It’s been 2 months since I visited the KLM Lounge in Amsterdam, and I’m still having dreams about it. Yes, it was good, but not good enough to have a featured role in several vivid (and weird) dreams that I’ve had recently. What is happening to me?
More officially known as the Crown Lounge, KLM’s business class lounge at AMS is a beautiful 2-level retreat offering a wide variety of great food, even better drinks, and a near limitless supply of seating.
I ate well. I lounged (hardcore). I quite enjoyed my visit. I’d just prefer not to be dreaming about it like I have been, that’s all.
Where is the KLM Lounge located at AMS?
The Crown Lounge for international passengers is located between concourses E and F at AMS. A word of warning though: the exterior of it is very low-key for a lounge of this caliber. You’ll walk right by it if you’re not paying attention (as I did – which is becoming a regular thing for me).
The lounge is located on the second level, and requires taking an escalator or elevator to reach it.
Upon arrival on the second level, you can gain access by scanning your boarding pass at one of the kiosks. If that doesn’t work, then one of the friendly KLM lounge attendants standing at the entrance will be able to assist you.
The layout of the Amsterdam KLM Crown Lounge
This KLM lounge is broken up into two separate levels – which would have seemed really impressive to me if I hadn’t visited the Air France Salon Lounge at CDG earlier that morning, but it was a nice first impression nonetheless. This is a big lounge.
The lower level is where the majority of the food is located. There’s even a full bar on this level, but it’s not the place to be if all you want to do is drink.
The upper level is where the real bar is – and I found it to be a much quieter environment overall.
I’ve heard some people describe the layout of this lounge as being “mediocre,” but I don’t agree. Not all KLM lounges are created equal, but this one is broken up into different sections very well IMHO. Don’t believe me? Scroll through my review of the Munich Air France KLM Lounge to see something truly mediocre.
What is the seating like?
The seating in this Crown Lounge is tight, but varied. You’ll find everything from plush recliners to nap in, to diner-style booths for eating (and socializing).
It will likely be very difficult to get one of the more comfortable chairs due to how busy this lounge is throughout the day, but if you have patience, it’ll be worth the wait. Probably. I didn’t have patience.
The food (omg the food)
If the only thing you care about in an airport lounge is the food, this is a lounge you’re likely to enjoy (and it might be the reason I keep having dreams about it). The buffet is consolidated into one main area, but it’s broken up into several different sections.
Hot food is separated from cold food, and there are separate sections for things like bread and beverages. Speaking of beverages, I had a hard time trying to find water (of all things). After a bit of hunting around, I found a water dispenser adjacent to the coffee machine next to the bar.
How to get into the KLM Lounge at AMS
Getting into this KLM lounge is easy if you are flying business class on either KLM or any SkyTeam partner airline. I was flying KLM 777-200 business class to SFO, and lounge access was included in the price of the ticket. Other ways to get your foot (and hungry belly) through the door include:
- Being a KLM Flying Blue Platinum or Gold member
- Being a SkyTeam Elite Plus member
- Paying a 1 time €50 access fee (KLM Flying Blue members get a discounted rate).
Be sure to check the KLM website for the latest access requirements and fees.
Pros and cons of the AMS KLM Crown Lounge
Thinking back on it, my recurring dreams about this lounge likely had a lot to do with the fact that I found the food to be extremely satisfying. Like, extremely satisfying.
The lounge itself was ok. It wasn’t ugly. It wasn’t the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen either. However, a plate of meat and cheese hits me right in the feels when I’m really hungry, and I guess I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Pros
- The variety of food is excellent. They were serving breakfast while I was there, and they had pretty much all the bases covered. Eggs, potatoes, pancakes, cereal, fruit, meats, bread…they had something for everyone.
- It’s a huge floor plan. If you happen to end up next to a blabbermouth who just won’t get the hint from your evil stares, there will be plenty of other places within the lounge to retreat to.
- It’s a drinker’s paradise. The fully staffed bar on the lower level is impressive enough, but it’s the bar on the second level that wowed me the most. I was almost disappointed that I don’t drink.
Cons
- It’s a busy place. It’s so crowded most of the time that you’re likely to find more peace and quiet at an empty gate out in the main terminal.
Peter
Million-dollar question: Is this an exception to that article about why you hate airport lounges?
Personally, the impression I get from this review is that this is a “discount” version of the Air France Salon lounge. It’s just as big and the food is just as good, but the seating is more cramped and it’s less visually interesting (it still looks good though, if a bit off-brand in some places).
Scott (SANspotter)
Good question! Considering that I only stuck around to get pictures (and eat), I’d say that this was not an exception. I had a 4 hour layover at AMS that day, and I only spent about 45 minutes of it in the lounge.
It was certainly nice – but hanging out in the main terminal was far more interesting.
BigTee
Yes. It’s all that. Except that I left the upstairs bar room when a family of toddlers and crying babies set up camp on the couches there. I grabbed my alcohol beverage and found a more peaceful anteroom at the top of the stairs. I did not feel like going back for a refill.
Not the only time families with toddlers and babies decide to camp out at or immediately adjacent to a full liquor bar. Not exactly a business retreat or adult relaxation retreat lounge.
Scott (SANspotter)
That was the weirdest part of the lounge to me. Maybe it was because I was there before noon (and most people don’t drink at that time of day), but it was like a ghost town up there. I sure as heck didn’t see any families with kids, so thinking back on it, that’s probably where I should have hung out…