This is my first ever trip report, so please be gentle with me.
Background
The trip was booked as an ex-AMS return including hotel via the BA website. It was fortuitous that BWI offers a 3-class only service allowing me to ‘upgrade’ to F on one leg only while still benefited from the ‘free’ hotel from BA. The hotel was effectively free because the BA site was pricing the flights alone as more expensive as when a 5* hotel was included.
I will split the TR into smaller sections.
MadProfessor
Jul 13, 12, 8:30 am
This is the first time I’ve used LCY straight from work. It took me less than 25 minutes door-to-door from Waterloo to LCY and cost me £2.60. This has got to be one of the best airport transfers I’ve ever experienced. Having just hand luggage and holding a mobile BP meant I was office to gate in 45 minutes.
This was despite the best efforts of the security folk. It took 5 of them 15 minutes to clear 3 passengers.
Despite some other posts on FT claiming the contrary they were handing out free plastic toiletry bags. As ever they’re fairly rubbish and I managed to put my big fat paws through two of them before I crammed my ‘manfume’ into it successfully.
LCY was very busy this being a Friday around 5pm. Several folk literally ran onto the plane as they were closing the door and some economy passengers’ hand luggage had to be stowed in the hold. Thanks to these latecomers we pushed back 5 minutes late, but due to the generous scheduling and a short 45-minute flight time we arrived into AMS about 10 minutes early.
Our E70 was fairly full with 65 passengers but with only 3 in CE. Our purser, Matt, made short shrift of serving us our meal. It was a largely edible chicken Caesar salad and a cheese course. I opted for my usual G&T and made the same mistake that I always do on BA; pouring the entire gin bottle into the tiny glass making it far too strong. Will I ever learn?
Sitting in 1A allowed me off the plane first and with only hand luggage I was out of the terminal in 15 minutes. I always find the Dutch border folk to be friendly and welcoming, something the British and Americans could learn from.
All in all, a pleasant but brief flight. I have no idea why anybody would pay for CE on this segment unless it came packaged with an onward journey in CW.
MadProfessor
Jul 13, 12, 8:34 am
Having been to Amsterdam countless times before and with an early flight the following morning I wanted an airport hotel. I dread airport hotels. They generally over-charge and under-deliver, and I find this most frustrating from the chains who should be aiming for consistent quality across their brand. It was therefore particularly wonderful and unexpected to experience CitizenM. Admittedly I was expecting little but they really delivered.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, they offer high-spec, ‘luxury’ (read ‘fashionable’) rooms which are somewhere between a regular hotel room and the kind of pod that Yotel offers.
The toilet and shower are ostensibly in the main room with full height sliding doors to cordon off the toilet or shower when you need them. There is a ‘moodpad’ (read ‘glorified remote control’) which controls the window shades, blackout blinds, TV, lights, and moods. I could not for the life of me discern any difference between the various moods on offer: romance, party, relaxing, etc. I’m either blind or the changes are too subtle for my eyes.
I wouldn’t stay there for an extended stay, and it would be too cramped for anything other than sleeping for a couple. Besides, if you hadn’t already lost the romance the toilet situation would end it faster than you can say poo. But I really liked this place.
Things I loved about the room and hotel:
- The price. At £45 a night at the airport this was cheap.
- The bed was incredibly comfortable and large
- The TV channels were fairly rubbish but they offer 50 free movies on demand including a bit of blue for the dads. I wonder whether this is an Amsterdam specific offering.
- Free wifi. Very easy to access and fairly quick.
- Quick self-service check-in/out
- The blackout blinds were really appreciated in these summer evenings when I wanted to turn in early.
MadProfessor
Jul 13, 12, 8:37 am
Thanks to advice from BahrainLad I managed to time things perfectly in the morning for my 07:20 flight to LHR. It took me 30 minutes from the hotel to clear passport control (10 minutes), walk to the D gates (10 minutes) and get through fast track security (10 minutes). The queue for the regular security line was very long as two BA services were leaving at roughly the same time.
As has been noted elsewhere (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1356551-ams-out.html), the BA flights all seem to come into the pier end of the D concourse meaning that if you want to do a cheeky turnaround on the same plane (for you ex-AMS thrift lovers like me) you wouldn’t need to do security in between flights. This is a huge advantage for AMS over other ex-EU starting points like CDG.
