I Flew on JetBlue’s New Route from Boston to Amsterdam + Stayed in their Partner Hotels - Here’s What It Was Like
Many travelers jumped for joy when JetBlue announced its partnership with affordable luxury hotel brand Yotel this summer. To recap, TrueBlue loyalty members can now earn points on stays at YOTEL locations worldwide, plus score discounted room rates and a complimentary amenity upon arrival. For those with TrueBlue Mosaic status, complimentary room upgrades and late checkout sweeten the deal further. Both brands place an emphasis on affordability, comfort, and innovation for frequent travelers so the partnership seems like a no-brainer.
Not long after announcing this beneficial partnership, JetBlue also made many east coasters happy by launching nonstop flights from both New York City and Boston to Amsterdam. “Adding nonstop service to Amsterdam benefits business and leisure customers who have suffered from high fares by legacy carriers for decades and brings more options to our customers in our New England focus city,” explains Dave Clark, head of revenue and planning for JetBlue.
The daily flights to Amsterdam feature 24 redesigned Mint Suite seats and 114 core seats, giving customers more options for long-haul travel. With so many exciting things happening with JetBlue, we decided to put all of these new promos to the test – starting in Boston.
Boston
Checking in at YOTEL Boston was a seamless process. A quick trip to the front desk and I was ready to check in to my room – but those who want to skip the niceties can opt to grab their keys from the self-service check-in kiosks right in the lobby. The hotel is ideally situated in the city’s burgeoning seaport district, where guests can easily walk around the neighborhood and explore the harbor and its sites. Nearby attractions I recommend checking out include sailing away on a Boston Harbor City Cruise, stuffing your face at the Boston Public Market, scooping up some cannolis and Italian goodies at Mike’s Pastry or Bova’s Bakery, and perusing the shelves at the Boston Athenaeum.
Back at the hotel, my premium queen-sized room had all the amenities I needed for an in-and-out business trip. The adjustable SmartBed allowed me to very comfortably work from my bed by day and get a good night’s sleep by night. The minimalist and compact design was perfect for a quick trip because traveling is all about getting out and about (but when you do need to spend time in your room here, it’s clean, comfy, the amenities are top-notch, and the mood lighting is fun). The hotel’s rooftop, Deck 12, provides the ultimate backdrop for light bites and drinks, allowing you to take in the city skyline and Boston sunsets. Downstairs, the hotel’s restaurant, Vela, impresses even the most discerning traveler with its worldly menu featuring dishes like lamb shank tagine, halibut moqueca, and char siu duck and noodles.
The flight
Make sure not to overindulge before jetting off with JetBlue because if you’re fortunate enough to score seats in one of its Mint Suite seats, you’ll want to save room for all of its onboard offerings. First off, the seats are truly sweet (suite, get it?). It’s really like having your own personalized mini room – complete with a sliding door you can close. The seats have plenty of legroom and fully recline into a bed, which is ideal for a long, overnight flight. For those taking a snooze, you also receive a very cozy memory foam pillow and blanket by Tuft & Needle – plus, a wide range of amenities, including socks, slippers, an eyemask, earplugs, and wellness offerings from Wanderfuel. Over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones are also available for use in your suite, provided by Master & Dynamic – perfect for all of the entertainment options available on your swivel TV.
The menus change seasonally, but guaranteed you won’t go hungry en route to your final destination. I started off my flight with a refreshing elderflower sparkling water, but others opted for the airline’s signature cocktail, Mint Condition. This includes your choice of Bombay Sapphire Gin or Tito’s Handmade Vodka, along with ginger, lime, cucumber and mint. Fliers can enjoy a three-course dinner on board, as well as breakfast options like chia seed pudding and frittatas, thanks to New York City’s Pasquale Jones. Overall, it was a seamless flying experience and one I hope to repeat soon.
Amsterdam
A quick 20-minute ride from the airport and I was already once again checking in at YOTEL, this time situated between the up-and-coming Noord and NDSM districts of Amsterdam. This area is ideal for travelers who want to be one step removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown, but close enough to still easily get to all of the city’s main attractions. A quick 12-minute walk will bring you to a (free!) ferry that will shuttle you across the canal and right to the heart of the city. However, for those who want to explore the burgeoning area near the hotel, grab a bite at Cornerstore, take in larger-than-life street art at the STRAAT Museum, explore visual arts at the Eye Film Museum, and grab a beer or two at Pllek. You’ll feel more like you’re in Bushwick than the streets of Europe here, but meander to the city center and you’ll quickly be transported to the quaint Dutch streets Amsterdam is known for.
Back at the hotel you’ll find all of the same amenities as YOTEL’s Boston outpost, with the added bonus of this location’s backyard overlooking a peaceful canal. Here you’ll find cozy seats for lounging when the weather is nice, or you can head indoors to Deck, the hotel restaurant which overlooks the greenspace. The lobby is primed for those visiting on business, replete with desk space and outlets aplenty. To really become one with the Dutch, Yotel supplies both umbrella and bike rentals for guests.
With more and more people opting to see the world via workations, it’s no surprise that brands like YOTEL, which place emphasis on comfort and technology over space, are becoming increasingly in demand. It was clear to see – the lobbies were always bustling with guests, yet there was never a line in sight. Now that’s what we like to see.
