For the next portion my trip to Zimbabwe, it was time to fly from Amsterdam to Johannesburg in KLM’s Boeing 777 business class. Prior to my flight, I had the chance to check out the KLM Crown Lounge 52, which is KLM’s flagship, non-Schengen lounge at its Amsterdam Schiphol hub.
In my opinion, this is one of the best business class lounges in Europe at a carrier’s hub. It has a fun and quirky design, a huge variety of seating options, barista coffee, a beautiful bar and restaurant area, shower suites, an outdoor terrace, and even sleep cabins (available for a fee).
However, the lounge also isn’t perfect, and has some quirks. The complimentary food selection won’t knock your socks off, the lounge can get slammed during peak periods, and the current execution of the paid food and drink options makes little sense. Still, those are minor points in the scheme of things. Let’s get into the review.
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam location
There are two KLM Crown Lounges in Amsterdam, with one being in the Schengen area, and one being in the non-Schengen area, and in this post I’ll be reviewing the former. To get to the non-Schengen lounge, you’ll first have to clear security and then passport control.
Lounges in the terminal have numbers, and the KLM Crown Lounge is airline lounge 52 (which is why it’s often referred to as the KLM Crown Lounge 52). So just follow the signage in that direction.
From the center part of the terminal, it’s maybe a five minute walk to the KLM Crown Lounge, and the entrance is on the right. The lounge is one level above the terminal, so you can either take an elevator or escalator.
It’s hard to miss the entrance, thanks to the hundreds of KLM Delft Blue Dutch Houses that are arranged along the escalator.
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam hours
The KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam is currently open daily from 4:45AM until 10PM, covering all SkyTeam departures from the terminal.
I was impressed by how early the lounge opened, since the first non-Schengen SkyTeam departure on the day of my visit was at 7AM. I arrived at the lounge right as it opened, and had it to myself for around 30 minutes.
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam entry requirements
The KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam is a standard SkyTeam business class lounge. It can be accessed by all departing SkyTeam business class passengers without a guest, and it can be accessed by SkyTeam Elite Plus members departing on a SkyTeam flight with one guest.
The lounge has automated gates as you enter, so you can basically scan yourself in. There are still KLM staff there, should you need any help.
All KLM passengers who don’t receive lounge privileges with their ticket can purchase access. This can either be done through the booking management tool ahead of your flight, or at the door. I believe the standard fee is €65 per person, though a discount is available if you purchase access in advance. Note that this lounge doesn’t belong to Priority Pass.
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam seating & layout
The KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam is gargantuan. It’s 6,800 square meters (around 73,000 square feet), and is spread across two levels, with seating for well over 1,000 guests. Aside from some lounges in the Gulf region (like the Emirates Business Lounge or Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge), I can’t think of many other lounges that are bigger than this, so the scale of this place sure impresses.
The lounge is broken up into five zones, each of which is named, though I imagine most people don’t even realize that. The lounge has:
- The Polder area, designed for eating, drinking, and working
- The Dutch Mountain area, designed for entertainment
- The City area, also designed for eating and drinking
- The Sea area, designed for recharging, resting, and sleeping
- The Sky area, which is the upper level, and it’s where you’ll find the Blue Bar, Blue Restaurant, and terrace
Let’s start by taking a look at the first level, and then in the next section I’ll take a look at the second level. The first level is essentially a massive rectangular room that’s broken up into many different zones. You’ve gotta appreciate the sheer number of options you have in terms of where to sit. I think the below picture should put into perspective just how long this lounge is.
Let’s just start around the center of the lounge, where you’ll find a variety of couches, chairs, high-top communal seating, chairs facing the windows, etc.
As you approach one end of the lounge, you’ll find yourself in one of the main dining areas, which has endless seating. This end of the lounge curves, and essentially turns into a circular area, with everything from dining tables, to communal tables, to booths, and more.