Despite a mad scramble, the BA staff did a good job of enforcing priority boarding. The plane was rammed and again there didn’t seem to be enough overhead space on the A320 for the hand luggage in economy. CE was almost full as well with two spare seats on the 9 rows.
Again, I think largely because of the high load, we pushed back 10 minutes late but managed to land 5 minutes early.
The service on the flight was terribly slow which meant we had a very short time in which to finish our breakfast on this short hop to LHR. The breakfast was disgusting except the cherry tomatoes. The tea had things floating in it and the air vent dripped on me continually like some form of Chinese water torture (OK, a bit of hyperbole).
I’m not a morning person and altogether this was not a pleasant experience.
MadProfessor
Jul 13, 12, 8:41 am
Again thanks to some very helpful comments (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1361259-quickest-way-ccr-transfer.html) on FT, the transfer to the CCR was very smooth. There were no queues at fast track passport control and a very short queue for security. The only glitch was when we left the aircraft we got trapped in the air bridge because nobody had opened the terminal end.
On approaching the CCR I was met with a rather flustered and surly door dragon. I presented him with my mobile BP which while inspecting he repeatedly grunted ‘Are you first?’ Surely once is fine. A polite tone is appropriate. And seeing as I’ve given you my BP why not just take a second to read it? I do appreciate that there must be a few people trying their luck (Floungers) but he made me feel very unwelcome.
There are countless photos of the CCR room so I didn’t think you’d want many more. My wife went mental at me when she found out this is what I'd ordered on my first trip to the CCR:
This was my first time in the CCR and I was very excited. Perhaps too excited because my expectations were raised quite high and were consequently easily dashed.
The CCR was fairly full but there appeared to be only one waiter for the whole place including the terraces. The other staff seemed to be working solely on the dining room or behind the bar. Consequently I waited about 30 minutes to be finally served despite getting the waiter’s attention twice (“I’ll be with you in one minute”) and being told by the bar staff that the waiter will come to my table after approaching the bar for service.
My food and drink arrived fairly quickly once my order was actually taken and the tea and fresh fruit were excellent. However, there’s not much that can go wrong with such a simple order. I’m not sure about the brand of champagne that is on offer but it was fine but nothing special.
In contrast to Galleries, I found the CCR very comfortable and relaxing but the service was lacking. For example, I wanted to find out whether my flight would be NF or OF (yes I’m that impatient) but there was nobody on either the Concierge Desk or at Guest Services.
During my two hour stopover in the lounge I had my first spa treatment. Every time I have travelled in CW I have been unable to get an appointment so this time I used the power of DYKWIA and booked in advance via YouFirst. I had a very relaxing shoulder and neck message and would love to have one of those massage chairs in my office. Mmmmmmmmm.
One thing I found unacceptable for a First Class lounge was the state of the toilet. I have no idea what time they are cleaned but at around 9am the restroom was filthy. I have been on Virgin Trains with cleaner bathrooms.
And yet again, advice (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1361586-embarrassing-f-questions.html) from FTers on when to leave the CCR room was spot on. 35 minutes from lounge to gate B44 in time to join the fast track queue as it was being processed.
MadProfessor
Jul 13, 12, 8:51 am
The plane was full in CW, WT+ and WT and there were 3 spare seats in F. The plane was G-BLNS a 747-400 with Old First.
On boarding the aircraft I was told where my seat was but not shown to it. It’s not difficult to find so I wasn’t bothered about this. Somebody immediately attempted to take my non-existent coat and offered me a glass of fizz and a paper. The amenity kits, headphones and blankets were already on the seat and the sleeper suits were distributed before take-off.
The champagne, LP Grand Siecle I believe, was lovely and a noticeable step up over that in CW. It slipped down a treat! While I was enjoyed my pre-flight bubbly (and the obligatory top up) I got used to my surroundings. And I have mixed feelings on the hard product.
The good: plenty of space especially shelf space, a useful buddy seat cum footrest, and a very comfortable seat. Being on a 747 and being right at the front was novel. Even in 3K it felt like I was driving the bus. Toot, toot!
