Boris

I'm going to be flying in and out of Amsterdam, and would like
recommendations for a hotel near the airport. I will have a group of
six people total. We would like someplace with a possibility for
early check-in, as we will arrive around noon, and would like to get a
shower after being on the plane all night. I also don't want to spend
a fortune on these accomodations. Am I asking for too much?

Thanks,

Boris

Jcoulter

[email protected] (Boris) wrote in news:fafe1bc0.0408011543.279d06b6
@posting.google.com:

    > I'm going to be flying in and out of Amsterdam, and would like
    > recommendations for a hotel near the airport. I will have a group of
    > six people total. We would like someplace with a possibility for
    > early check-in, as we will arrive around noon, and would like to get a
    > shower after being on the plane all night. I also don't want to spend
    > a fortune on these accomodations. Am I asking for too much?
    >
    > Thanks,
    >
    > Boris
    >

there is a Mercure in the terminal. www.mercure.com

Donald Newcomb

"Boris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > I'm going to be flying in and out of Amsterdam, and would like
    > recommendations for a hotel near the airport. I will have a group of
    > six people total. We would like someplace with a possibility for
    > early check-in, as we will arrive around noon, and would like to get a
    > shower after being on the plane all night. I also don't want to spend
    > a fortune on these accomodations. Am I asking for too much?

Been there, done that; but only once. There are several of the usual brands
near the airport with free shuttles (e.g Tulip Inn). However, after staying
there once, I decided it was far better to take the train into Amsterdam or
anywhere else and stay near something interesting. The way to beat jet-lag
is to get up and get going in the new time-zone, not to hang around some
hotel watching CNN. For a while, I was flying through Schiphol frequently
and started calling my lay-overs, the Netherlands one-day-at-a-time-plan.
I've seen Amsterdam several times and Haarlam and The Hague once each. I
really like The Hague.

--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net

Gg

"jcoulter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > [email protected] (Boris) wrote in news:fafe1bc0.0408011543.279d06b6
    > @posting.google.com:
    > > I'm going to be flying in and out of Amsterdam, and would like
    > > recommendations for a hotel near the airport. I will have a group of
    > > six people total. We would like someplace with a possibility for
    > > early check-in, as we will arrive around noon, and would like to get a
    > > shower after being on the plane all night. I also don't want to spend
    > > a fortune on these accomodations. Am I asking for too much?
    > >
    > > Thanks,
    > >
    > > Boris
    > >
    > there is a Mercure in the terminal. www.mercure.com

I've stayed at the Ibis at the airport which was convenient and reasonably
priced. www.ibishotel.com

GG

Deep Flawed Muslim

"Donald Newcomb" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
    > "Boris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > I'm going to be flying in and out of Amsterdam, and would like
    > > recommendations for a hotel near the airport. I will have a group of
    > > six people total. We would like someplace with a possibility for
    > > early check-in, as we will arrive around noon, and would like to get a
    > > shower after being on the plane all night. I also don't want to spend
    > > a fortune on these accomodations. Am I asking for too much?
    >
    > Been there, done that; but only once. There are several of the usual brands
    > near the airport with free shuttles (e.g Tulip Inn). However, after staying
    > there once, I decided it was far better to take the train into Amsterdam or
    > anywhere else and stay near something interesting. The way to beat jet-lag
    > is to get up and get going in the new time-zone, not to hang around some
    > hotel watching CNN. For a while, I was flying through Schiphol frequently
    > and started calling my lay-overs, the Netherlands one-day-at-a-time-plan.
    > I've seen Amsterdam several times and Haarlam and The Hague once each. I
    > really like The Hague.

I agree with this post. It's so easy to get into the centre of
Amsterdam, and have a much better selection of
hotels/restaurants/sights than to hang around Schiphol.
---
DFM

Boris

Thanks to all who responded.

I'll look into your suggestions, and appreciate the input.

One follow up question, does anyone have any experience using the
local tourist information service, and if so, where does one find this
service?

Thanks again,

Boris

Miss L. Toe

"Boris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Thanks to all who responded.
    > I'll look into your suggestions, and appreciate the input.
    > One follow up question, does anyone have any experience using the
    > local tourist information service, and if so, where does one find this
    > service?

I used the big board with direct phones many years ago - which I think was
in the Airport - I went for a cheap place - and got what I paid for !!!

The BIG disadvantage is that you cant check out the place on-line before you
book.

