Schiphol Plaza is like nothing I've ever seen in an airport before, it's a pretty large shopping area located in the arrivals section of Schipol area, making the area as soon as you get off the plane, pretty nice compared to most airports especially back home in Manchester, where Arrivals at Terminals 1,2 and 3 are pretty much a dump.
Albert Heijn, Nespresso, Starbucks, Leon and Victoria Secret are all big brands located here - a huge downside is this is perhaps only for people visiting the airport to drop off friends/family, or arriving off a flight because if you were going to buy something here, you possibly wouldn't be able to take it through security if it is a liquid for example due to strict security rules with the airport. Also, if you're limited on time and like me, you want to be through security before you do anything, so you can relax that little bit more, this also isn't the place one can spend a great deal of time so the market Schiphol Plaza is mainly targetted at, appears to be the people who are just getting off a flight and arriving into Amsterdam.
The prices here are pretty much the same as you'd expect in departures - pretty high and expensive, and multiple outlets including Leon and Starbucks are franchised stores, which also brings the added downsides of higher prices, as well s the fact this store is in an airport too, where outlets normally charge higher anyway.
A slight lack of seating around Schiphol Plaza lets it down a bit, meaning this is also dedicated to more of a to go market, food to go, drink to go, based on my experience at Leon and Starbucks here.
Overall, Schiphol Plaza does has its drawbacks but it's a pretty cool place which is probably going to be one of the first things people see upon arriving at Amsterdam Schipol Airport, as well as the runway and boring security desks of course so it does warrant a three-star rating, as it is pretty cool but does has its drawbacks in terms of appealing to everyone visiting the airport, pricing and the lack of a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere. read more