The bad: I couldn’t see out of the window it was so covered in scratches. My AVOD screen could only be freed from its slot with the help of the cabin crew and a knife. When it was out, the AVOD screen was ridiculously small and the selection of IFE pretty rubbish. It also needed rebooting twice during the flight. I didn’t appreciate that they had to turn off all the power and so none of the seat controls worked while they rebooted the system.
The ugly: the seat and the shelf were covered in crumbs and the seat controls were covered by a circle of filth and grime. I felt like I should wash my hands every time I moved my seat. Even the ancient 767 with the first generation CW seats that I came home on had a cleaner cabin.
With Old First it’s clearly all about the soft product. And by-and-large it was excellent. The service was attentive but not overly intrusive. For a day flight I thought they disappeared a little too much in the middle of the flight but then I looked around and about half of the F passengers were having a nap, so perhaps it was just me. The food was good but not excellent. I didn’t get my first choice of meal even though my order was taken 5th. Why can’t they bring 14 of everything for F passengers – they’ve paid enough! And I wasn’t given a choice of when to eat. However, the wines and the whisky were excellent. They paired well with the food and maintained their vigour even at altitude.
After take-off I enjoyed another glass (or two) of the champagne while reading through the menus. The CSD came up from CW and introduced herself. She said that she would be back through the cabin later but she didn’t return. I was “lucky” enough to be selected to return a customer experience survey.
It wasn’t long before the massive table was set and our food was ready.
The amuse bouche was a raw trout dish with a strong ginger and onion garnish.
For my main I opted for the beef after they ran out of the duck. I paired this with the Bordeaux. I think it was the Haute-Lafitte on this flight. The beef was incredibly tender despite being well-cooked. The pasta which accompanied it was a little dry and I do wonder how you can cook pasta at 35,000 feet.
For dessert I went with the marmalade bread and butter pudding with the dessert wine. I can’t remember which wine this was but it was thick and sweet – simply delicious.
I had some coffee and chocolates but the coffee was so bad I had to leave it. BA coffee always seem to be bad but this was terrible. I was asked what was wrong with it and whether I’d like them to make me a espresso. I didn’t risk it and moved onto the Johnny Walker Blue while watching The Girl with Dragon Tattoo. The later was only possible after two of the cabin crew fought the AVOD out of its holder with a knife.
I love the coloured water glasses and was tempted to purloin it, but I think that was just the Johnny Walker Blue talking…
About 90 minutes out of Washington, Afternoon Tea was served. I didn’t have the room for the whole shebang so I just “tested” the scones and tea. I’m a big fan of afternoon tea and this really didn’t disappoint, although they did have to go rummaging in Club World to find some Earl Grey tea.
It’s only natural to compare it to other experiences. It was noticeably better than CW obviously. There was more space, a more exclusive feel, and better wines. However, when I compare it to business on Qatar it comes up short. Qatar offered comparable levels of service and wine quality, and slightly better food.
Overall I enjoyed the experience but think that the cabin uncleanliness is unforgiveable. I would not pay the full ex-LHR fare (c. £9,000 I think) and for our forthcoming RTW in F I’m actively avoiding BA segments if I think there’s even a chance of getting Old First.
And then we landed. I was in a hurry and I was dreading IAD. Yet again FT came to my rescue and I knew where to stand on the plate mover to guarantee being the first off. I entered immigration first to find a fully staffed hall with no, that’s zero, passengers. Remarkable. And just as I was counting my chickens, down goes the computer system. The massive storm the previous day was still playing havoc with their IT and it took me about 20-25 minutes to clear immigration. I pity the folk behind me as it seemed they had to reboot their systems after each passenger. Without this hiccup I think I would have been plane to car in well under 30 minutes.
MadProfessor
Jul 13, 12, 8:56 am
The hotel was bought as a package through BA. I noticed that you could select the Ambassador Suite at no extra cost over a Park Deluxe Room. I wasn’t holding much hope for actually getting a suite on arrival but there I was in the lift on the way up to my suite on the top floor. Feeling smug with myself my jaw slackened all the way to ground floor when I opened the doors. Not having done any research on the specific room beforehand I was not prepared for what lay inside. The damn thing was bigger than my flat. Well almost.
