AMS over night
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: Delta Diamond MM Hyatt Plat Starwoods SPG
Posts: 91
AMS over night
Returning from Rome, we connect in AMS. Flight arrives at 12:15am but the return to U.S. doesn't leave until 9:30am. Is there a hotel near the airport and is it difficult to clear customs just to catch a little shut eye? Thanks
#3
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Join Date: May 2006
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There actually is a Mercure hotel in the airport. I've never stayed there, but supposedly it is airside (i.e. thru security).
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlántida, Canelones, Uruguay (MVD) and rarely GNV
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If you're returning from Rome connecting in Amsterdam, you're already in the Schengen zone - it's all one immigration and customs zone. I'm not certain, but I don't think you'd have any customs or immigration to clear at all. Intra-Schengen travel is just like Texas to Colorado.
That's different from your outbound from the US into Schengen, where you'd need to clear customs/immigration into the Schengen zone at AMS, and then your flight to Rome would essentially be domestic.
On the way home, you're leaving the Schengen zone when you go into the section of AMS for non-Schengen travel. But until you do that, you should be able to just go landside at AMS without any immigration/customs formalities coming from Rome.
So I'd guess you could easily use any airport hotel near AMS.
That's different from your outbound from the US into Schengen, where you'd need to clear customs/immigration into the Schengen zone at AMS, and then your flight to Rome would essentially be domestic.
On the way home, you're leaving the Schengen zone when you go into the section of AMS for non-Schengen travel. But until you do that, you should be able to just go landside at AMS without any immigration/customs formalities coming from Rome.
So I'd guess you could easily use any airport hotel near AMS.
#5
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Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
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The Sheraton and the Hilton are walk-able as they are connected to the terminal by a moving walkway and parking garage but beware of any other "airport Hotels" as Schipol is huge and takes about an hour to drive around. Also beware that the Sheraton and Hilton are pretty expensive so make your reservation ahead of time.
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
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Also Amsterdam is a mere few minutes away by train too but I'd just stay at or near the airport given your times...
If you are feeling energetic, get in train into town, drink party until dawn, get back on the train and avoid the hotel completely! You can shower at the Mercure, they have facilities for the passing traveler, which is located between lounge 41 and 52 on the upper level on the international side of AMS
If you are feeling energetic, get in train into town, drink party until dawn, get back on the train and avoid the hotel completely! You can shower at the Mercure, they have facilities for the passing traveler, which is located between lounge 41 and 52 on the upper level on the international side of AMS
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,661
I've used the Mercure for a day room when I have a long lay over and haven't had the energy to go into Amsterdam. It's clean, and fairly spartan. If memory serves, it's about 125 euro a night. I could be off on that.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,056
Can recommend the Hilton
I've stayed at the Hilton several times and can recommend it. It's a bit further walk than the Mercure or Sheraton, but still on the airport grounds and walkable (they also have a shuttle van). The rates are pretty reasonable on Friday and Saturday nights, but it is somewhat on the pricey side on other
nights. They've always left me a nice little gift as an HHonors Gold.
nights. They've always left me a nice little gift as an HHonors Gold.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SLC or DUB
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The Hilton is near by, but I can tell you that staying there was the WORST hotel experience of my life. Dear God was it horrible. Sleeping on the ground was more enticing then the bed they had. Plus you have to pay extra for internet. I'd try the Sheraton, but avoid the Hilton at all costs.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 396
Ams
You might try a Priceline bid for the airport area. I have gotten the Courtyard Marriot over in HoofDorp a couple of times in the $45-55 per night range. The last time was in Oct 2006 for $55 per night. Shutle van to the hotel is free but they do charge 5 Euros for the return or you can just walk about 200 meters from the hotel and catch the bus that runs from Harlem to AMS for about 3 lines on the Strippencart. I also seem to recall a area of the termimal that had a bunch of recliners set up where you could snooze for free.
The Holiday Inn by the RAI also has good rates and can be bid on via Priceline for about $60-80 per night, I have stayed there many times and it is close to the tram and NS Train.
Be Safe
DFWBOB
Now BWIBOB soon to be DCABOB in Feb2008
The Holiday Inn by the RAI also has good rates and can be bid on via Priceline for about $60-80 per night, I have stayed there many times and it is close to the tram and NS Train.
Be Safe
DFWBOB
Now BWIBOB soon to be DCABOB in Feb2008
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,056
The Hilton is near by, but I can tell you that staying there was the WORST hotel experience of my life. Dear God was it horrible. Sleeping on the ground was more enticing then the bed they had. Plus you have to pay extra for internet. I'd try the Sheraton, but avoid the Hilton at all costs.
#12
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
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You might try a Priceline bid for the airport area. I have gotten the Courtyard Marriot over in HoofDorp a couple of times in the $45-55 per night range. The last time was in Oct 2006 for $55 per night. Shutle van to the hotel is free but they do charge 5 Euros for the return or you can just walk about 200 meters from the hotel and catch the bus that runs from Harlem to AMS for about 3 lines on the Strippencart. I also seem to recall a area of the termimal that had a bunch of recliners set up where you could snooze for free.
The Holiday Inn by the RAI also has good rates and can be bid on via Priceline for about $60-80 per night, I have stayed there many times and it is close to the tram and NS Train.
Be Safe
DFWBOB
Now BWIBOB soon to be DCABOB in Feb2008
The Holiday Inn by the RAI also has good rates and can be bid on via Priceline for about $60-80 per night, I have stayed there many times and it is close to the tram and NS Train.
Be Safe
DFWBOB
Now BWIBOB soon to be DCABOB in Feb2008
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
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The Hilton is near by, but I can tell you that staying there was the WORST hotel experience of my life. Dear God was it horrible. Sleeping on the ground was more enticing then the bed they had. Plus you have to pay extra for internet. I'd try the Sheraton, but avoid the Hilton at all costs.
#14
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Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
I find the Schiphol Hilton beds excellent as well as the hotels soundproofing. Strangely i remember the beds as slightly elevated and the rooms are nicely furnished but small. Their exec lounge is also small but the food and booze are excellent and plentiful and it is open most of the time. Downside is they permit smoking on one side of the (small) room.
MisterNice
MisterNice
#15
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Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
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