Since I got my Privium pass, I hardly ever visit Schengen lounges anymore.
A look at my flight statistics (and yes, I keep track via Flighty) shows that I have flown from Amsterdam 76 times. It’s somewhat surprising that I’m only now getting around to reviewing the KLM Crown Lounge 25, even though I’ve been a Flying Blue Platinum member for almost 10 years and could have visited the lounge regularly.
One of the reasons is undoubtedly my Privium membership. This allows me to quickly shuttle between Schengen and non-Schengen areas and also visit the larger lounges, both the Privium lounge and the KLM Crown Lounge 52.
KLM Lounge Schiphol
KLM has two lounges at Schiphol. One in the non-Schengen area, where you often depart if you’re flying intercontinental to places like Thailand, the United States, or Dubai, and a lounge in the Schengen area, especially if you’re flying to countries in the Schengen zone, such as France, Spain, Greece, etc.
In this review, we look at the KLM Crown Lounge 25, in the non-Schengen area, and I visit the lounge at a hectic moment. On the weekend we fly to Portugal, a beautiful white blanket of snow covers the Netherlands, causing the schedule at Schiphol to be completely disrupted.
Still, it’s not very busy in the lounge. There’s plenty of space to sit in one of the relaxing chairs or take a seat at a high table if you want to work.
Access KLM Crown Lounge 25
You can access the KLM Crown Lounge 25 in several ways. This can be through status with Flying Blue and/or another SkyTeam member in combination with a ticket from one of the SkyTeam members or a Business class or First Class ticket.
- First or Business Class
If you fly in First Class or Business Class with one of the SkyTeam members, you automatically get access to the lounge. - Skyteam Status
If you have gold or platinum status with one of the members of Skyteam and you fly with one of the Skyteam members, you also have access to the lounge.
Location KLM Crown Lounge 25 Schiphol
You will find the KLM Crown Lounge at the beginning of the D Pier – where the D-Gates start – on the first floor. You can now reach it via a marked shortcut from security or by following the signs to the D Gates.
Food & drink in the KLM Crown Lounge
Food and drink often disappoint me personally in the KLM Crown Lounge. Both in 25 and in 52 (the large lounge). There has been no variation for years and the quality is also mediocre.
Food
Because I have an early flight, breakfast is served in the lounge. This consists of slices of bread, pastries, poffertjes, hashbrowns, and fruit. I miss quark and yoghurt in this case, but they are often available too.
Drink
In terms of drinks, there is a lot of choice. You can choose from coffee and tea, soft drinks, water, but also various wines, cava, spirits, and beer on tap or a 0.0 from Heineken.
During my visit, there is a small bar with a coffee menu, where I can get a fresh coffee.
Working at Schiphol Airport
Working in the lounge is good. There are several high tables with sockets that you can use. Internet is also on the fast side at 110 Mbps.
Make sure you secure your connection with a VPN if you use the Crown Lounge’s wifi network.
Facilities KLM Crown Lounge 25
The KLM Crown Lounge is equipped with basic facilities. Because I didn’t have much time during my visit, I couldn’t take photos of all the facilities. This review will therefore be expanded and supplemented.
Showers
The lounge has showers. You can book these upon entry at the check-in desk or at the service point in the lounge. Based on the current state of the toilets, I assume the showers are clean.
The shower does not have its own toilet, but it does have amenities such as soap, shampoo, and of course a towel.
Toilets
The toilets are much better than before. Before I wrote reviews for Nomadmenu, I did visit the lounge more often and the toilets were often broken. That was not the case during my visit this time. All toilets were neat and worked excellently.
Conclusion KLM Crown Lounge 25
The KLM Crown Lounge 25 is an outdated lounge that personally doesn’t make me very happy. If you have the luxury of walking to the non-Schengen part of Schiphol with Privium, then the Privium Lounge and the KLM Crown Lounge 52 are much better alternatives.
Still, the lounge is better and tidier than it used to be. The toilets are clean and work. Although the latter is also the least you can expect.
It’s a shame that little effort seems to be made to retain customers. The food feels obligatory and the interior also feels in need of renewal.