I managed to have a peak in a standard room during my stay and they are much larger than your average hotel room and just as well appointed as my suite. I really like the design of the place, it’s contemporary yet doesn’t look like IKEA as some of the ‘boutique’ hotels do.
The service was good throughout. Not as polished as places like The Savoy but friendly, professional and generally effective. The hotel has a small indoor pool and jacuzzi. The pool is functional and I pumped out some laps every day but it’s quite short and very shallow, even at the deep end. The gym was well equipped for a hotel of this size and whilst well used it was never busy.
The food in the restaurant, The Blue Duck Tavern, and through room service was excellent. The restaurant is well worth trying even if you’re not staying at the hotel.
The hotel offers complimentary car service every morning and evening yet every time I enquired it was unavailable. You must have to get your bookings in very early. However, the hotel is within a 10-minute walk of the Foggy Bottom Metro station (which is air-conditioned) and there are always plenty of cabs lurking outside.
There is also free bike hire on offer but as it was 104 degrees during my stay I didn’t take them up on this.
Overall I had a very pleasant stay in an excellent hotel and I imagine I’d have been equally pleased by the standard rooms. I will be returning in August so I’ll be able to confirm this.
MadProfessor
Jul 13, 12, 9:02 am
I was in DC for work so didn't really get a chance for much fun, but here are a few snaps from my travels. The obligatory shot of the White House:
I was very disappointed that most of "The Mall" was under-construction and renovation works. Both reflecting pools were empty and the WWII memorial was cordoned off. The Korean War Memorial was pretty interesting:
I was apprehensive about the return leg as I knew it was an old 767 fitted with the first generation club world seats. However, I didn’t have a choice due to the way I’d booked into F on the way out.
Getting to the airport would have been a bit of a pain with luggage. I decided to use public transport because the estimated cab fare seemed extortionate (c. $110 + tip) and I had plenty of time. So I hopped a cab over to Union Station ($14 inc. tip) and took the 18:05 Amtrak NE Regional train for $14.
I arrived about 45 minutes before departure and people were already queuing at the ‘gate’. I assume this is because unlike British (and I think most European) trains my “reserved” ticket was for a particular train rather than a particular seat. The train started boarding late and we departed about 5 minutes late. There was no problem finding a seat, there was a huge amount of luggage space (take note Virgin Trains) and the air-conditioning worked a treat (take note East Coast Mainline).
While queuing you’re subjected to endless videos about Amtrak police, K-9 (dog) patrols, security, terrorism, etc. It’s no wonder many Americans are paranoid. I noted that everybody’s ID was checked at the gate but I wasn’t sure what they were actually checking – any clues?
Some thirty minutes later the train pulled into BWI station where I waited about 10 minutes for a shuttle bus to the main airport terminal. Note, the shuttle stops at each “concourse” around the terminal and international departures is the last stop (E). I, of course, got out at B.
The airport was very quiet and international departures was almost deserted. I had my mobile BP and progressed straight to security. It took them about 15 minutes to get their machine to read my mobile BP (apparently they never use it) and in which time I’d caused quite a queue. After scanning it and confirming my name I went through my first full body scanner. Quite a strange and public experience. It is much slower than using the conventional arch but perhaps they stop and wand fewer people.
BA use the Chesapeake lounge which I assume only opens for the BA flight, the last remaining international flight from BWI. The lounge attendants were very pleasant and welcoming, and it wasn’t a terrible place to spend a few hours. The food and drink selection and quality was nowhere near the usual BA standard and the wifi wasn’t working, but the place was fairly empty and there was table service which made for a relaxing time. They serve Newcastle Brown Ale which is a rather strange choice.
There were a few shops and a restaurant open on the international pier which I presume must also open especially for this flight. The whole thing seems hugely uneconomical especially as I hear rumours that the Maryland state government subsidise BA’s flight. This is not surprising given the really light load on the flight.
The lounge dragon came around and informed us our plane was ready to board and off our merry band of passengers went. The gate was about 2 minutes from the lounge and we were fast tracked at the gate. There was a minor panic when I arrived as for some reason my passport hadn’t gone through passport control. I think this is because the mobile BP didn’t scan properly. When they eventually let me through the gate I joined a fairly long queue of WT and WT+ passengers with priority boarding because there was only one door open.
