Cat-Friendly Hotels Near AMS (Amsterdam Schiphol): Verified Pet Fees & Easy Transfers

Travelling through Amsterdam Schiphol with a cat can feel like trying to change trains in a language you half-understand. Add a carrier, and “just find any hotel” stops feeling simple.

This guide is here to take that part off your plate.

Quick Picks — Cat-Friendly Hotels Near AMS

If you already know you’re overnighting near Schiphol and simply need a workable hotel, start here.

NOTE:Pet fees and rules change over time. Treat this table as a realistic map, not a contract. Use the booking email script below to confirm cats, fees, and basic conditions for your exact dates.

The rest of the article reads slower, and walks you through the key aspects of overnighting in Amsterdam. It also provides a packing checklist and FAQs at the end.

You can jump to any of the sections below. Otherwise, just scroll ahead and have a good read:

• How we verify pet policies
• Booking email script
• Getting to your hotel
• Room setup for one night
• Pet fees & fine print
• Packing checklist
• FAQs
• Before you book — quick recap

If you’re still choosing how to fly, it can help to zoom out once first:

• See Airlines That Allow Cats in Cabin 2025 to check whether cabin is realistic for your route
• Airline-Approved Cat Carriers: Under-Seat Sizes & Top Picks if you need to confirm that your carrier will actually fit.
• While IATA Cat Travel Crates for Cargo & Long-Haul walks you through doing cargo as kindly as possible.

How We Verify Pet Policies

For each hotel, we start with the official hotel or brand website and look specifically at the pet policy and room information. We check whether pets are allowed in guest rooms, how the fee is structured (per pet vs per room; per night vs per stay), and whether there are additional cleaning supplements or deposits linked to bringing an animal.

Where the fee or exact rule isn’t clearly published, we say so. That way you know exactly what to double-check with the hotel before you book. Pet policies and prices do change, which is why we recommend sending one short confirmation email using the script below so you have a clear “yes” in writing for your dates.

Last updated: 10 December 2025

Booking Email Script (Copy & Paste)

Use this email with any AMS-area hotel to confirm that cats are allowed in your room type, what the pet fee will look like on your bill, and whether you can get a room setup that works for one night with a cat.

Subject: Pet policy confirmation for upcoming stay near Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

Email body:

Dear [Hotel Name] team,

I’m planning an overnight stay at your hotel near Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and would like to confirm your pet policy for my cat.

Could you please confirm the following for my dates:

• Are cats allowed in standard guest rooms?
• What is the pet fee, and is it charged per night or per stay?
• Is the fee charged per cat or per room?
• Is there any additional deposit or cleaning fee for stays with a cat?
• What is the maximum number of pets allowed per room?
• Is it possible to request a quiet room with hard flooring if available?

Thank you very much for your help.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]

Once you have a clear “yes” in writing, you can arrive at Schiphol knowing the hotel is expecting your cat and everyone shares the same understanding of fees and rules.

Getting to Your AMS Hotel with a Cat

The goal once you land is simple: move from the gate to your hotel in a way that feels calm and predictable for both of you. Around Schiphol, that usually means a mix of on-airport hotels, hotel shuttles, taxis, and (for some routes) short public-transport hops.

On-Airport & Terminal-Connected Hotels

Some hotels, such as the Sheraton and Hilton, are directly linked to Schiphol Plaza and the terminal via covered walkways. You simply follow “Schiphol Plaza” and “Hotels” signs, take lifts with your luggage and carrier, and avoid buses entirely.

These on-airport options are often worth the extra cost if you:

• Arrive very late or leave very early
• Are travelling solo with both luggage and a cat
• Have a cat who struggles with multiple vehicle changes

Hotel Shuttles from Schiphol

Many AMS-area hotels use shared shuttles that run between the terminal and nearby hotel clusters. These usually leave from the signed hotel shuttle area outside Schiphol Plaza.

With a cat, it helps to:

• Check shuttle times before you land so you’re not waiting with a carrier longer than needed
• Let a very crowded shuttle go past and take the next one if you can – standing in a crush with a soft carrier is rarely a gentle start
• Wait slightly to the side of the main queue, then board when you can choose a stable corner for the carrier

If you want a sense of current shuttle patterns and alternative options, you can also start from the official Schiphol site at schiphol.nl and look for the latest ground transport information.

Trains & Buses for Slightly Further Stays

Some travellers choose hotels that are one or two stops away by train or bus. This can work well if the route is simple and you are confident managing luggage plus a carrier in a busy station or on a short bus ride.

As a rule of thumb:

• Choose trains or buses only if the journey is short and involves no changes
• Avoid rush-hour services if you can – quieter carriages mean fewer sudden crowds around the carrier
• If you’re already exhausted, a shuttle or taxi is often kinder than “one more connection”

For current public-transport options and maps, use the official Schiphol site above and follow the links to trains and buses. That way you’re always working with the latest information.

