A recommended “to do” for any guest visiting Amsterdam is a private boat tour in a traditional salon boat. Captain Nico and his team will guide you along the canals and show you the city from a different perspective. We spoke with Nico and asked him to share his story about the long-standing collaboration between him and The Dylan.
“The connection between me and The Dylan goes a long way back. I sailed as captain for another 5 star hotel and got to know Mr. Bornmann very well. When he became the General Manager of The Dylan, I was the first in line to provide private boat tours for guests of the hotel. We have a great relationship and both know very well what we want. Quality, craftsmanship and the same vision helps us in understanding each other. Personal relationships are highly valuable in hospitality. Two of my employees had worked at The Dylan before, and now they are working with me as captains. They very much enjoy extending the personal service that the hotel offers to our mutual guests.
Classic salon boats are perfect for guests who enjoy privacy. For example, we often welcome celebrities on board. They get recognized everywhere on the streets, but still like to be out and about. A private boat is a great way “out’’ for them! Obviously, I have a loads of fond memories and anecdotes of funny
experiences on board. Once, I welcomed a couple who were visiting Amsterdam. We sailed past The Dylan and when I told them it was a hotel, they wanted to have a look inside. When they returned to the boat they asked me if I could collect their suitcases at the other hotel, as they decided to stay here for the rest of their time in town. Onother fun story which one of my team members experienced, is that our boat was only used as a taxi and storage room. Our guests went shopping and their staff brought their purchases to the boat. When they wanted to go to another store, they took the boat and went on.
In 2004 I started rebuilding and restoring ‘The Kleijn Amsterdam’, an antique Dutch river launch from 1905, built by the shipyard “Tans en Zonen’’, in Rotterdam. A year later it was completely renovated. Whilst retaining all the original features, we added present-day comfort and she now sails on 100% electric power. Having electric engines was a sustainability decision, but it also increased the comfort. You do not hear a thing whilst sailing, there is no vibration of the windows or shaking of the boat. Once aboard, guests are often surprised how silently we float our way through the canals! In 2010, I started rebuilding and restoring “The Muze’’ which restoration was completed in 2011. The Muze is an antique Dutch river launch from 1913, built by the shipyard “Rijnstroom’’ of F. Meijer & Co, in Leiden. The Muze retained her original features with present-day comfort and has since also become powered by electricity.’’
I often get asked “What do you do next to this?’’as if it’s an on-the-side job, but it’s a real craft.
Nico Bax
NL
DE