Never again :-)

I think there is also a hotel booking place at Amsterdam centraal station
(but I might be wrong).

A.Spencer3

"Miss L. Toe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "Boris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Thanks to all who responded.
    > >
    > > I'll look into your suggestions, and appreciate the input.
    > >
    > > One follow up question, does anyone have any experience using the
    > > local tourist information service, and if so, where does one find this
    > > service?
    > >
    > I used the big board with direct phones many years ago - which I think was
    > in the Airport - I went for a cheap place - and got what I paid for !!!
    > The BIG disadvantage is that you cant check out the place on-line before
you
    > book.
    > Never again :-)
    > I think there is also a hotel booking place at Amsterdam centraal station
    > (but I might be wrong).
Some years since I've been there, but 'VVV' stalls used to be all over the
place - including outside Amsterdam Centraal - which deal very well indeed
with all tourist needs.

Surreyman

PJ O'Donovan

[email protected] (Boris) wrote in message news:<[email protected]. com>...
    > I'm going to be flying in and out of Amsterdam, and would like
    > recommendations for a hotel near the airport. I will have a group of
    > six people total. We would like someplace with a possibility for
    > early check-in, as we will arrive around noon, and would like to get a
    > shower after being on the plane all night. I also don't want to spend
    > a fortune on these accomodations. Am I asking for too much?
    >
    > Thanks,
    >
    > Boris

I always stay at Schiphol Hilton on arrival from the states and prior
to departure. It is not cheap but very convenient.

The concierge there makes arrangement to have my rental car picked up
in the hotel parking lot by the rental co. I have inquired at other
airport hotels in Europe about the possibilty of this service only to
be greeted with a look of indigestion by the person I am asking and
then followed by a quick busy, busy
action doing other things.
It is not cheap but very convenient

Boris

I'm just a little confused...where I live, if I were to travel into
the heart of the city (Minneapolis, Minnesota), I would be stuck
choosing from several expensive high rise business hotels. Is the
European city lodging situation different?

I'll confess that I've been reading the Rick Steeve's "Europe through
the back door" series, and he emphasizes the smaller family hotels in
smaller towns. I'm looking at that type of lodging for the majority
of the trip, but not necessarily for the first night in Amsterdam.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

From what I've seen, the ACCOR chain of hotels has lots to offer...but
they also operate the American chains of Motel 6 and Red Roof Inns
(low budget, cheap sleeps). That may not be a bad option for us.

Boris

Sjoerd

"Boris" <[email protected]> schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
    > I'm just a little confused...where I live, if I were to travel into
    > the heart of the city (Minneapolis, Minnesota), I would be stuck
    > choosing from several expensive high rise business hotels. Is the
    > European city lodging situation different?

*Very* different. Most European hotels have something that most American
hotels lack completely: local atmosphere. In America, most hotels are
comfortable but completely void of any charm and/or atmosphere. In Europe,
hotels have varying degrees of "comfortableness" (from extremely comfortable
to somewhat primitive), but they compensate to have a lot of atmosphere.
Near airports, you are likely to find boring, American style, comfortable
hotels. In city centers, there are lots of places to choose from.
    > I'll confess that I've been reading the Rick Steeve's "Europe through
    > the back door" series, and he emphasizes the smaller family hotels in
    > smaller towns. I'm looking at that type of lodging for the majority
    > of the trip, but not necessarily for the first night in Amsterdam.
    > Thanks for the suggestions so far.
    > From what I've seen, the ACCOR chain of hotels has lots to offer...but
    > they also operate the American chains of Motel 6 and Red Roof Inns
    > (low budget, cheap sleeps). That may not be a bad option for us.

For holiday travel, I'd avoid the big chain hotels. Too boring.

Sjoerd

Jcoulter

[email protected] (Boris) wrote in news:fafe1bc0.0408021117.692d1f28
@posting.google.com:

    > I'm just a little confused...where I live, if I were to travel into
    > the heart of the city (Minneapolis, Minnesota), I would be stuck
    > choosing from several expensive high rise business hotels. Is the
    > European city lodging situation different?
    >
    > I'll confess that I've been reading the Rick Steeve's "Europe through
    > the back door" series, and he emphasizes the smaller family hotels in
    > smaller towns. I'm looking at that type of lodging for the majority
    > of the trip, but not necessarily for the first night in Amsterdam.
Unless you really like the primitive or at least austere low budget aspect
of travel I would avoid anything that Steves finds to his liking. The man
honestly is seen in his video on the Cinqu Terre in Italy lying in a saggy
bed claiming that the bed might not be the best, but it is cheap. God help
you if you already have a bad back.

