This autumn, The Dylan Amsterdam unveils a considered round of renovations that sharpen the hotel’s identity while keeping faith with its 17th-century bones. Set on the Keizersgracht and housed within Amsterdam’s first stone theatre by Jacob van Campen, the five-star property has completed a multi-phase transformation of 21 of its 41 rooms and suites. The approach is quiet, confident and strongly tied to craft, timeless design, and bespoke craftsmanship.
Guests still enter through the original gate, inscribed with a verse by Joost van den Vondel, before stepping into spaces that balance period character with modern restraint. The recent work began with the Loft Suites, where Amsterdam-based Studio Linse and Format Furniture distilled The Dylan’s palette into tactile woods, natural stone and soft textiles. “We wanted the rooms to feel quietly confident. No marble or gold, just materials that speak for themselves,” says Paul Linse, founder and design director of Studio Linse. Expect custom oak cabinetry with quartzite tops, freestanding Vallone bathtubs and living areas layered with vintage pieces and handpicked furnishings.
The Serendipity building, an annex added in 2014 and originally designed by Dutch interior architect Remy Meijers, has also been fully renewed. Studio Linse introduced ornamental mouldings, warmer tones and soft carpets, while Format Furniture produced made-to-measure vanities, mirrors and lighting for every bathroom. From the luxury category upwards, rooms now feature freestanding Vallone tubs. “Every piece was made to measure,” says Jikke Snelleman, co-founder of Format Furniture. “It’s not about opulence—it’s about timelessness.”
Sustainability sits alongside design as a guiding principle. The hotel, already Green Globe certified, has installed Fineo high-performance insulation glass throughout the Serendipity building to reduce heat loss without compromising historic sightlines. Interior façade insulation improves thermal performance while preserving the listed exterior. A heat-recovery ventilation system now captures warmth from airflow to cut energy waste, and a seasonal thermal energy storage system is underway to provide low-impact heating and cooling via underground storage. The result is quieter comfort, delivered with a lighter footprint.
The refresh extends to the hotel’s shared spaces and culinary offering. Restaurant Vinkeles, the hotel’s Michelin two-star anchor set in an 18th-century bakery, continues to lead the culinary programme. A new gym with Technogym equipment is planned for spring 2026. A reimagined lounge sets a relaxed tone, while até, an intimate six-seat chef’s table, adds a different rhythm to dining at the property. Meeting rooms have been brought into line with the aesthetic and experiential standards of the historic event salons, Ariana, Atrium, Regents and Barbou, some of which open to a secluded inner garden for ceremonies and private suppers.
With 21 rooms now complete and further enhancements in motion, The Dylan Amsterdam leans into a clear vision: heritage architecture, contemporary ease and design choices that feel good in the hand as well as to the eye. It is an evolution rather than a reinvention, and it shows.
