I’ve decided, hauling heavy bags around city centres is hugely overrated!
Perhaps it’s because I live in London, and seem to spend my life lugging heavy bags around this city (it kinda goes with the travel blogger territory I suppose), perhaps it’s because I’ve just celebrated my 40th birthday and mid-life has struck, or perhaps it’s just because I’ve done it for years.
Either way, and whatever the reason, I’m well and truly over lugging luggage around.
So when I learned that there was an amazing hotel, I could literally walk to from Schiphol airport, I suddenly started feeling a whole lot lighter about my winter getaway to Amsterdam.
With a room at the , I could simply glide there from arrivals, check-in, relieve myself of my suitcase and refresh with a coffee, all before having to even think about a crowded city centre.
Sounded like bliss!
Related Posts
- Top 25 Amsterdam Museums to Add to Your Itinerary
- Amsterdam Tulip Fields: Where to Go to Avoid the Crowds
- Travel Guide to Amsterdam Noord: The Hipster District You’ve Never Heard Of
And when I say glide to the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel, I really do mean it.
It’s pretty much just one long horizontal travelator that takes you from the arrivals at Schiphol airport, into the main train station here, all the way along to the hotel.
And best of all, it’s all undercover too.
Forget braving the freezing cold weather, after collecting my bag, I literally made it to the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in under 10 minutes… and I stayed warm the whole time.
A total December win!
But the relaxing nature of the trip didn’t end there.
Thanks to the speedy check-in I received at the hotel reception from the fantastic staff, and the peaceful, relaxed nature of the huge, airy lobby, I’m not sure I’ve ever found myself in a hotel room feeling so relaxed.
After an early morning flight, the in-room Nespresso machine, decked out with decaf and full-caf options, and the huge rainfall shower in my en-suite completed my revival, leaving me ready to get on with some much-needed work!
Yes sorry if you were under the illusion that this travel blogging game is just a lot of gliding glamorously around!
Sometimes we have to do quite a bit of work too, but thanks to the fab desk in my room at the Hilton, and the oodles of natural light that poured into my 11th floor executive suite, I was able to crack on efficiently, distracted only momentarily, to enjoy the panoramic views of the planes taking off and landing silently along Schiphol’s distant runway.
And the best of all, for a blogger, the wifi was lightning fast too!
Yes, thanks to my Hilton Honors membership, I was able to access the hotel’s free wifi instantly and, with the ability to earn points for my stay, plus get a late check-out, it’s good to know this free loyalty membership scheme also gave me access to the best rates at the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotel too.
As the afternoon wore on, I decided to go exploring.
But not beyond the hotel; after all, who really needs to leave when everything you could possibly need is here!
From the Executive Lounge certain guests can access, with its free snacks, drinks and peaceful reading conditions across a range of quiet, comfortable sofa, through to the stunning mocktail I enjoyed at the Axis Bar Lobby bar, there seemed little need for me to go anywhere else!
The hotel’s iconic cubic design and stunning 42-meter-high atrium, made the whole place feel nothing but spacious, open and inviting.
Forget dingy, sub-par airport hotels, this stunning spot is in its own league!
After all, if holidays don’t give you a sense of ease, right from the airport, you’re doing them wrong!
And with this very much at the forefront of my mind, I set off in the early evening, to check out the hotel’s spa and gym facilities.
A modern range of equipment, in a wonderfully spacious room filled with natural light, meant the gym here was ideal for a quick workout, before I headed to truly unwind in the wonderful spa.
Spas are my happy place, and the whirlpool, steam room and Swedish sauna of the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol did not disappoint.
Free towels, robes and slippers were all on offer, as were comfortable day beds, where I relaxed with a magazine between sessions.
Enjoying a sober weekend, this felt like the perfect treat as, outside, the soundless, evening activity of Schiphol formed a soothing backdrop.
Feeling like I was almost floating at this point, I decided to keep things super easy and dine at the wonderful in-house Bowery restaurant, where the wonderful array of vegetarian options and use of fresh, seasonal ingredients kept up the healthy and rejuvenating feel of my day.
All I want between long flights is a good salad and lots of healthy vegetables, but for those looking for some heartier, the comforting burger and beer options here also looked divine!
After all, this is most guests use the Hilton Schiphol for.
Located so close to the airport, if you have interconnecting flights with long or overnight layovers at Amsterdam’s airport, this is the perfect place to rest your head – not least thanks to the huge comfortable beds, complete with sensitive night lighting and premium quality sheets that simply lull you to sleep.
If, however, you want to travel further afield, then this hotel is also an ideal base.
Just a 15 minute direct train from Schiphol’s station and you can find yourself in the buzzing atmosphere of central Amsterdam.
So on day 2, finally managing to peel myself away from the cosy convenience of the hotel, I headed in to explore my favourite European capital, care of my Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket.
As you’ll know if you follow my adventures a lot, I love Amsterdam and usually visit a few times a year, but despite this, I’m yet to tick a festive getaway to the Dutch capital off my list.
I’d booked a canal boat tour to experience the renowned Amsterdam Winter Lights festival and, with a departure from right below Amsterdam Centraal, the direct train to this station from the hotel couldn’t have been smoother.
Grabbing a quick stroopwafel for subsentence (it’s a must in this city!), I then boarded my boat for an hour long tour along the famous canals as night fell.
Wrapped up under a cosy blanket, with a green tea in hand, I got to sail silently past 26 amazing light installations that really brought the festive feels of this city to life.
Set to a background of Amsterdam’s famous canal houses, known as grachtenpand, complete with Christmas tree collections shining bright in almost every window, it was the most joyous way to experience Amsterdam during this crisp winter weekend.
But it isn’t just Amsterdam the Hilton Schiphol allows you to explore easily.
The Hague, Utrecht and quirky Rotterdam are also easily reachable in 30 minutes by direct train, meaning for those of you looking to get a little off the beaten track in the Netherlands, this hotel is the perfect base too.
And the city tax you’ll pay at the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is much lower than in any of these spots too – not to mention, you don’t have to lug any heavy bags on the train either!
The perfect place to stay no matter where you set your exploring sights in this country, the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the easily the most convenient place to set up shop.
Just minutes from the airport, making it ideal for layovers and short breaks, it completely does away with the stress and confusion that comes from navigating a busy city with luggage, allowing you to get yourself sorted and settled ahead of the many amazing adventures in this country you have in store.
Book your stay at the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol .
@bigworldsmallpockets Top Place to Stay in Amsterdam 🏨 📝 Review of the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Hotel #sponsored | @hilton #amsterdamhotel #amsterdamhotels #hiltonamsterdam #schipholairport #schiphol #schipholhotel #hiltonhotel #hiltonamsterdamairportschiphol #visitamsterdam #exploreamsterdam ♬ original sound – Big World Small Pockets
SAVE THIS ARTICLE TO PINTEREST!
My stay was sponsored by the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol but, as always, all views are my own.
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
Just enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!
Information will be sent to the email provided above
