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.

He expanded the property by acquiring adjacent buildings and adding rooms between 1879 and 1880.

During the same period, a conservatory with palm trees and a cupola, designed by architect G.B.

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