The Dylan Amsterdam

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Stylish, boutique, discrete

384 Keizersgracht (31) 20-530–2010 www.dylanamsterdam.com

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Photo by Alicia Marucci, courtesy Indagare

At a Glance

The Dylan is the most stylish of Amsterdam’s boutique hotels.

Indagare Loves

Beautiful modern and charming rooms designed by Anouska Hempel
Location in the charming Nine Streets neighborhood
The renowned restaurant, Vinkeles

Review

Opened in 1999 as Blakes, the Dylan was designed by the brilliant Brit Anouska Hempel (of Blakes London fame), who made sure that each of the forty rooms was unique and stunning, with bold colors and furnishings. When the hotel was sold and turned into the Dylan, in 2005, the new owners made the wise decision to keep most of Hempel’s work intact, and it has aged well.

Guests pass through a 17th-century stone archway, cross a small courtyard and arrive in a series of cozy rooms outfitted with plush modern furniture where they are warmly welcomed by über professional staffers dressed head to toe in black or grey. As in all Hempel’s projects, design takes center stage: big, bold colors, often dramatic monochromes and rich reds and gold, dominate, and most of the furniture was made especially for the hotel. Among the original details that were retained are the wide-plank wooden floors and the red-brick walls of the renowned Vinkeles restaurant (formerly a bakery). In addition to the Michelin-starred Vinkeles, the hotel is home to a more casual bar and brasserie, OCCO, which opened in 2017 and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A stylish and intimate lounge with wideplank wood floors, a modern fireplace and warm lighting is also located adjacent to OCCO for guests to enjoy.

Most rooms face the serene, leafy courtyard, although thanks to a new addition, the Dylan now also boasts two suites and six rooms that face the Keizersgracht. Designed (but not by Hempel, and thus lacking her inspiration) for travelers who appreciate a mod, all-white aesthetic, the two canal-view suites are spacious, airy and bright, sporting limestone bathrooms and painted floorboards. Guests will find the hotel offers room categories in two buildings, the “Original Building.” which embraces the historic and authentic design the hotel is known for, and the “Serendipity Building,” which features a more modern aesthetic.

Amenity-wise, the Dylan has bikes for guests and a small but functional gym. While there is no spa, the concierge will happily arrange in-room massages.

Who Should Stay

Design aficionados who love a stylish hotel room, even if it’s small, as well as those who want to based in the center of the canal belt and don’t mind paying top dollar.

Who Should Not Stay

Those who need a lot of space (many rooms are quite tiny) and those who cannot handle stairs (some rooms require climbing stairs).

Read Upon Arrival Amsterdam to discover points of interest within a few blocks of the hotel.

Author

Simone Girner

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