As a frequent traveler through the Amsterdam Schiphol airport I have had occasion to stay at a variety of on campus and off campus hotels in order to catch the morning flights. Most recently taking the chance to stay at the
citizenM. The building is just off the terminal 3 arrivals area and is a reasonable walk from the terminal to the hotel entrance. Booking is done quite easily online and checking in is even easier.
When arriving in the Hotel there are a number of computer kiosks awaiting you, where you can use a variety of ways to identify yourself to the booking program. Once it recognizes you it prompts you to wave an RFID key in front of the sensor. This key comes pre-punched to attached as a luggage tag. In this way you can insure that you will not add to that collection of old hotel keys that you wind up with after a few weeks on the road, and the hotel can actually try to reduce its key costs. Don't sweat it if you need help loggin in, the staff is prompt to check if you are OK, and mindful to back off if you are doing fine.
The hotel has a surprising number of rooms for the size of the hotel building (245). However, you quickly see why when you enter the room. They are quite efficiently jammed into the space. This is not a downside though, as the room while small has everything you actually need. The bed is the full width of the room (it may be larger than an American King size); the shower, sink, and toilet are interestingly designed into the space.
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| StringGirl and Amber just inside the door to the room |
The room is a little "
Tardis"-like regarding its internal dimensions. From the outside of the room it would seem that the space is impossibly small to contain
what is inside. The
14m2 (square meter, 150 Sq. ft) to contain a king size bed, shower, sink, toilet, desk, TV, lamp, nightstand and closet. The cylindrical shower and toilet stall with translucent sliding glass enclosures create the appearance of space tat otherwise would have been ruined by the creation of the "mini" corridor that usually greets you as you enter the typical hotel room.
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| Amber really should have closed the tubular toilet stall doors before posing for this pic |
Ventilation in the toilet stall starts when the doors are engaged and continue after the doors open, quietly and efficiently airing out the room. The adjacent sink has a pillar mounted vanity and full length mirror that rotates for your use. Universal power stations are mounted in the vanity,reducing the need for bulky adapters.
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| The tubular shower stall features a rainfall shower head and handheld wand |
The shower and toilet are contained in Tube that can be opened and closed as needed for your modesty and a large curtain can separate the bed area from the bath area. The shower is actually quite spacious despite this arrangement. Many higher end hotels and euro-resorts we have stayed at feature much more cramped and ill conceived showers. This shower was great. don't worry the shower mechanism does not work if the door the cylinder is not closed properly.
From the bed the room looks quite large and their is no feeling of claustrophobia that is experienced in other similar or even larger discount hotel rooms. When I compare the room to a hotel I use frequently the Accor property IBIS in Zurich West. The rooms are clearly smaller at the CitizenM but leaves one with a feeling of more floor space. in fact it seems that the buildins are very similar in size, but citizenM has nearly twice as many rooms, but I never felt cramped.
Huge windows of highly insulated glass let the light of the world come in but not the sound. Power controlled blinds (horizontal louvers and an opaque drop down screen ensure that you get as little or as much sun as you wish (weather permitting).
The lobby spaces and publinc areas are inviting and trendy. Colorful with great amenities. The computer area is fully stocked with iMac workstations and free internet access. Books and other entertainments line the bookcases in the adjacent lounge.
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| Bored? read a book or play a game |
If you are hungry the canteenM is a 24 hour convenience store located in the lobby that offers hot and cold food, fresh and packaged, with drinks and most hours a barrista.
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| if you are lonely, each room does come with Marvin ; a custom made doll placed in each room who if you take him with you is charged to your room. |
I will be staying in the citizenM again &again; whenever it is available for me. I have not had a better experience from any airport hotel, and never so conveniently.
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