Taxis & Rideshares with a Cat at AMS

Official taxis and rideshares are easy to find from the signed pick-up zones outside the terminal. If your hotel sits in a nearby business park or village rather than the direct airport cluster, a 5–15 minute taxi can be the most direct and least complicated option.

To keep this part calm:

• Tell the driver you have a cat in a closed carrier before you set off
• Ask them – if it feels safe – to pull slightly away from the busiest stretch of the kerb before you open the car doors and settle the carrier
• Keep the carrier closed until all doors are shut; only open it again once you are inside your room

Setting Up the Room for One Night Near AMS

Once you reach the hotel, your job is to turn a standard airport room into a small, safe den where your cat can eat, use a tray, and rest without disappearing under the bed or behind the wardrobe. It helps to think in three zones: litter corner, base camp, and human space.

• Litter corner: Use a bathroom corner if you can. Lay down a towel or travel mat, put your collapsible tray or disposable baking tray on top, and add a shallow layer of your cat’s usual litter. This keeps any spills contained and makes clean-up simple in the morning.
• Base camp: Choose one place – often near the bed or a chair – where the carrier will live with the door open. Put a familiar towel or blanket from home there so it smells “right”, and keep food and water bowls in the same area so your cat doesn’t have to cross the whole room to find them.
• Human space: Protect one surface – usually part of the bed or a chair – with your travel sheet or blanket. That gives your cat an approved spot to sleep near you without you worrying about fur or the odd muddy paw print.

Before you let your cat explore, quickly check for escape routes and hiding spots. Block deep gaps under the bed, behind heavy furniture, or around connecting doors with rolled towels or bags, and make sure windows and balcony doors are properly closed and latched.

Then follow a simple routine: carrier down → litter corner set up → water down → open the carrier and let them come out at their own pace. Keeping exploration to one or two “safe zones” rather than the whole room helps most cats settle faster and makes bedtime easier for both of you.

Pet Fees, Deposits & Fine Print (AMS & NL)

Around AMS, the question usually isn’t “are pets allowed?” but “how much will this actually cost, and what are the strings attached?” Most airport hotels near Amsterdam welcome animals; the details change once you look closely at the pet policy.

A simple way to read any policy is to walk through four things in order: is the fee per pet or per room? Is it per night or per stay? Are there extra cleaning fees or deposits? Does “pets” clearly include cats?

Per pet vs per room
Many AMS-area hotels charge per pet, not per room. That means a base €15–€25 fee can double if you travel with two cats. Some chains occasionally offer a flat “per room” fee, but you can’t assume it – always ask the question exactly as you need the answer: “Is the pet fee charged per pet or per room?”

Per night vs per stay
The second aspect is time. A few hotels charge a flat amount “per stay”, for example €20 once, no matter how many nights. Many more charge per night, especially in the business and chain hotels around the airport. A one-night stopover may feel fine; two or three nights can make the pet fee the same size as the room discount you hunted for.

Cleaning fees, deposits and “just in case” charges
On top of the main pet fee, you may see mention of a cleaning supplement or a damage deposit / card pre-authorisation, more common in aparthotels and higher-end properties. A single line in your email covers this: “Are there any additional cleaning fees or deposits specific to having a cat in the room?”

“Pets” vs “dogs only” and whether that really means cats
Dutch and EU hotel sites often use broad phrases like “pets allowed” or “small domestic animals welcome”. In practice, that usually includes cats, but staff often picture dogs by default. To avoid assumptions, use the word “cat” clearly, not just “pet”, when you write. If the site mentions “dogs only”, treat that as uncertain until someone confirms cats are also welcome.

When a hotel simply isn’t worth it
Every now and then you’ll find a hotel that looks perfect on paper but the pet conditions make it a poor fit for a single overnight with a cat. Typical red flags are: a very high pet fee, strict rules about never leaving the animal alone in the room even briefly, and no option to request a quieter or more practical room.

In those cases, it’s completely reasonable to step back and say: this is a great hotel for humans, but not the best stop for my cat. A short shuttle ride or taxi to a slightly further but more relaxed hotel with fairer fees will often give both of you a calmer night for less money.

Packing Micro-Checklist for an Overnight Near AMS

For a single night near Schiphol, you don’t need your whole home setup – just a small kit that makes the room feel familiar and keeps the morning simple. Pack for three things: toilet, comfort, and control.