Accor'shotels get better as you go up the line. I try not to drop below
Mercure and find Sofitel to meet expectations for a premium hotel.

John Bermont

GG wrote:

    > "jcoulter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >
    >>[email protected] (Boris) wrote in news:fafe1bc0.0408011543.279d06b6
    >>@posting.google.com:
    >>>I'm going to be flying in and out of Amsterdam, and would like
    >>>recommendations for a hotel near the airport. I will have a group of
    >>>six people total. We would like someplace with a possibility for
    >>>early check-in, as we will arrive around noon, and would like to get a
    >>>shower after being on the plane all night. I also don't want to spend
    >>>a fortune on these accomodations. Am I asking for too much?
    >>>Thanks,
    >>>Boris
    >>there is a Mercure in the terminal. www.mercure.com
    >
    >
    > I've stayed at the Ibis at the airport which was convenient and reasonably
    > priced. www.ibishotel.com
    >
    > GG
    >
    >
There is also an Ibis at Amsterdam Centraal Station. You will enjoy your
stay much more with a hotel in the city rather than at the airport. Take
the train to town for a total transit time of about 20 minutes with 6 or
7 departures per hour from Schiphol.
John Bermont
--
------------------------------------------------------
* * * Mastering Independent Budget Travel * * *
http://www.enjoy-europe.com/
------------------------------------------------------

Gg

"John Bermont" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > GG wrote:
    > > "jcoulter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > > news:[email protected]...
    > >
    > >>[email protected] (Boris) wrote in news:fafe1bc0.0408011543.279d06b6
    > >>@posting.google.com:
    > >>
    > >>
    > >>>I'm going to be flying in and out of Amsterdam, and would like
    > >>>recommendations for a hotel near the airport. I will have a group of
    > >>>six people total. We would like someplace with a possibility for
    > >>>early check-in, as we will arrive around noon, and would like to get a
    > >>>shower after being on the plane all night. I also don't want to spend
    > >>>a fortune on these accomodations. Am I asking for too much?
    > >>>
    > >>>Thanks,
    > >>>
    > >>>Boris
    > >>>
    > >>
    > >>there is a Mercure in the terminal. www.mercure.com
    > >
    > >
    > > I've stayed at the Ibis at the airport which was convenient and
reasonably
    > > priced. www.ibishotel.com
    > >
    > > GG
    > >
    > >
    > There is also an Ibis at Amsterdam Centraal Station. You will enjoy your
    > stay much more with a hotel in the city rather than at the airport. Take
    > the train to town for a total transit time of about 20 minutes with 6 or
    > 7 departures per hour from Schiphol.
    > John Bermont
    > --
    > ------------------------------------------------------
    > * * * Mastering Independent Budget Travel * * *
    > http://www.enjoy-europe.com/
    > ------------------------------------------------------
The Ibis shuttle bus I took to the airport hotel also took people into town
to the Ibis there. The bus probably takes a little longer than the train,
but it would be convenient being dropped right at the hotel. I think there
might have been a charge for the bus, but not sure. My overnight stay was
just that - arrive at 5:30 p.m., leave early the following morning. I
considered riding the bus in to the in-town lbis and walking around for a
couple of hours, but the weather was bad so I didn't.
GG

Donald Newcomb

"jcoulter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > [email protected] (Boris) wrote in news:fafe1bc0.0408021117.692d1f28
    > @posting.google.com:
    > Unless you really like the primitive or at least austere low budget aspect
    > of travel I would avoid anything that Steves finds to his liking. The man
    > honestly is seen in his video on the Cinqu Terre in Italy lying in a saggy
    > bed claiming that the bed might not be the best, but it is cheap. God help
    > you if you already have a bad back.

It takes all kinds to make a world. Once when I was searching for an
affordable hotel in Venice, one relative told me to just forget it and stay
in the Gritti Palace. "After all, it's only money." Other friends and
relations related how they toured Italy staying mostly in convents and
monasteries. I tend to prefer small quirky hotels and private B&Bs. There's
something I find unpleasant about a hotel where every room is the same. I
have learned from experience that the wife definitely has a limit to how low
down the scale she will go. It has to have at least a private shower &
toilet.

--
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net