Review: the impressive Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel

This is my review of the impressive Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel.

It’s fair to say that there aren’t many airport hotels worldwide that you would put on your bucket list, but I had been keen to try out the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Long-term readers will recognise it, because I often use a picture of the hotel with its iconic latticed design:

…. to illustrate Hilton articles on Head for Points.  It has only been open for a couple of years and my wife has always been very positive when she has stayed there.

There are three hotels in the grounds of Schiphol airport and which are walkable – the Sheraton and the Hilton, which straddle either side of the World Trade Centre office block, and a citizenM.  The first two are reached via an elevated corridor from the lobby of the airport train station.

The Sheraton comes first and it is another two minutes to the Hilton.  It’s worth the extra walk.  The ease of access to the railway station was handy at 5am on Tuesday when I was in need of breakfast an hour before the hotel restaurant opened.

The first thing you notice when you enter the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel is the cavernous interior (this is taken from the 11th floor):

…. which at ground level comprises the check-in area, bar and a large open plan seating area.

Check-in was swift.  It was only 11am but I was given my keys – apparently there is an early arrival fee (no idea what) but they waived this due to my Diamond status.  I was upgraded to an exterior facing room on one of the Executive floors and given lounge access.  As a Diamond I could also have had breakfast in the restaurant but due to two 5am starts I never made it.

Here’s my room.  I liked it a lot.  There was a big comfy bed with lots of lighting (reading light, bedside light, ‘behind bed’ light):

…. a decent desk with enough sockets:

…. and a view over the tarmac:

The bathroom was good.  I had no bath (a few rooms with a bath are available on request) but the shower was huge.  My only complaint was the water pressure which was not great.

The sink had a plasticky surface which could have been done better.  Toiletries, possibly just on the Executive floors, were Crabtree & Evelyn.

I had a coffee machine and a kettle:

What really impressed was a card I was given which offered me a choice of four gifts for being a Diamond member.  The options were:

• four items from the mini bar
• 15% off and a free Rituals gift from the spa
• your choice of drink from the Axis Bar
• one night of free car parking
• a charitable donation

I took a €15 cocktail from the gin-driven menu in the bar, which was very good.  Given that this is on top of restaurant breakfast AND lounge access, Diamond members of Hilton Honors are VERY well treated here.

The Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol executive lounge

I was a little disappointed by the executive lounge.  It is a long thin space and was more of an eating area than somewhere to relax or work.  That said, I came here one evening from the snack session and found an impressive mix of salads, pasta etc along with hot chicken wings.  There was plenty of wine.

Lounge times are:

• Breakfast 06.00 – 10.00
• Pastries etc 12.00 – 21.30
• Canapes, crudites, salad, cheese, bread etc plus alcoholic drinks  18.00 – 20.00
• Lighter snacks 20.00 – 21.30
• Tea, coffee, soft drinks, fruit 06.00 – 22.30

One other thoughtful touch was a staircase which ran only between the three Executive floors and the lounge.  This meant that you could access the lounge quickly without waiting for a lift to make its way up from the lobby.

Conclusion

I was very impressed by the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel.   My treatment as a Diamond member was excellent and the design of the hotel and its rooms is first rate.  I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again ahead of the Sheraton or citizenM.

The hotel website is here if you want to find out more.

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (April 2024)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.  We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

Did you know that the Virgin Atlantic credit cards are a great way of earning Hilton Honors points? Two Virgin Points can be converted into three Hilton Honors points. The Virgin Atlantic cards are the only Visa or Mastercard products in the UK which can indirectly earn Hilton Honors points. You can apply here.

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (40,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)