Using airport hotels to visit Amsterdam

Airport hotels tend to be boring, and airports tend to be noisy. Hotels in Amsterdam can be expensive, but if you're looking for something cheaper maybe Haarlem can be a better option.

Stay in charming Haarlem and take the train in. It's like commuting in from the suburbs.

Yes we have on a few occasions in the past year. However, in addition to going into Amsterdam for a day (we have been there a few times already), we opted to also do some other day trips to Leiden and Den Haag. The Schiphol train station is very convenient for travelling in every direction which is why we have opted to do this. With regular 1-3 day layovers in Schiphol after our KLM flights, we are gradually seeing other parts of the Netherlands in addition to our travel beyond. If you are only wanting to spend your days in Amsterdam, it may be best to stay there; the transportation system is excellent so you could consider some more affordable options that are not necessarily in central Amsterdam.

We were just there last week.

Stayed at the Hilton. There is also a Sheraton. Both are connected to the airport. Super easy to get to Amsterdam on the frequent trains that leave from Schiphol. You can buy a day pass for 18 euros that gets you back and forth as well as trams around the city. I think there are busses, too, but we ended up walking everywhere.

Frankly, I wouldn’t stay in the city. I think Amsterdam has lost a step. There was a lot of trash in the streets especially near the red light district and tourist corridor along that area. The train is 15 minutes each way.

Also in the transportation hub is a grocery store that is well stocked with lots of different items. Prices were fine and not the usual airport gouge. All the airline people were loading up on stuff there, as well as passengers. Good stuff to take back to the hotel if you want snacks and such.

If you want to stay at the airport, I would recommend to only stay at one of the three hotels that are actually located at the airport; Hilton, Sheraton or Citizen M. There are plenty of other hotels that like to call themselves “airport hotel”, but are actually nowhere near the airport. In order to get from these hotels to the city, you would first need to take the hotel shuttle to the airport followed by bus or train into the city.
You can also look into staying in Leiden or Haarlem. However if your goal is to visit Amsterdam every day of your stay here, it might indeed be best to bite the bully and stay in the city.

I've stayed at XO Hotel Park West twice and the prices were reasonable for Amsterdam. There is a tram stop directly outside the door of hotel that makes it fast and easy to get into Amsterdam.

Another option if you don't want to stay in Amsterdam but towards the airport is Sloterdijk. Hôtels there are cheaper, there is a train station right there (or a tram). I stayed once at the Mercure and it was way cheaper than my lodging later in the trip in Amsterdam.

Sloterdijk is between the airport and Amsterdam so it is a bit quicker to get to/from the airport from Sloterdijk. The Amsterdam airport trains all stop at Sloterdijk.

I would imagine that airport hotels are more expensive.

I usually stay at the airport--I'll be there for a week starting Wednesday. I've only stayed at the CitizenM, Sheraton, and Hilton that are in walking distance. The CitizenM is not for everyone--it's a small, pod-type room best for one person. The Hilton is the newest and nicest of the three, but it's more expensive. The hotels are not noisy, and the price compared with hotels in Amsterdam depends on the level of hotel. The Schiphol train station is very convenient for exploring in different directions, there are many shops in the terminal, and it's less stressful on flight day (I tend to take early flights.) It comes down to convenience vs. atmosphere.

Unless you have Hilton or Marriot points to burn up, or travel to accumulate thhotelsem, I think there are better places to stay then the airport.

Haarlem is a favorite of the RS crowd, and I have stayed there many times, but the Hotels near Sloterdijk Station are well located to both central Amsterdam and the airport (10-15 minutes to the airport, 5 to Centraal) and are a fraction of the price of central located hotels, and usually less than the airport.

Leiden is another great option, 15 minutes by train, 30 or so to Amsterdam Centraal. However, Leiden also has plenty to offer and a joy to stroll around in the evening

My goodness = thank you to all your knowledgeable replies. We have never been to Amsterdam, so all the information is wonderful. Lots to ponder. I love this website!