There’s even a themed Heineken bar area, should you want to grab a drink, which is a concept that I’m sure many beer drinkers will appreciate.
Near this end of the lounge, there’s a set of stairs that go up a level, leading to the the showers and the sleeping cabins. This area has additional seating, and often this part of the lounge remains a bit quieter than the rest of the lounge, since many people don’t otherwise walk this far.
At the other end of the lounge you’ll find the Dutch Mountain area. This offers a tiered seating arrangement, which doesn’t at all feel like your typical lounge design. Aesthetically I love this concept, though it’s not particularly practical for an airport lounge, since you have to walk up and down stairs with your luggage.
On the ground floor near the Dutch Mountain, you’ll find some more communal tables, as well as some individual semi-private offices. If you’re looking to be productive, I’d recommend snagging one of those, as it’s one of the best seating options if you’d like a desk.
The first floor also has a pretty cool display with all 100+ KLM Delft Blue Dutch Houses, which is fun, for those of us who are enthusiastic about these.
The main level also has a customer service desk, should you need help with any of your travels.
There are also some lockers in the lounge, should you want to store your belongings while visiting.
All-in-all, I love this lounge’s layout. One thing I should mention is that the lounge seems to have a bit of a mouse problem. I was the first guest in the lounge, and I’m pretty sure I was waking up all the mice as I walked through the lounge, as I saw no fewer than five running around, and that was without even trying to look.
In fairness, it’s not the lounge’s fault, as I saw the same thing in the terminal. And don’t even get me started on Frankfurt Airport…
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam Blue Bar & Restaurant
Okay, so here’s where the lounge gets a bit odd. The entire second level of the lounge (referred to as “Sky”) is the Blue Bar and Blue Restaurant. Going back several years, the Blue Bar was open to all, while the idea was that the Blue Restaurant would offer premium meals at a cost. It’s of course unconventional to see an airport lounge have a paid restaurant in it, but that’s exactly what KLM was going for.
Well, that’s not how the execution works, at least for now. The entire upper level is open to everyone, so you can sit wherever you’d like. You can help yourself to all the complimentary food and drinks that are available (primarily on the first floor), or there’s a menu you can order off of, with food and drinks for purchase.
The nice thing about the upper level is that it stays way quieter than the lower level, since most people don’t venture up there.
Let’s start with Blue Bar. While you can sit here whenever you’d like, the bar area is staffed from 7AM until 5PM, so that’s when it’s most popular. Outside of those hours, there are no food or drink options on this level.
At Blue Bar, you can either sit at the bar, in small seating areas separated by curtains near the bar, or on one of the comfortable couches. This is a great part of the lounge, though be aware that outlets can be tough to come by up here.
Then there’s Blue Restaurant, where technically you’re only supposed to sit between 7AM and 4PM, though there’s not really anyone enforcing that. While this was a restaurant at some point, that’s no longer the case, and it’s not like there’s table service. Rather it’s just something that looks like a restaurant, where you can sit.
Nonetheless, what a gorgeous space this is, and it’s absolutely where I’d recommend spending your time. Since this concept seems to confuse people, most people don’t bother sitting here.
The upper level of the lounge also has an outdoor terrace, though unfortunately it was closed during my visit, due to weather. The upper level of the lounge has much better views of the apron than the lower level, as there’s a jet bridge blocking much of the view on the lower level.
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam food & drinks
What should you expect in terms of food and drinks at the KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam? As a coffee lover, let me start with my single favorite feature, which is barista coffee.
There’s a menu with all kinds of drinks you can order, and there are also some sweets you can help yourself to.
I ordered a cappuccino, which was excellent.
The lower level of the lounge has a couple of self-serve buffets, which have largely similar things.
I visited during breakfast, and cold options included fresh fruit, yogurt, muesli, cereal, cold cuts, pastries, croissants, and hardboiled eggs, among other things.
Hot options included scrambled eggs, baked beans, chicken bacon, veal sausage, potatoes, mushrooms, pancakes, and a couple of types of soup.
