The NH Doelen Hotel, which overlooks the Amstel Canal. Water taxis like the one in the foreground are very commonplace in Amsterdam. They make up just one piece of a very effective mass transit program that seeks to reduce automobile traffic in the city. The NH Doelen Hotel, which overlooks the Amstel Canal. Water taxis like the one in the foreground are very commonplace in Amsterdam. They make up just one piece of a very effective mass transit program that seeks to reduce automobile traffic in the city.