"House of KLM" - Crown Lounge redesign
Jun 16, 2019, 4:32 am
#199
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Jakarta
Programs: Flying Blue, Marco Polo, Skywards, Etihad Guest, IHG, Aeroplan
Posts: 269
I was at the new non-schengen lounge yesterday for the first time since it was opened. After reading this thread, I came prepared and I came with the expectation that the lounge will be 'busy'. It was around 1pm and boy oh boy... busy is an understatement. It was madness. Used tissues on the floor, crumbles on carpet, uncleaned tables, queues formed around buffet spread, people circling around like vultures looking for empty seats (including myself!)... some were eating standing up. I guess I hit the jackpot 
If this is 60% of the intended capacity, I can't wait to see the situation at 100%
If this is 60% of the intended capacity, I can't wait to see the situation at 100%
Jun 16, 2019, 5:23 am
#200
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 757
I have been there several times and I prefer the old Schengen lounge.
The new one is always crowded, the design was more important than the functionality.
- lot of seats without power
- stairway is dangerous and not practical
- dining seats are often 4 seats combined, so one person occupies 4 seats.
The new restaurant is a flop. Never saw more than one table occupied. On the other hand are the food options in the lounge very limited.
The lounge already shows significant wear and tear.
Somehow i don’t find it a nice place to be at.
Too big, too many “lounge lice”.
The new one is always crowded, the design was more important than the functionality.
- lot of seats without power
- stairway is dangerous and not practical
- dining seats are often 4 seats combined, so one person occupies 4 seats.
The new restaurant is a flop. Never saw more than one table occupied. On the other hand are the food options in the lounge very limited.
The lounge already shows significant wear and tear.
Somehow i don’t find it a nice place to be at.
Too big, too many “lounge lice”.
Jun 17, 2019, 7:27 am
#201
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Leeds ,Yorks UK
Programs: KLM Flying Blue Platinum for Life.. BA Gold , oh and some other shiny bits of plastic ...
Posts: 4,238
After having a chat with the head lounge agent yesterday about the general dislike of the new lounge , found out one or two interesting points of interest , The ' famous' architects who designed the lounge apparently have the final say on anything that goes in the new lounge , this is why the self service ticket machines have not been installed into the lounge as they don't fit in 'aesthetically' !!
It is all about aesthetics and NOTHING about functionality .
I asked the question who are the architects , was told they are not allowed to give that information due to commercial interest issues , which sounds bonkers ! they did say that the offices are located in the red light area of Amsterdam .. which was a very strange statement in itself !
Things I have spotted broken already were the water taps , both sets of them were not working by the end of yesterday.
It is all about aesthetics and NOTHING about functionality .
I asked the question who are the architects , was told they are not allowed to give that information due to commercial interest issues , which sounds bonkers ! they did say that the offices are located in the red light area of Amsterdam .. which was a very strange statement in itself !
Things I have spotted broken already were the water taps , both sets of them were not working by the end of yesterday.
Last edited by psollitt; Jun 17, 2019 at 7:28 am Reason: spelling
Jun 17, 2019, 7:50 am
#203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
After having a chat with the head lounge agent yesterday about the general dislike of the new lounge , found out one or two interesting points of interest , The ' famous' architects who designed the lounge apparently have the final say on anything that goes in the new lounge , this is why the self service ticket machines have not been installed into the lounge as they don't fit in 'aesthetically' !!
It is all about aesthetics and NOTHING about functionality .
I asked the question who are the architects , was told they are not allowed to give that information due to commercial interest issues , which sounds bonkers ! they did say that the offices are located in the red light area of Amsterdam .. which was a very strange statement in itself !
It is all about aesthetics and NOTHING about functionality .
I asked the question who are the architects , was told they are not allowed to give that information due to commercial interest issues , which sounds bonkers ! they did say that the offices are located in the red light area of Amsterdam .. which was a very strange statement in itself !
Last edited by NickB; Jun 17, 2019 at 8:13 am Reason: typo
Jun 19, 2019, 4:21 pm
#204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
KLM has announced that the access policy to that fabulous blue restaurant of theirs has changed: all lounge guests are now welcome, regardsless of class of travel.
They must be desperate for more patrons keen to munch on Swedes.
Johan
They must be desperate for more patrons keen to munch on Swedes.
Johan
Jun 19, 2019, 6:04 pm
#205
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
I was at the lounge last Friday and my impression was that even though the crowd is similar to previously, the design makes it more noticeable. The "service request" functionality to speak to an agent at the beginning seemed to be a great idea but the execution is poor. Basically you receive a link to mark your location, which I did, but then the lounge attendant walked over a few times, didn't ask any passenger their name, and just went back to the desk and paged me.
Wait time for the shower was 1h55min.
Wait time for the shower was 1h55min.
Jun 19, 2019, 9:13 pm
#206
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Platinum
Posts: 113
Visited the lounge last Monday from 09-10 in the morning, main area was full as expected but there were a few seats at the bar upstairs. Good coffee, reasonably good views, friendly bar employees. Overall I'm a happy guest.
Jun 19, 2019, 11:39 pm
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
Sorry if I missed that, but I don't remember having read before that access was restricted to J-class pax, was it ?
Jun 20, 2019, 12:43 am
#208
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,711
There is also an article on luchtvaartnieuws on this topic, but unfortunately I don’t have a premium membership and am not able to read it.
Jun 20, 2019, 1:26 am
#209
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Hull, UK
Programs: FB Plat, ALL Silver, HH Silver
Posts: 165
"Please note that lounge access is required to make any reservation."
May I ask if you need a reservation to access the bar? I would guess you do not. However, the restaurant's menu looks very pretentious to me. I do not mind that, although, it does immediately alienate people unfamiliar with the flavours and textures on offer. I would not mind giving it a try though.