Blossoms to sunbeams

As Amsterdam awakens from her winter sleep, fresh green leaves and beautifully blossoming trees breathe new life into the city. The first rays of sunshine have reached our secluded garden and open boats drift down the canals again. Make the most out of the warmer months and explore our spring & summer suggestions, carefully curated by our concierge team.

Amsterdam offers a tapestry of experiences that blend casual elegance with cultural richness. From exploring iconic attractions like the Keukenhof gardens to discovering lesser known gems, there is no shortage of enchanting adventures to indulge in. Join us in making the most out of the season now the sun is back in town.

A quintessential springtime activity in The Netherlands is to visit the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, which is just a 40 minute drive from The Dylan. As the park first opened its doors in 1950, this year marks their 75th anniversary. Each year, the gardeners plant around 7 million flower bulbs at the park, which are dug up again when the season is over, enabling the cycle of autumn planting, spring flowering and summer harvesting to start anew. Over 1600 varieties of bulbs are used, half of which are our national flower: tulips! Keeping up with Keukenhof ‘s changing appearance, new designs are created every year, so a visit will never be the same. Visits are possible every day from 21 March – 12 May, our concierge team is delighted to assist in arranging a private transfer or a guided tour for a wonderful day out.

Apart from our tulips, the Dutch are well known to grab a bike whenever they can! Hop on one of our Roetz bikes and explore the city. Our all-time favourite spots are highlighted on here, but as soon as the first sunrays hit the canals, all Amsterdammers are eager to catch up on some Vitamin D. Some local favorites to enjoy bitterballen in open air: for the best views over the Amstel river, Marie Sur L’Eau at hotel De L’Europe is undoubtely the place to go. A more casual option would be Cafe de Jaren, which is located
in the same street. For a true sense of place, try one of the terraces at the Torensluis bridge. Amsterdam has many historic ‘hofjes’ or courtyards that now serve as terraces. Hidden gems, really. Of course, our very own secluded garden cannot be missed on the list, but if you’re out exploring town, the garden of Lion Noir makes a good alternative. Looking for more greenery? There are several terraces in Vondelpark that are worth visiting, so is Merkelbach at Park Frankendael with their beautiful period garden terrace, or De Plantage near Artis Royal Zoo.

As the Dutch weather inevitably comes with an occasional drizzle, a visit to the heralded Rijksmuseum might serve as a welcome refuge. Until 9 June, a special Frans Hals exhibition is on, which assembles around 50 of his key works from international top collections. Admired and sometimes despised for his ‘rough-and ready style’, Hals’ oeuvre earned him a reputation as a forerunner of impressionism. By deliberately leaving out detail in parts of his paintings, the emphasis on elements as facial expressions,
movement of characters and symbolic gestures bring out a sense of liveliness and motion in his paintings. Unprecedented in his time. This practise has been adopted by many Dutch masters, but it was only Hals to initiate this artform hundreds of years earlier.

There is no better way to end the day than with a sunset cruise along Amsterdam’s iconic canals. Picture yourself aboard a luxurious antique saloon boat, gliding gracefully through the serene waters of the city. Take in the golden hour whilst you enjoy a gastronomic menu catered by Amsterdam’s finest restaurants. Sip Champagne as you watch the sky ablaze with fiery colors, casting a magical glow over Amsterdam’s timeless beauty, promising an unforgettable evening of culinary delights and breathtaking views….

”For me, the best way to explore Amsterdam is by boat. The most tranquil way to take in the canals, the architecture. Just watch it all go by…” – Eddy Bierman, Les Clefs d’Or Concierge