The Dylan Amsterdam is Enchanting
The Dylan Hotel Amsterdam
Where:
The Dylan Amsterdam can be found in the heart of Negen Straatjes, the Nine Streets area, on the picturesque Keizersgracht Canal. Also known as the Emperor’s Canal, it is the middle of the city’s three main canals. It’s a great location to base yourself for exploring the beautiful city of Amsterdam. We loved walking along the canal and admiring the beautiful historic houses and watching the canal traffic.
History
Step through the doors of The Dylan, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and you immediately feel at home. It manages to merge classic design with a contemporary feel. There’s such a rich history behind this chic bolthole that’s a firm favourite with locals and discerning guests.
First Stone Theatre
In 1638, the first stone theatre in Amsterdam was opened on this site. On the theatre’s centenary in 1737, Antonio Vivaldi conducted the theatre’s orchestra. Many well-known guests visited the theatre including the Prince of Orange, the Russian Tsar and the Elector of Brandenburg. Lots of Dutch plays were performed in this theatre including those written by Shakespeare, Moliere and Corneille.
Fire
The building was destroyed by fire in 1772 and only the historic Van Campen’s doorway – the main entrance gate, remains. A year later the site was sold to a Regent of the Roman Catholic Church charities, known as the Old & Poor People’s office. This foundation retained ownership until 1998, when the building was completely renovated and reopened as Hotel Blakes. In 2004, the luxury boutique hotel changed its name to The Dylan Amsterdam.
Rooms
There are 40 plush rooms and suites that are designed in four different styles and hand-painted in a variety of colours.
The hotel offers nine rooms and suites types in each category, which vary from luxury single rooms to luxury suites with a beautiful garden or canal view.
We bunker down in a spacious Loft suite where the hefty original wooden beams take centre stage. The decor in soft hues is appealing and there’s a view of the pretty courtyard garden below. A comfy couch and large television feature in the living area.
The bed is nearly too comfortable to leave. The bathroom has plenty of room as well with a separate bath and shower and Paris-based British parfumier James Heeley bath amenities.
Other rooms and suites include Amber, Loft, Loxura and Serendipity categories which have a specific style and colour décor of their own. Rooms are spread through two adjacent buildings.
Features
There’s so many wonderful features about this chic hotel but I love the secluded garden which is brimming with colourful flowers.
The function room Arian, designed by FG Stijl, an interior architect from Amsterdam, is named after Ariana Nozeman, the first Dutch woman who made her debut on the stage. The hotel is located at the same location as the theatre were Ariana Nozeman performed in 1655. Before then men always played the role of women. She is also credited as the first ballet dancer in The Netherlands.
The Dylan has a small gym with a treadmill, cross-trainer, bike and free weights.
Dining
There are two fabulous restaurants at the hotel including the Michelin-starred Vinkeles and the Bar Brasserie OCCO.
Vinkeles
Vinkeles was opened in 2008 and is named after Dutch artist Reinier Vinkeles. Awarded a Michelin star since November 2009, the French cuisine offers an excellent mixture between classic and contemporary styles. It is set in a sunken dining room surrounded by original 18th-century wood ovens that once served as a bakery for the Catholic Poor Peoples Office with views overlooking the garden.
Executive Chef, Dennis Kuipers, and Chef de Cuisine, Jurgen van der Zalm, use only the freshest ingredients for their seasonal menu, which showcases their strict dedication to purity of flavour and presentation.
Bar Brasserie OCCO
Bar Brasserie OCCO has a chic cosmopolitan style to it with menus highlighting handcrafted cocktails and creative cuisine drawn from local Dutch influences and producers. Breakfast is served here and includes fruits, berries, granolas, seeds and pastries laid out along the chic bar. Fresh fruit juice, coffee and omelets can be ordered.
Lunch, dinner and snacks are also available in this elegant area.
The Bar
We loved the sleek illuminated curved bar plus velvet sofas, round marble tabletops and bold black beamed ceilings that help create a vibrant ambiance. The cocktails are adventurous and delicious such as the Notebook, an Aviation Inspiration with Tanqueray Lovage Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, Lime Juice and Creme de Violet.
High Wine
Forget High Tea it’s all about High Wine here. The High Wine is a food and wine pairing experience, with a selection of four wines with matching amuse style bites.
Fitness
Hop on a bike and start cycling around the streets, as the Dutch do. You can rent a Roetz bike from The Dylan. They are handcrafted designer bikes using core parts of discarded ones. Each vintage look bike is different. An inroom massage can be organised.
What to do
The hotel is just a stroll away from the city’s main attractions including Anne Frank House, the flower market, Van Gogh museum, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk museum and the Canal museum. The Nine Streets area has lots of funky galleries, boutiques, bars and eateries.
Fancy a look at Amsterdam from the water – you can do a private boat tour.
What we loved
The history of this beautiful hotel enchants, delights and surprises. The architecture, fresh flowers, excellent service and fabulous food make it an ideal place to stay in Amsterdam. We also love the front courtyard and secluded garden. Those cocktails are also amazing but be warned it’s hard to stop at one.
Details
The Dylan Amsterdam – a Member of Small Luxury Hotels
Keizersgracht 384
1016 GB Amsterdam
T: + 31 20 530 2010
Website www.slh.com/hotels/the-dylan-hotel/
