The Dylan Amsterdam

The Dylan is a luxury boutique hotel situated on a canal-front property that was home to a 17th century theater. Inside, classic details are paired with modern furnishings to create refined, upscale style. In the lobby lounge, wood-plank floors meet beautiful wood paneled walls while leather seats are gathered near a cozy fireplace. Marble hallways feature fresh white walls and ceilings with molded details. The Michelin-starred Vinkeles restaurant is a highlight, too -- situated in what was a bakery in the 18th century, the restaurant displays exposed brick floors, original bakers ovens, and dark wood-beam ceilings. With its excellent location and range of room sizes, The Dylan is host to everyone from business to leisure travelers, including families, though couples are the primary clientele.

The Dylan is situated in Amsterdam's famous Canal Ring and overlooks the Keizergracht canal. The street is a mix of private residence, trendy restaurants, and local businesses, and there's plenty in walking distance, from art galleries to the upscale shops of Nine Streets, plus major tourist attractions like the Anne Frank House, Dam Square, and Rijksmuseum. For sights farther out, the Keizergracht tram stop is a six-minute walk, or guests can rent a bike from the hotel and get around the city as locals do, on two wheels.- Five-minute walk to the Flower Market

• Seven-minute walk to Amsterdam Museum
• Nine-minute walk to Anne Frank House
• 11-minute walk to the Royal Palace
• 13-minute walk to Dam Square
• 15-minute walk to Rijksmuseum
• 15 minutes via public transit to Amsterdam Centraal Station 
• 35 minutes via public transit to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol 

The Dylan's 41 rooms are split into five different styles, ranging from lofts with cathedral ceilings and wood-beam accents to minimalistic, modern spaces with Asian details to chic, homey rooms with elegant wood wardrobes and plush, button-tufted chairs. Bathrooms tend to be simple but modern, featuring separate rainfall showers and tubs. Rooms range in size from smaller singles and doubles (though the smallest doubles are 250 square feet -- fairly big for the area) to roomy duplexes and suites, some of which look like posh apartments.Rooms are air-conditioned and include LCD TVs, Bose sound systems with bluetooth, and free Wi-Fi, in addition to coffee/tea service (like high-end espresso machines) and generously stocked minibars. Bathrooms include make-up mirrors, James Heely toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers. Room service is available 24 hours and nightly turndown service offers local treats. Guests suggest splurging on a canal-view room. More than half of the rooms have had full refurbishments since 2010, with plans to refurbish the remaining rooms in the coming years. But there are some downsides to The Dylan: noise from the courtyard or street can be an issue when windows are open, and while the hotel has an elevator, guests usually must take some (steep) stairs to get to their rooms, though this is typical in Canal Ring hotels.

For such an intimate property, the Dylan impresses with a nice array of amenities geared toward leisure travelers. The stylish Bar Brasserie OCCO, opened in 2016, is already a popular hangout for hotel guests and locals alike. The restaurant and bar offers seasonal specials and a breakfast menu, in addition to cocktails, wine, coffee, and tea, plus outdoor courtyard seating complete with heat lamps. A special High Wine (an afternoon food-and-wine pairing) is available daily. Breakfast at the hotel is not included in the room rate. The real highlight here is the Michelin-starred Vinkeles restaurant, opened for dinner only, which serves contemporary French cuisine in an exclusive space that was used as a bakery in the 18th century.The hotel gym is tiny, but it includes a full set of free weights and modern cardio equipment, including a treadmill, an elliptical, and a stationary bike. Bike rentals are available through the hotel. Valet- and self-parking are available for extra fees and airport shuttle service can be arranged. Event spaces include private dining rooms and larger rooms which can accommodate up to 150 guests; the hotel has in-house wedding planners. For guests traveling with children, the hotel offers kid-oriented concierge service, kids' menus, high chairs, cribs, and babysitting, among other extras. Service is high-end and includes turndown service and 24-hour room and concierge service. Wi-Fi is free throughout.