I was welcomed aboard G-BNWV and the usual champagne was offered (and accepted) while I settled in. Up front in club world cabin we had only 7 passengers. I had selected 1A and there was plenty of space around me, which was good because the seat itself is quite narrow. With the drink and main tables out it felt quite claustrophobic. Compared to the newer club world seats these were a little firmer which I didn’t mind but I could imagine some passengers find them uncomfortable.
After take-off I had a quick G&T, watched an episode of NCIS and opted for the quick meal option of chicken quesadillas which were quite tasty. The starter of roasted vegetable salad was massively acidic and the dessert was a tasteless lemon tart. I found eating really difficult in the dark cabin, even with the help of the reading light. I appreciate that this is a night flight (21:20 departure) but perhaps they could wait until after the meal service to turn off the lights, especially as dining in the lounge really isn’t an option.
After the meal I then settled down for the night. With such few passengers on this night flight the crew must have been bored. I regretted my choice of 1A because their incessant chatting and laughing woke me several times.
Breakfast was a little disappointing. The fresh fruit and croissant were fine, the coffee was terrible and the bacon roll looked like it came out of a doll’s house it was so small. Thank God there’s an arrivals lounge for a proper breakfast. However, it was all tasty enough, except the coffee, so perhaps I’m just greedy.
We departed about 30 minutes late which due to a lack of tailwinds we didn’t make up over the Atlantic. That resulted in us being held in the usual hold pattern over London awaiting a landing spot. The plane taxied to a parking stand where we waited for 15 minutes for the stairs to arrive. After that shuttle buses took us to the main terminal. Apart from the long wait for the stairs I think the bus may actually be quicker than getting from the C gates to the main terminal.
Given the recent media frenzy over LHR immigration I was expecting a long wait but I was through the fast track border point about 5-10 minutes. Again with no hold baggage I was through customs and into the arrivals hall in under 30 minutes from leaving the plane. Not bad at all.
Ultimately I got some rest which is the main benefit of CW on a night flight. I appreciated the quiet cabin with few other passengers but really suffered from the excitable and noisy cabin crew in the galley. However, I feel a similarly about the old generation CW as I did about the old First I experienced on the outbound leg; I don’t think that this is suitable given the high fares BA charges relative to other TATL carriers.
squeeler
Jul 13, 12, 10:01 am
Super report, thank you Prof.
papabear
Jul 13, 12, 11:58 am
Great trip report - I enjoyed reading that.
RTW4
Jul 13, 12, 4:20 pm
Wonderful trip report.. I agree with you about the old first class.. the NEW first class is miles above the product you flew on.. I specifically fly from JFK-LHR in order to be assured of the new first class....
pvdecastro
Jul 13, 12, 5:04 pm
Great TR! Thanks for sharing.
origin
Aug 16, 12, 12:27 pm
Great trip report, thanks.
MadProfessor
Sep 2, 12, 11:00 am
Thanks for the comments. New trip report on my recent LHR-JFK trip to come very shortly. FWIW received 90K Avios 'service recovery' for that trip.
leavingonajetplane
Sep 2, 12, 11:50 am
Great TR- and what a result getting the Ambassador Suite!!
I don't know if it's the same at BWI, but at JFK, they ask passengers with hand luggage only to visit the BA service desk before boarding to get their passport checked.
7 passengers in Club sounds good, and you'd have thought that the service would have been quick.
MadProfessor
Sep 2, 12, 1:01 pm
@leavingonajetplane nobody told me to have my passport inspected. Makes a mockery of the whole mobile or print your own BP though.
You'd think the service would be quick with only 7 pax....
Now THAT is one sexy piece of travel bag... *swoon*
(I have a slight obsession with brown leather travel bags... ) :D
Please feel free to post more pictures of it... Open, closed, close up... However... ;)
MadProfessor
Sep 2, 12, 1:56 pm
@BingBongBoy - A brown leather bag fetish? Next time I travel I shall take some photos of it for you... If you're interested it was rather good value for money but then I did buy it in Argentina.
angeloedades
Sep 2, 12, 4:06 pm
Things I loved about the room and hotel:
- The price. At £45 a night at the airport this was cheap.
