A Luxury Canal House Stay at The Dylan Amsterdam

A stay at The Dylan Amsterdam is the next best thing to living in a canal house on the Keizersgracht.

October 2025 marks the beginning of a year-long celebration commemorating Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary. 

Taking a boat ride on one of Amsterdam’s historic canals is close to the top of any to-do list for visitors to this city.

Gliding through the waters of this “Venice of the North,” you can’t help but fantasize what it might be like to live in one of the old townhouses that grace the shores.

The beautiful buildings on the Keizersgracht (one of three major canals specifically designed for residential development) were constructed during the 17th century, called the Dutch Golden Age, because of the Netherlands’ international prominence in trade and culture. 

At that time, the townhouses along the Keizersgracht housed some of the wealthiest merchants; these properties still remain among the priciest real estate in the city today.

A stay at The Dylan Amsterdam is the next best thing to living in one of the canal houses on the Keizersgracht.

A Hotel Steeped in History

First constructed in wood in 1613, the original structure was rebuilt five years later to create a permanent stone theater, the first of its kind in the Netherlands. Ariana Nozeman, the first female actress to perform on stage in this country, did so here. Antonio Vivaldi (yes, the composer of the “original” Four Seasons) conducted the orchestra in this theater on the auspicious occasion of its 100th anniversary.

Unfortunately, during a performance at the theater in 1772, the entire building burned down, sparing only the main entrance gate.

A year later, the site was sold to the Regents of the Roman Catholic Church, who rebuilt it as a refuge for the elderly and the poor, known as the Old and Poor People’s Office. The same church foundation retained ownership of the property for over two centuries, until it was sold in 1998. 

It was renovated and reopened as a boutique luxury hotel in 1999 and renamed The Dylan Amsterdam in 2004. The hotel underwent a major facelift in 2023, preserving its architectural and historical character while updating all its amenities.

Arriving at The Dylan Amsterdam

With only modest signage outside, The Dylan is comprised of two adjoining townhouses set behind a small, gated courtyard lined with bike racks (which are ubiquitous throughout the city). Instead of an anonymous lobby, reception takes place in what feels like a parlor in a private home. 

The intimate hotel features 41 rooms and suites in nine different room categories, furnished in four distinct styles: Amber, Loft, Loxura and Serendipity. All of the tasteful rooms blend modern design with historic decor, many with canal or garden views.

While the area is primarily residential, guests have convenient access to the city’s historical, cultural, and culinary riches. In the short time we were there, we were able to take advantage of shopping in our neighborhood and having breakfast in the charming de negen straatjes (9-streets) district with its galleries, boutiques, eateries and bars.

The hotel was only ten minutes away from the Anne Frank House and in walking distance of the Flower Market, the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and more.

Inside the Boutique Hotel

When the elevator reached the second floor, we were led down a hall to our room located at the rear of the building. To our surprise, behind the door was a steep, spiral staircase that wound its way up to our suite on the top level under the gables. (The feel of the staircase construction was reminiscent of our subsequent visit to the nearby Anne Frank House).

 A set of windows overlooked the hotel’s interior garden courtyard with laurel trees; the windows on the other side faced the backyards of neighborhood townhouses on the street behind us.

When tucked in our bed (with dimmer switches on the night tables beside us), we were able to see the stars and moonlight shining down from the sky. Except for the room’s building’s contours and facade, one might have never suspected the property’s rich history.

The Serendipity-style rooms, redesigned in 2024, offer a choice of double or duplex rooms as well as junior and luxury suites.  We stayed in one of the loft suites some years ago and the location of our home-away-from home couldn’t have been better.

Newly redesigned in 2025, the Jacob van Campen Suite is named after the architect of Amsterdam’s first stone theater. It is a duplex with canal views, a freestanding soaking tub, and curated art. 

Dining at The Dylan Amsterdam

In addition to an inviting lounge and bar area, the hotel has two outstanding restaurants, Restaurant Vinkeles and Brasserie OCCO. Twenty-four hour room service is also available.

One of the highlights of our stay was dinner at Vinkeles, the hotel’s restaurant with two Michelin stars, named after a Dutch painter. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, it is located a short flight of stairs down from Brasserie Occo. 

Three old wood-burning ovens lined the brick exterior wall of the dining room. These were part of the bakery operated by the church foundation to offset the costs of housing the poor souls who lived within these walls. The tables were nicely spaced in the comfortable, beamed-ceiling room with brick floor.

Our meal, a creative mix of contemporary and classic French cooking, offered a mélange of delectable tastes coupled with exceptional presentation and flawless service. Many of the ingredients were seasonal and locally sourced. The beautifully plated dishes were a feast for the senses, served by friendly, knowledgeable and unpretentious wait staff professionals.

Bar Brasserie OCCO is a more casual eatery known for its handcrafter cocktails and brasserie classics such as steak tartare and ramen noodles. The half round bar is a gathering place for conversation adn conviviality set against the exposed brick walls.

Bottom Line

As bespoke as the setting and as personalized the service, The Dylan feels totally warm and welcoming. Living here, even for a brief stay allows you to feel as if you are a veritable resident of a canal house although everything inside has been updated to appeal to 21st century five-star luxury hotel tastes and sensibilities.

Not only the hotel but also this vibrant neighborhood has an incredibly rich history dating back generations. I later read that Peter the Great stayed at house number 317 and John Adams stayed at house number 529.

A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World with Greeen Globe Cold certification, The Dylan Amsterdam offers its guests an unforgettable, contemporary twist on the quintessential canal house stay as well as a brush with history.

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IF YOU GO

The Dylan Amsterdam, Keizersgracht 384, Amsterdam

 

Also on More Time to Travel:

Visiting Amsterdam: Beyond the Windmills, Clogs and Tulips

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Disclosure: The Dylan Hotel hosted our stay and we paid for our meal at Vinkeles. Any opinions expressed in this piece are our own.

This article was reviewed and updated on 8/20/25.

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