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Disclaimer: This flight was at the very end of December 2019 as part of my, and my “BRU boys”, Delta elite mileage run to keep my Diamond status with Delta for 2020.
With that, on to the review:
I have spent a lot of time in the old Amsterdam #52 lounge either on my way to somewhere in Europe or on the way home. The upgraded entrance to the new lounge is a stunning use of Delft houses you get as a souvenir on international business class flights.
At the top of the stairs, you can go left or right to enter the lounge and have a number of automated check-in stands as well as reps to help you with hand scanners.
While the old lounge seemed large – this one just seems massively bigger but that could just be my perception.
No matter what part of the lounge you are in it has an open, large feel to it. They have really embraced the modern open concept feel.
With so much space directions of where to go is helpful and to remind you where you may have left things i.e. in a locker.
Bold. Modern. Even Scandinavian design is what struck me as I walked about.
Even the cubicle private work area is somehow tied in with the open feel. Not a bad thing mind you just an observation.
Pre and Post COVID the tight but numerous dining tables work and are appreciated.
The movie “room” looked a bit uncomfortable and was not running anything when I visited.
There is a blocked off smoking room [update: this may be closed permanently due to new EU laws]. I simply don’t get having this in 2020 and beyond.
On to my biggest gripe over this club with a bunch of photos in a row:
Being such a large space there is lots of room for seating. I tried them all. The above is some of the worst EVER seats I have ever plunked myself into. I hated them all.
This may look cool but I would not want to spend much time in these cubicles either. The ONLY comfortable seats in the place were these four grey and blue molded ones:
They are toward the back of the lounge near where you enter the shower area (I would look for them if I were you). On to the many locations for food and drinks (again buffets pre-COVID19):
Clearly my visit was during breakfast time but I was impressed with most of the offerings other than the eggs that were made and presented “fresh”-ish in a paper cup. Very odd. Next up a neat feature that I would not visit until COVID is history – the VR room:
This was my first time testing “real” VR and I found it really neat. I think kids would have more fun in here than adults, but if you have never tried it – make the time during your visit.
The next set of stairs may look like ones you entered the club but the they take you up to the pay for play top of the club (what a dumb idea).
I despise paying for anything once I enter any lounge in regard to food and beverage. I think they should be part of the price to enter (disclaimer: I am fine with an up-charge for spa type treatments like at the MEX Centurion or others – BTW Delta dumped their spa experiment in the Sky Clubs – even SCRUBBING just about any mention on their websites!).
Want to also overpay for airport food after entrance to the lunge? They make that available to you and even in semi private rooms.
Overall this is a mega upgrade over the old club. The showers are tiny and hot (like the old ones) but are free. They have sleeping rooms (new) and they cost a fortune by the hour. This is also a much nicer club than the one you visit once you pass passport control to enter the EU that seems very dated now and if you have the time you could visit here before you go to your next flight but keep in mind it can take ( or at least it did pre-COVID ) a very long time to get from this club through passport control and to your final gate.
Have you visited this new KLM lounge? Questions about getting in or open times? You can find them here on the KLM website.
Were you impressed with this new club? Let us know! – René
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Good to see that you’re back in the air again! This really is the golden age of travel.
@Mitch – Please re-read the first few lines in the post. Personally I doubt I will be on a jet until it is safe (and enjoyable) again – maybe by next summer or early fall of 2021.
Just flew through Schiphol and visited this lounge a week ago. Very nice respite during COVID. Less food options of course, but there were hot options still, and lots of space between people for social distancing. Love the European coffee. Now I’m vacationing and working from Turkey. Highly recommend doing this for American travelers who can work remotely. Will be visiting this lounge on the way back through Schiphol on our return in a couple of weeks. People are being safe and we feel safe too.
René ,Did you travel on the NCL Encore for the trans Atlantic cruise , I was on that cruise Nov 2 from Southampton to NYC
@George – No. Epic again in Haven.
This is a terrific and thorough review! I’ve visited the new Crown Lounge 52 a couple of times. I must say it is easily the best lounge makeover I’ve ever seen! I love architectural features like the entrance, “waterfall” staircase, loft bar area, and non linear lines, if that makes sense. Not to mention better food and improved location. KLM out did itself with this one. The only fail is no toilets in shower rooms.
@john – Agree on the lack of toilets in the shower rooms. Then again, as small as they are, where would you put one!