- The bed was incredibly comfortable and large
- The TV channels were fairly rubbish but they offer 50 free movies on demand including a bit of blue for the dads. I wonder whether this is an Amsterdam specific offering.
- Free wifi. Very easy to access and fairly quick.
- Quick self-service check-in/out
- The blackout blinds were really appreciated in these summer evenings when I wanted to turn in early.
I stayed in CitizenM before in Glasgow and thought it was good value for money.
Regarding the 'blue' it is not a Amsterdam-specific offering... we too had it on our rooms.
I do like the hotel chain but it is definitely not suitable for a long stay as you suggested.
I shall continue reading the rest of this trip report ;)
EDIT - have read the trip report now and it is superb! but you were right about the grime around the controls... it makes me want to wash my hands often if I touched it!
/AE
BingBongBoy
Sep 2, 12, 4:26 pm
@BingBongBoy - A brown leather bag fetish? Next time I travel I shall take some photos of it for you... If you're interested it was rather good value for money but then I did buy it in Argentina.
Ooh! Yes please! :D
I have just bought another one off eBay and awaiting its arrival... This will make 4 now... I think I need help... :( :eek:
headhunterke
Sep 2, 12, 6:19 pm
Wow, you can actually 'see' the sweetness of that desert wine. Might be a little too sweet for my tasting. Very nice report, thanks for this.
MadProfessor
Sep 3, 12, 5:03 am
@BingBongBoy....as requested you dirty perv! ;) Photos of my bag. Yes, that's a measure of how much I was avoiding starting work this morning.
That was quite a find for the BAholidays rate. They do however seem quite adept at screwing this up*... I bagged the Club Floor in the RC Central Park for £110 earlier in the year, and last month got a £0 upgrade charge against an executive room at a Raddison (so just got free breakfast, but better than a poke in the eye).
Not sure if it's BA Holidays who are to blame or hotelbeds who I think are always the booker....
* BA holidays have also shafted me a couple of times, mind you, so I see results like this as VERY fair game.....
MadProfessor
Sep 3, 12, 7:23 am
@SwissTony - As I said, I wasn't expecting it to happen. There was a bit of a problem with BA's corporate credit card which is used to bill the rooms to and I saw how much they were charged for my stay. Let's say I definitely did well out of that deal.
And another nice surprise was all the extra Avios you get from booking a flight and hotel together....I think it was 15,000 on top of the miles for the flights alone.
But as you say you win some and you certainly lose some.
Swiss Tony
Sep 3, 12, 7:36 am
@SwissTony - As I said, I wasn't expecting it to happen. There was a bit of a problem with BA's corporate credit card which is used to bill the rooms to and I saw how much they were charged for my stay. Let's say I definitely did well out of that deal.
And another nice surprise was all the extra Avios you get from booking a flight and hotel together....I think it was 15,000 on top of the miles for the flights alone.
But as you say you win some and you certainly lose some.
that was charged to BA :eek: !!! - I'm not sure how it worked for the hotel in NY but the Radisson just said "the room's paid for through hotelbeds".
When it goes wrong BA Holidays also have some reasonable service recovery in my book. Have had a full refund once and a sleigh-ful of miles on another occasion although you don't really want a luxury holiday marred by building work.....
MadProfessor
Sep 3, 12, 7:44 am
that was charged to BA :eek: !!!
Oh yes, I had to speak to the finance department myself. Well, BA Holidays which could obviously be another company working under their branding. But still something paid a TA rate on the suite rate and not the normal room rate....ouch.
Swiss Tony
Sep 3, 12, 7:47 am
I reckon there must be a whole wealth of 'fare mistakes' to be found in the BA holidays hotel system. many of which are going to be incredibly painful to someone.
Note that the BAholidays T&Cs do give them 24hrs to decline a booking (at least on hotel only rates).
BingBongBoy
Sep 3, 12, 10:10 am
@BingBongBoy....as requested you dirty perv! ;) Photos of my bag. Yes, that's a measure of how much I was avoiding starting work this morning.
Absolutely stunning bag... I am very jealous... You will get to see a couple of my collection on my Trip Report which will be posted in November or so... Not that you will have as much interest in the bags as me, obviously... :D