Business trips can be tedious at the best of times but the tedium is exacerbated when overnight hotelaccommodation offers little more than a bed for the night in a faceless establishment.
Unfortunately, the Hilton at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is just one of those faceless hotels.
Convenience is the key to this hotel's success. It is linked to the airport by a covered walkway and so provides a superb base from which to operate when doing business in and around the Schiphol business area. If your business is in Amsterdam centre it will still only take about 30 minutes to get into the main town, however, I would suggest that there are
plenty of better hotels in the city centre.
When one stays in chain hotels, particularly those aimed at the business community, one can often predict with hideous accuracy the standard and style of accommodation. The Schiphol Hilton is no exception. The Hilton group seem to pride themselves on offering high standard, functional rooms, aimed at the business traveller. The Hilton at Schiphol is no exception. The bedrooms are all equipped for the modern traveller with high speed internet access (via modem at a cost), telephones (including one in the bathroom) and a roomy desk. Décor is "male" - understated wood-tones, stripes and crisp linen. An easy chair (which is invariably anything but easy) and coffee table complete the set. The rooms are of average size and a little worn.
Business travellers on corporate accounts have a lot to answer for. I'm convinced that the fact that we spend the money of others gives the hotel industry the ammunition it needs to hike up prices, meaning that anyone staying on their own account has to think carefully before partaking of a drink or a meal in a business orientated hotel. Each of the Hilton's rooms has a mini-bar which operates on an automatic charging basis. This means that if you take an item from its home in the fridge you will be charged for it automatically, even if you put it back. This makes sense for the hotel in terms of stock control but can be an unwary trap for the guest. If you do give in to the lure of the beer at 5.5 Euro (for a coke sized can), a Gordon's G& T at 8.90 + 4 Euro or just a simple water at 5.5 Euro (half litre) ice is available from machines by the lifts on each floor.
Eating outside of your room is similarly pricey. Four eateries are available, ranging from formal dining to a teppanyaki table. Sushi was fresh, if a little processed in flavour and not particularly good value at 25 Euro for a large set (7 pieces). Sashimi is also available at a similar price. Better value was the Stopover Bar where a burger is as substantial as it gets but you can't go far wrong with that!
Breakfast is taken either in room or in the Greenhouse restaurant. Breakfast was fresh and plentiful with both Continental and traditional English breakfasts being available. Served buffet-style it is convenient, faceless and suited to the business traveller. Early risers can eat from 6am.
The issue with the eateries in the hotel is the opening hours. All apart from the Stopover Bar are closed by 11pm, with the bar closing at 1am. Outside of those hours room service is available at a price confining the out-of-hours traveller to their room.
If you really can't get enough of this faceless place, meeting rooms are available together with standard business equipment. This facility does mean that you can pack in several meetings without really leaving the airport's boundaries if that is your bag.
If you have the time, Hilton group-member Livingwell have a mini gym within the hotel complex. Nothing marks this out from any other small-scale gym facility.
So, would I recommend it? If you have business at the airport or surrounds, then yes, probably. It's convenience is the key to it's success. A 5 minute walk to your gate from the hotel lobby and a similar time to the train station to catch a train into the city, 20 minutes away. If you like hotels where you know what you are going to get and where you don't miss the personal touch then it could suit. Surprisingly, being so close to the airport is not a problem in the noise stakes, you'll hear more noise from the mini-bar than the aircraft. If you have a choice of airport hotels though, opt for the Sheraton which is marginally closer and definitely of a higher standard (if a little more pricey).
If, however, like me, you have seen one too many business hotels, or if you are a family, or just a tourist up for a good time in 'Dam, then I really wouldn't rate it. Go find yourself a more individual haunt in the city (there are plenty ranging from a couple of rather fine hostels, to more grand affairs).
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I find a lot of the chains can be horribly predictable in that you you wake up, know which hotel chain you are in but not what city or country! There are a few notable exceptions. But yes airport hotels are famously faceless. And that price for a drink - ouch!
offy 13.08.2006 23:17
I ended up in one of these types of hotel recently when we got stuck in Amsterdam for 24 hours following a flight delay. I agree they are faceless, but I was just grateful for a free bed (having been up for hours and being peed off about the delay). The double decker train to the centre was fun though.
lazza123 10.08.2006 10:19
You're right, I've been round most of the World and the majority are faceless!! Good advice, pick somewhere cheaper & in hte city. Larry
Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a modern, stone coloured hotel located next to the ... more
airport and linked to the terminal via a covered walkway, 12 kilometres from the centre of Amsterdam. The hotel's 280 guestrooms feature airport views and include a...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a modern, stone coloured hotel located next to the ... more
airport and linked to the terminal via a covered walkway, 12 kilometres from the centre of Amsterdam. The hotel's 280 guestrooms feature airport views and include a...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Aug 9th, 2006
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