TL;DR

Historic boutique hotel: In a former 17th-century theatre.
Canal-side location: Set within Amsterdam’s most central canals.
Refined and intimate: Timeless interiors with a strong cultural identity.
Michelin star dining: and fine French cuisine
Check prices here

The Dylan Hotel, Amsterdam’s little pocket of urban space, was once home to the city’s first theatre.

Built in 1638, it was visited by Rembrandt, Vivaldi, and the Russian tsar, Peter the Great, amongst many others.

Between fires, renovations, and the ravages of time, the current hotel building is obviously different from the original, but the strong cultural flair remains.

The location too is excellent. It sits within Amsterdam’s main canal zone, within easy reach of all the main attractions.

At the Dylan, you’ll find numerous preserved architectural details and a general air of timeless elegance.

You can relax in velvet chairs under low lighting, sipping your jenever and soaking in the atmosphere of a building that has oozed sophistication for centuries.

What are the rooms like?

40 rooms: Spread across historic and garden-facing spaces.
Historic character: Exposed beams blended into modern, design-led interiors.
Generous sizes: Entry rooms start at 19 sqm, with larger suites available.
Standout suites: Duplexes and garden-view Superior Suites offer unique charm.
See each room in detail here

Guestrooms hold much of the Dylan’s historical charm, somewhat rarely for a fully renovated historic space.

The wooden beams are well-incorporated into a stylish modern design. Some are painted fully black in line with a monochrome theme that isn’t our favourite, but is sleek and a bit sexy.

This is common in the guestrooms, most located in the “original building”, as they call it.

They’re all relatively roomy, with Queen singles starting at 19 square metres and Doubles up to 30.

Duplex rooms are excellent options with unique, beautiful designs. Some of the lofts have little bathtubs that make for a romantic soak.

Our favourites, though, are the garden view Superior Suites.

They’re perhaps not the best for our vertically gifted friends, but the natural wooden beams and top-floor location make for gorgeous sun and upscale attic charm.

Whichever you go for, there are plenty of luxury hotel creature comforts in all.

Basic amenities include Bluetooth sound systems, coffee & tea, and plush linens.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Michelin star dining: Fine French cuisine at Restaurant Vinkeles.
Relaxed brasserie: OCCO serves breakfast, drinks, and all-day dining.
Concierge-led: Experiences, bikes, and transport arranged with ease.

Culinary options are simple and straightforward, which we like. It feels like the Dylan puts its efforts into guest services rather than an extensive restaurant programme.

That’s not to say there’s anything lacking in the two onsite restaurants. Indeed, they’re full of the same rich historical vibes as the rest of the hotel.

The most formal, Restaurant Vinkeles, has a couple of Michelin stars under its belt and occupies the updated remains of a bakery that used to operate on the property.

It’s serious fine dining, leaving its humble beginnings far behind for a menu full of French-inspired delights.

For something slightly more casual, there’s OCCO, the all-day brasserie where you’ll find breakfast.

It’s also got a stunner of a wine list and nice selection of cocktails for the evening.

Whatever else you’re looking for in your Amsterdam experience, the Dylan’s concierge can make it happen.

A small gym on site will keep you active, and they’re happy to arrange bicycles and car service.

How is the neighbourhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Prime canal zone: Located directly on Keizersgracht.
Museum-rich: Surrounded by Amsterdam’s best small museums.
Well connected: Major sights reachable on foot or bike.

The Dylan sits on the “Keizersgracht” canal, well connected to almost anything you’re hoping to visit.

In our opinion, Amsterdam really shines in its small museums, which line the Keizersgracht canal.

The Houseboat Museum, Museum of the Canals, and the Huis Marseille are all deep in the 9-Streets district, within a block of the hotel.

The Anne Frank House, Museumhuis Bartolotti, Stadsarchief Amsterdam and the Tulip Museum are all a little further out, but easy to access.

Bigger establishments like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are outside the main canals, but still within a 20-minute walk.

The lovely Vondelpark is also nearby, a great place to take your bicycle and just 5 minutes away with two wheels.

Of course, not everyone is in Amsterdam for the museums.

The Red Light District is closer to the centre, 20 minutes on foot from the hotel.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Just an exceptional property with excellent service and attention to detail. Sets the bar….”

“Location could not have been better for activities we had planned – museums and sightseeing. Concierge is a rock star, scoring tickets and arranging a fun canal tour. The restaurants he recommended were enjoyable and not ultra-expensive….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Too expensive comparing to other much more luxury hotels….”

”We stayed 3 nights, and then another night a week or so later. Our first room was perhaps not spacious, but was very comfortable in terms of allowing us room for suitcases and just moving around without bumping into each other. For our second stay, we requested a walk-in shower. The tub shower combo in room one was awkward to get in and out of. We did, indeed, have a walk-in shower and it was beautiful. However, the room was very small, with inadequate space for both suitcases. Having said that, we would stay at The Dylan again, because the ambience and staff are wonderful….”

Read all the reviews right here