Hotel in Schipol

Q: My parents have booked flights to Glasgow in December but the trip back includes a 15 hour wait at Amsterdam airport from 7pm to 10am the following day. Are there any hotels within the airport so one may sleep without having to obtain a visa? Or is there anything affordable (but clean) nearby? - Dina Mannix

A; There is a hotel within the transit area at Schipol Airport Amsterdam, so this would be perfect for your parents as they would not have to get a visa for the stopover. The hotel is the Mercure Schiphol Terminal and it is located in lounge three of the terminal. Be very careful not to confuse it with the Mercure Amsterdam Airport, which is located on the outskirts of Amserdam city. Rooms at the Mercure Schiphol Terminal are small and do not have windows, but are suitable for an overnight stop. The hotel only has 33 rooms, all non-smoking, so you need to book as early as possible to ensure you get a reservation. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, free internet access a 24-hour snack service. Room rates range from 80-100 Euros per night – the room should be available to them from 8pm to 9am. Book with www.accorhotels.com or www.mercure.com. You can call the hotel on telephone number +31-20-6041339. (7/11/10)