We're flying from the US to Nairobi in November and will have an overnight in Amsterdam on the way. Our flight arrives AMS at 9:05am and our flight the next day departs at 10:25am. Should I stay in central Amsterdam or at the airport? I'm leaning toward staying in town and would like to use my Marriott points.

Can someone tell me how long a taxi ride from AMS to the Marriott takes and the approx. fare (the Renaissance isn't available for our date)? I would prefer not to take the train + taxi. I also found a Connexxions bus that drops off at the Marriott for 10 euros per person but if a taxi doesn't cost much more for the 2 of us, I'd just as soon take that as I tend to value convenience over cost when it comes to arrival after a long flight.

If staying at the airport, I would probably try to bid for the Sheraton Schiphol on Priceline as it's directly connected to the terminal (I suppose there's a chance I might end up with the Hilton which is a farther walk away). I can also stay at the Schiphol Courtyard using my Marriott points but I understand it's a bit of a distance from the airport itself, still requires a shuttle or taxi ride, and there's no convenient public transport nearby to go into Amsterdam without backtracking through the airport again.

Suggestions, comments? Thanks!

According to Amsterdam Marriott's website, the taxi fare from Schiphol is apporx 35 euros.
http://marriott.com/property/mapandn...WT_Ref=mi_left

Airport's ~20 mins. or so away from downtown central. Since you have an entire day, seems like going into town would be well worth it, over staying out at the airport.

If money's no object, take the taxi, but it's VERY EASY to take the train and then a streetcar to the Marriott. I believe you could even check you luggage in for your flight the next day (or check it all the way through in the US) and just take a daypack or small bad into Amsterdam.

If you're interested in art, it would be worth getting the iAmsteradam pass (which would include the trams, canal cruise, etc. as well) and you can get this near the train station. The Marriott is near the Van Gogh and Rejksmuseum.

I agree that the taxi will be around 30-35€ each way, and will take less than 30 minutes.
The train station is located just off the Arrivals hall at the terminal. Tickets to Centraal Station are about 3.5€ each way. Taxi rank is to your right as you go out the front of the Centraal Station in Amsterdam - to the Marriott will be about 10-12€ each way.

Taxis at Schiphol - just follow the signs (it's a good terminal, easy to use).

The Marriott (Stadhouderskade, right?) is nicely located across the canal from Leidseplein, a very lively entertainment/restaurant area, nice square, tram connections, taxi rank...
If you want a canal boat cruise/tour, there is one across from the Marriott and to the right (east?) on the aforementioned canal, just beyond the Casino.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the distance isn't too far so it would definitely be worth it for us to stay in central Amsterdam. We'd like to try an Indonesian rijstafel for dinner. Are there any recommended ones nearby the Marriott? Thanks.

In Leidseplein area:
http://www.purimas.nl

Near Rijksmuseum:
http://www.samasebo.nl/

Thanks, Travelnut!

Patty we did the exact same thing in Feb. We also had a few nights in AMS ont he way home as my Hubby had never been to Europe so thought we would spend the weekend there. On the way back we stayed in the city at a lovely canal side hotel. On the way over I decided to stay at the airport Hilton and definately don't regret that. It is a very short walk from the airport or they have free shuttle. We checked in had a quick shower and then got the train into the city. We walked around and had a relaxing long lunch and canal tour before heding back to the hotel for an early night. It was nice the next morning to get an extra bit of sleep before walking to the airport for our Africa flight. We would have been leaving a city hotel very early to make sure we were at the airport in plenty of time if we were at the mercy of a shuttle or taxi or train as we were keen to get to Africa!

J