Toilet & clean-up

• Collapsible litter tray or disposable baking tray – something shallow that fits in a bathroom corner
• Small bag of your cat’s usual litter – enough for one good layer, not a full sack
• A few small trash bags – for used litter and wipes before you leave
• Unscented wipes or paper towels – for cleaning around the tray or dealing with minor accidents

Comfort & bedding

• One travel sheet or light blanket – to protect part of the bed or a chair and give your cat a “claimed” spot
• A familiar towel or small blanket from home – ideally something that already smells like your cat or their usual sleeping place
• Spare carrier pad or folded towel – in case the original gets dirty on the journey

Control & safety

• Door wedge or strong tape – for propping self-closing doors or reducing gaps you don’t want them slipping through
• A compact torch or phone with enough battery – useful if you need to check under furniture without turning all the lights on at 3 a.m.
• Screenshots or a PDF of the hotel pet policy and your email confirmation – handy if staff change shifts or aren’t aware of the details you agreed

Most of this can live in a single small packing cube. On the night, that cube simply becomes your “cat corner kit”: bathroom tray, base camp around the carrier, and one protected human surface. Everything else in the room can stay as it is.

FAQs — Cats & Hotels Near AMS

Do Schiphol airport hotels usually charge per cat or per room?

Most AMS-area hotels charge per pet, not per room, especially in chain and airport properties. That means two cats usually mean paying the fee twice. Some places charge a flat amount “per stay” or “per room”, but you can’t rely on that. When you email the hotel, ask it exactly like this: “Is the pet fee per pet or per room?”

Can I leave my cat alone in the room while I go to eat or to reception?

Policies vary. Some hotels are relaxed as long as your cat stays inside the room and inside the carrier; others state that pets must not be left alone at all. As a safety baseline, only leave your cat briefly, crated, while you stay on the property. Use the email script to ask: “Can my cat remain crated in the room for a short time while I get food in the hotel?” If the answer is no, assume you’ll be taking your cat with you or ordering in.

Are cats allowed (in carriers) inside Schiphol and on hotel shuttles?

Small animals in fully closed carriers are generally accepted inside the terminal and on hotel shuttles, as long as they remain contained and under control. What you can’t do is carry a loose cat or open the carrier in transit. If you’re unsure, add a line to your hotel email: “Is your shuttle okay with a cat in a closed carrier?” so there are no surprises when you arrive.

Is it better to stay at an on-airport hotel or a cheaper shuttle hotel with a higher pet fee?

It depends where your stress sits. On-airport and Plaza hotels usually mean short, simple transfers (covered walk or very short route), but a higher room price and sometimes higher pet fees. Hotels a little further away can give you better room rates and lower pet fees, but a longer shuttle or taxi ride after a long day. If you’re travelling solo, arriving very late, or have a very anxious cat, paying extra for a simple, on-airport route is often worth it. If your timing is gentler and budget matters more, a slightly further but genuinely pet-welcoming hotel can be the calmer choice.

How early should I book an AMS hotel if I’m travelling with a cat in peak season?

For most of the year, 1–2 weeks ahead is enough to find a pet-friendly room near AMS. During busy periods (school holidays, major events, summer), it’s smarter to book 3–4 weeks in advance, especially if you need an on-airport location, are travelling with two cats, or prefer one of the more popular chains. Whenever you book, follow up with the email confirmation of pet policy so you have something clear to refer back to at check-in.

Before You Book — Quick Recap

By this point, you know the core hotel options around Schiphol and how to reach them. You understand how pet fees are typically structured, you’ve got a simple room-setup routine, and you have a small packing list that turns a generic airport room into a predictable space for your cat.

From here, the next steps are straightforward:

1. Pick one or two hotels from your shortlist that fit your timing, budget, and your cat’s temperament.
2. Email them using the script to confirm cats, fees, and basic rules in writing.
3. Book the room once you have a clear “yes, that’s fine”.

You don’t need the perfect hotel. You need one that is predictable, fairly priced, and easy to reach with a carrier in your hand.

Still choosing your airline? Start with Airlines That Allow Cats in Cabin 2025.
Anxious about the carrier itself? Our carrier fit guide can help you double-check under-seat sizes.
Travelling with a very big cat or planning a long route? Our IATA crate guide walks you through doing cargo as safely and kindly as possible.

Also flying via other hubs on this trip? You can see LHR: Cat-Friendly Hotels Near Heathrow, CDG: Cat-Friendly Hotels Near Paris–Charles de Gaulle, and JFK: Cat-Friendly Hotels Near JFK (New York) for the same style of verified, cat-first overnight options.

Sources

• Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel and Conference Center — official site
• Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol — official site
• citizenM Schiphol Airport — official site
• Mercure Hotel Schiphol Terminal — Accor official page
• ibis Schiphol Amsterdam Airport — Accor official page
• ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport — Accor official page
• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol — official site (ground transport & airport information)

Policies and fees do change, sometimes quietly. That’s why we recommend sending one short confirmation email before you book. The goal isn’t to monitor every price change in real time, but to give you enough of a map that clarifying the last 5% is quick, calm, and fully under your control.