Throughout the lounge, you’ll find self-serve drink stations, with machine coffee, tea, soda, and water.
There’s a bar on the first floor of the lounge, though personally I’d recommend going to the second floor to the Blue Bar, where you’ll find a much larger selection.
Below you can find the food menu that’s available at Blue Bar and Blue Restaurant, all of which is available for purchase. You can be served this anywhere on the second floor, regardless of where you choose to sit (and “served” may be a strong word — you have to go to the bar to place an order, and then they’ll bring the dishes to your seat).
Then below you can find the drink list, which has both complimentary drinks and drinks for purchase.
I can’t help but think that this concept comes across as pretty cheap. Sure, sell premium alcohol, but charging for cranberry juice and San Pellegrino?
I figured I should try some of the paid food options in the lounge, just to see what they’re like. So I went up to the bar to place my order. I first had the Asian crispy shrimp served with sweet chili sauce.
I then also had the homemade dips with crostini, including spicy mango hummus, tomato chutney, pesto, tapenade tricolore, and grilled mixed vegetables.
While I didn’t have it, I couldn’t help but snap a picture of the KLM House dessert that was available for purchase.
Honestly, I thought the food was… fine? I really think KLM needs to figure out what to do with Blue Bar & Restaurant. Either make it something free and awesome that will have a halo effect for the airline, or make it something paid that’s actually special.
But currently the second level just leads to confusion, in my opinion, especially the restaurant area. Furthermore, charging for cranberry juice and crispy shrimp that I’d expect to find at a Sheraton club lounge buffet is just puzzling to me.
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam bathrooms & showers
The KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam has plenty of bathroom capacity. The biggest bathrooms are near the entrance, and the men’s room has sinks, stalls, and urinals.
The lounge also has several shower suites, with an unconventional reservations system. Rather than there being a person who takes shower suite reservations, you instead go up to a machine and scan your boarding pass.
You can then select when you’d like to shower, and then when it’s time for your shower, you’ll be emailed a QR code that will unlock the door to the shower suite. I’ve gotta say, it’s a pretty efficient system!
Now, the shower rooms as such are basic, and most of them don’t even have private toilets. So the shower suite just has a sink and a walk-in shower with unbranded toiletries. This will absolutely do the trick, but don’t expect anything too luxurious.
KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam sleep cabins
Here’s a paid lounge concept that I adore. The KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam has sleep cabins that you can reserve at a cost. You can reserve them either day of, or even in advance at this link. Each sleep cabin is for one person, and has the following cost:
- Two hours costs €39
- Three hours costs €49.50
- Four hours costs €65
- Five hours costs €75
The sleep cabins are located in the back of the lounge past the shower suites.
Each sleep cabin has a comfortable bed with proper bedding, a TV, and a sink.
I love this concept, and wish we’d see more airlines offer this. Let’s be honest — if this were free, it would be impossible to get a reservation. But if you have a long travel day, a couple of hours in a real bed can make a world of difference, and this is such a convenient way to do that.
So while it’s of course nice when lounges offer proper bedrooms at no extra cost, I think this is perfect for a business class lounge, given that anyone with lounge access can buy access to these.
Bottom line
The KLM Crown Lounge is an impressive business class lounge, and if you ask me, it beats just about every other hub lounge in Europe, perhaps with the exception of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
This lounge is massive, with a fun design that offers varied seating, a pretty good selection of food, barista coffee, sleep cabins at a cost, shower suites, and more.
Now, this lounge isn’t perfect — the food isn’t that exciting, I wish the shower suites had toilets as well, and the Blue Bar & Restaurant concept needs reworking. The lounge can also get busy during peak periods, but which hub business class lounge doesn’t?
All things considered, I’d say this is a great lounge, and I’d take this any day over a British Airways Galleries Lounge, Lufthansa Business Lounge, SWISS Business Lounge, etc.
What’s your take on the KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam?
