Review Aspire Lounge Amsterdam: spectacular runway view
On my flight to Phuket with Singapore Airline, I visited this lounge, one of the few open at the airport [...]
AMS
Recommended by TFC
On the occasion of my flight to Phuket with Singapore Airline, I visited this lounge, one of the few open at the Dutch airport, at apart from the official KLM ones.
The lounge is located in the non-Shengen area of Amsterdam Airport and, in addition to being open to the Priority Pass card holders and Buddy lounge, is used by many companies for their business and elite customers.
American Express holders can then use this lounge for free by also bringing guests.
The location
After passing the security checkpoints, you need to head to piers B,C and D, following the signs for the lounges.
The hall is in the central area, the food court area of the terminal on the third floor, right above a Starbucks. The entrance is slightly hidden, but abundantly marked.
To reach the lounge one must then take an elevator to the third floor. A floor that houses not only the Aspire lounge but also the British Airways lounge, unfortunately closed like virtually all BA lounges outside England.
A pity because this is also one of the few BA lounges accessible to Priority Pass holders.
The lounge
Because it is a lounge open to so many types of passengers, it is normal to find it crowded even in a low-traffic environment such as we have had in recent months. When I arrived, I had a queue of about 10 people in front of me.
There is no differentiated route between elite/business passengers or those with cards granting access to VIP lounges.
The hall is not huge, certainly appropriate for the times, but in the former world I really think it was going pretty badly.
The best thing is definitely the view of the runway and the fingers. Being the non-Shengen flight area, it was a pleasure to watch all those Delta and KLM wide bodies getting ready to take off to long-haul destinations.
Various types of seating and many power outlets available to guests. Unfortunately, no announcements are made in the lounge, so you have to set your alarm clock: if your flight leaves -- as in my case -- from Pier G, it's almost a 20-minute walk to the opposite side of the terminal.
Food & Beverage
Having visited the hall during breakfast hours, I must say that the food offerings were not very exciting.
Minimal hot items offered, just some pancakes, and a few croissants. As you can see no QR code, as in other lounges, but good old buffet self-service.
Classic automatic machine for making hot drinks and refrigerator for cold ones, with the ever-present Heineken beer tap.
In conclusion
Since all the lounges of the various companies (KLM excluded) are closed, it's a great place to get something to eat while waiting for your flight. Of course, considering that it is also the flagship lounge for many airlines, I expected at least an area reserved for elite passengers and not having to hunt for a place to sit.
All buffet service, as in the world before, again I think we should make up our minds. Self service yes/no, table service yes/no, in each case half a point more just because the lounge was open and accessible, if we think that even today at Malpensa all lounges in the Schengen area are closed and all Alitalia lounges are barred.
Pro
- The view from above on the runway
- It is open
Against
- Little food
- Little cleanliness
- Queue at the entrance