Founded in 1865, the hotel has 402 rooms, a convention center, restaurants, and a pier for boats on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal.

The original owner of the hotel, Adolph Wilhelm Krasnapolsky, purchased the building in 1865 and turned it into a restaurant in 1866.

Salm, was constructed, featuring modern elements such as glass, steel, and electric lighting.

After World War I, more buildings were purchased and the hotel was extended to Pijlsteeg.

[3] The hotel is referred to several times in the Swedish novel Socialisten by Ivar Lo-Johansson.