Memorable Stays in Amsterdam's 9 Streets Neighborhood

Travel Writers
Sat, 21 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

By Nicola Bridges

Amsterdam's historic canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a beautiful and eclectic symphony of 17th-century elegance where gabled houses line the canal-side like architectural soldiers standing at attention.

At the heart sits The Dylan Amsterdam — a five-star boutique hotel that champions understated luxury. I'm always looking for a sense of place when I travel, and after a multiphase design refresh, The Dylan is more than just a place to lay your head. It's a timeless destination that perfectly captures how modern luxury is evolving to embrace both sophistication and sustainability.
Updated: Sun Mar 22, 2026

By Nicola Bridges

Amsterdam's historic canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a beautiful and eclectic symphony of 17th-century elegance where gabled houses line the canal-side like architectural soldiers standing at attention.

At the heart sits The Dylan Amsterdam — a five-star boutique hotel that champions understated luxury. I'm always looking for a sense of place when I travel, and after a multiphase design refresh, The Dylan is more than just a place to lay your head. It's a timeless destination that perfectly captures how modern luxury is evolving to embrace both sophistication and sustainability.

The Dylan's refresh is evident the moment you walk in. It stays true to its heritage aesthetics but embraces and integrates modern values. Select rooms and suites have been entirely reimagined, featuring bespoke oak cabinetry, cool quartzite surfaces and the exquisite touch of Vallone bathtubs. These turn bathing into a restorative ritual after days spent strolling Amsterdam's De Negen Straatjes — The 9 Streets neighborhood that is full of charming culture.

Housed within the walls of a former theater and orphanage, the hotel's commitment to curated experiences can even be tasted. The Dylan is home to two-star Michelin Restaurant Vinkeles, where you can dine under the romantic vaulted archways of what was once a 17th-century bakery and today serves French cuisine with flair.

For a more relaxed indulgence, you can savor The Dylan's signature High Wine experience at its Bar Brasserie OCCO — a sophisticated pairing of fine vintage wines with seasonal savory bites that is a decidedly Dutch twist on high tea.

However, the true magic of The Dylan lies in its perfect location: the confluence of the stately and famed Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) street located in the labyrinth charm of De Negen Straatjes.

Outside the hotel's private courtyard, you're immediately immersed in Amsterdam's premier boutique shopping hub. The nine historic, picturesque streets cross the Keizersgrach, Singel, Herengracht and Prinsengracht canals, making it a pedestrian paradise for wandering their 250 specialty shops, eateries and galleries.

The street names — including Wolvenstraat (Wolf Street), Berenstraat (Bear Street) and Huidenstraat (Skins Street) — are a historical nod to the neighborhood's 17th-century roots as a center for Amsterdam's fur and leather trades.

Today they're lined with artisan jewelers, fashion boutiques, and high-end vintage stores on the Runstraat and design havens on the Berenstraat. My favorite store, though, is the legendary cheese purveyor, De Kaaskamer van Amsterdam.

A short stroll then leads you to the Anne Frank House, a powerful reminder of the city's wartime history. To understand Amsterdam's aquatic foundation, The Grachtenmuseum, Museum of the Canals, gives a fascinating multimedia look at how this swampy delta was engineered into one of the world's most famous and memorable urban landscapes.

For a more theatrical stay, check into The Toren hotel, with its opulent velvet wallpaper and evocative baroque-inspired styling and rich color schemes. Housed in two 17th-century canal-side houses, it has stunning views.

Or you might prefer the five-star Pulitzer Amsterdam, which takes up 25 interconnected 17th- and 18th-century canal houses. Its interior masterfully blends historical character and contemporary Dutch design, with themed suites that include the Book Collector's Suite, the Art Collector's Suite, the Flower Collector's Suite and the Porcelain Collector's Suite. For a truly authentic experience, the hotel's classic 1909 salon boat, The Tourist, tours guests along the canal waterways, departing from its private dock.

If you're seeking an intimate atmosphere that feels more like being in an Amsterdammer's home, the Seven Bridges Hotel is a 300-year-old gem situated at the picturesque intersection of the Reguliersgracht and Keizersgracht in The 9 Streets. Named for its iconic view of seven tiered stone bridges visible from the hotel's doorstep, it is also renowned for its collection of Baroque to Art Deco antiques. With only eight rooms, the service at Seven Bridges Hotel is highly personal.

Wherever you decide to stay, The Dylan and neighboring historic hotels make a great base for exploring The 9 Streets neighborhood and experiencing this evolving heart of Amsterdam.

WHEN YOU GO

For more on the neighborhood and its famous canals: amsterdam.info

Museum of the Canals: hetgrachtenhuis.nl

For hotel information:

The Dylan Amsterdam: dylanamsterdam.com

Pulitzer Amsterdam: pultizeramsterdam.com

Seven Bridges Hotel: sevenbridgeshotel.nl

The Pulitzer Amsterdam features themed suites, including the airily adorned Art Collector's Suite. Photo courtesy of The Pulitzer Amsterdam.

The Luxury Suite with a garden view at The Dylan Amsterdam is the perfect place to recoup from a day of walking or cycling the Dutch way around The 9 Streets, a culturally eclectic canal-side neighborhood. Photo courtesy of the Dylan Amsterdam.

The Dylan Amsterdam's private courtyard is the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring The 9 Streets canal-side neighborhood of vintage shops and galleries. Photo courtesy of Knack.

Nicola Bridges is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.