your booking (book your time slot in advance, it’s popular!)
- Early Ride Time from 9am to 10am, giving you a full hour in the theme park before the gates open to day visitors (available 20th March to 1st November 2026)
- Free car parking on site, saving around £7 per day compared to the main car parks
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- Theme Park and Zoo entry included when booking a short break package
That Early Ride Time is a genuine game-changer for families. Getting onto the big rides before the queues build up is brilliant, and it genuinely feels like you have the park to yourselves for that first hour. Bliss!
Worth knowing: Prices start from around £29 per person for off-peak mid-week stays, based on a family of four sharing a standard room. Weekend and school holiday dates cost more, so if you can be flexible, a Sunday to Thursday stay is typically the best value.
The Savannah Splash Pool: What Parents Need to Know
The Savannah Splash Pool is the resort’s immersive water play area, themed around an African savannah and absolutely perfect for little ones. There’s also an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and a children’s pool, all available from 7am to 9pm.
Here’s the important bit: pool access depends on your room type. Guests staying in premium rooms get complimentary access to the Savannah Splash Pool, while those in standard themed rooms may be charged an additional fee. Either way, you’ll need to pre-book a timeslot, which you can do via a link in your booking confirmation or pre-arrival email.
Don’t leave this until the last minute! Slots fill up quickly, especially during school holidays. Booking as soon as your confirmation arrives is the way to go.
Beyond the Rooms: Making the Most of Your Stay
The Safari Hotel is more than just a place to sleep! Here’s what else is on offer to keep the whole family entertained:
Dining
The Safari Bar and Grill (also known as the Zafari Bar and Grill) serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with garden views overlooking the zoo reserve. Breakfast is consistently praised by families in reviews, with a full buffet including hot options, cereals, fruit, and more. Book your breakfast slot in advance to avoid missing out on your preferred time.
Evening Entertainment
The ground floor of the hotel has an arcade and children’s entertainment in the evenings, which is perfect for winding the kids down after a big day in the park without them actually winding down at all!
Exploring the Zoo and Aquarium
One of the best things about staying on-site is easy access to the zoo and wildlife areas right on the doorstep. There are over 1,000 animals including giraffes, sea lions, and gorillas. Daily keeper talks and feeding sessions mean there’s plenty to explore beyond the theme park too! The SEA LIFE Aquarium is also on site and well worth a visit!
The Kids’ In-Room Extras
Keep an eye out for the little touches that make the rooms extra special for children: treats on pillows, a room safe with a fun code to crack, and themed decor with animal footprints and tiger prints on the walls and carpet. Some families also order a Safari Package to be set up in the room on arrival, which is a lovely surprise for little ones!
Our Top Tips for Booking the Safari Hotel
Before you hit that book button, here are our must-know tips to get the most out of your stay:
- Request a safari-view room when you book. Not all rooms overlook the animals, and waking up to giraffes is the whole point!
- Book mid-week if you can. Sunday to Thursday dates are significantly cheaper than Friday and Saturday stays.
- Pre-book your breakfast slot as soon as your confirmation arrives. Popular time slots disappear fast.
- Pre-book the Savannah Splash Pool at the same time. You’ll get a link in your confirmation email; don’t ignore it!
- Check what’s included with your room type before assuming pool access is free. Standard rooms may have an additional charge for the Savannah Splash Pool.
- Use Early Ride Time. That 9am to 10am window before the park opens to the public is genuinely worth setting an alarm for!
Ready to start planning? Check out Chessington World of Adventures Resort on Day Out With The Kids for attraction details, and head to our Chessington tickets page to explore the latest deals and availability.
A stay at the Safari Hotel is one of those trips that genuinely lives up to the hype. The rooms are fun, the perks are real, and waking up next to the wild? Absolutely priceless.