Aviation geeks: You can now book a private night in a 737 suite with Marriott points
If you've always wanted to have a 737 all to yourself, there's good news for you.
The Corendon Amsterdam New-West, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, has a newly relaunched Cockpit Suite (room 737) that contains the entire fuselage — cockpit and the front seating section — of a real 737. Even better, the hotel became part of Marriott’s Tribute Collection this year, so you can book the suite with Marriott Bonvoy points. Extra icing on the cool suite: Prices for the unique space start at less than $300 dollars a night.
I checked out the suite in person last week, and it was like Christmas Day for AvGeeks. Ready to check in and come on board? Here’s what you need to know.
Overview of the 737 suite
To call this suite unique would be an understatement.
Push open the door to room 737, marked "Cockpit Suite," and you'll see a short set of three steps leading directly into the rear of the fuselage area. There are three rows of blue leather seats, then the small galley and, most excitingly, the full cockpit.
Here you can touch, move and play with every knob, switch, lever and wheel. (Yes, I admit, I tried them all out.)
The cockpit's windows align with the room's floor-to-ceiling windows (the nose of the plan actually sticks out of the wall). They face southwest toward Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), so it's possible to also do some planespotting from the cockpit.
Once you leave the plane, you'll find a king bed on the port side as well as a sprawling bathroom with a deep soaking tub and an ultraviolet light shower. (There's a second bathroom in the suite as well.) On the starboard side is a stylish seating area with a white velvet couch and red slipper chairs. Another room to the right of the living area has a round dining table with chairs and wet bar.
Here's how a 737 got here
The plane was originally part of KLM's fleet. It was repainted with Corendon's logo before a crane positioned it into its current home on the top (seventh) floor of the New-West Hotel in 2015. The room was then used for conferences and meetings, with a king bed on the port side, a massive conference table on the starboard side and conference room-style amenities.
How to book
Surprisingly, you don’t need to call the hotel or reserve the 737 Suite through a special number. Simply go to the New West or Marriott reservations page and type in your preferred date. If the room is available, it will show up in the reservation options. If it’s not, you won’t see it at all as an option.
As you can see from the booking page, it’s actually not very well advertised. In fact, right now, the room isn’t promoted at all on the hotel’s web page. This is good news if you want to stay since it's an under-the-radar option and is relatively easy to book.
For one night in mid-November, I was able to find a single night for $278. The hotel assured me that you can use Marriott Bonvoy points to book, but I wasn’t able to use this option on the website. You will have to reach out to Marriott for that option.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Bonvoy Brilliant: Is mid-tier or premium best for you?
Other details
The hotel is planning to add movies for guests to watch in the 737, but honestly, I think sitting in the captain’s chair and planespotting is even better entertainment. There aren’t any plans for airplane-style meals, but you can order room service and then spread out anywhere you like.
If you can tear yourself away from this unique space, one of the largest spas in Amsterdam (complete with pool and hammam) awaits downstairs, as does the fun Caribbean-Dutch restaurant Mondi.
For more plane fun
Make it a total Amsterdam aviation-themed getaway by visiting the hotel’s sister property, Corendon Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The hotel has a decommissioned 747 in the garden (yes, the entire plane). Simply walking around the behemoth is pretty awesome, and you can tour the inside of the plane daily at 11 a.m.
There are future plans to possibly turn it into a pancake restaurant or a bar. For the time being, though, you can enjoy a cocktail with views of the plane (and Schiphol right across the highway) at the 747 Sky Bar. You can also book a hotel room with plane views. The hotel is part of the Tribute Collection, and rates start from $136 a night or 36,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Related reading:
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.