Vintage photo of the interior of the ambassade hotel in amsterdam, showcasing its historic design and classic ambiance.

The History of the Ambassade Hotel

Where timeless elegance meets modern comfort

The Ambassade Hotel, a true haven for writers, consists of sixteen historic canal houses. These monumental buildings were once the residences and offices of successful merchants, bankers, and other prominent figures of their time. The hotel first opened its doors in 1953, starting with just one house. Over the years, it gradually expanded by acquiring and connecting neighboring canal houses, resulting in the unique and charming layout that we enjoy today.

Many renowned authors have stayed with us, including Umberto Eco, Salman Rushdie, Paul Auster, Isabel Allende, Jonathan Safran Foer, Nathan Englander, and nearly all the Nobel Prize winners for literature in recent years, such as V.S. Naipaul, Toni Morrison, Mario Vargas Llosa, Herta Müller, Günter Grass, Orhan Pamuk, and José Saramago. Dutch authors are also well represented in our collection, with frequent visits from Jan Siebelink and Arthur Japin.

Vintage photo of an old room interior at the ambassade hotel in amsterdam, showcasing classic furnishings and decor.

Vintage photo of the staircase and entrance of the ambassade hotel in amsterdam, showcasing historic architectural details.

Vintage photo of historic canal houses lined up along the herengracht in amsterdam.

Other buildings are in use by the Ambassade Hotel too, but for other purposes: a few houses further along the Herengracht is the hotel’s Float & Massage Centre known as Koan Float. Except for the building at 335 Herengracht, all the canal-side buildings are physically interconnected. So as not to unnecessarily damage the original character of these canal-side homes, small sets of stairs and landings can be found at various places in the halls and in some of the rooms themselves to bridge the differences in floor elevations between the buildings.

Vintage photo of the oude spiegelstraat in amsterdam, showing historic buildings and street scene.

1906 – Oude Spiegelstraat

Within the canal district

The Ambassade Hotel is intimately tied to the rich history of Amsterdam’s iconic canals. Situated along the Herengracht, excavated in 1614, the hotel occupies one of the most prominent spots in the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Canal District. The Herengracht, alongside the Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, forms the backbone of Amsterdam’s 17th-century canal system, which is celebrated for its timeless beauty. Additionally, part of the hotel extends along the Singel canal, an integral part of Amsterdam’s medieval waterway network. This unique location offers guests an authentic and immersive experience in the heart of the city’s architectural and cultural legacy.

The Ambassade Hotel is beautifully situated on the odd-numbered side of the Herengracht, where the older, medieval houses stand. This part of Amsterdam was developed before the excavation of the city’s iconic canals, making it an integral part of the city’s early history. Like the Singel canal, this area once housed people of all ranks and classes, living and working side by side. The Herengracht, developed later, marked a division between the newly wealthy elite and the middle class, a distinction that is still visible today from the water. While the Singel canal, with its wooden drawbridges, once served as a bustling inland harbor for large ships, the elegant Herengracht, with its refined brick bridges, was reserved for smaller boats, reflecting the growing sophistication of Amsterdam’s urban landscape.

Historic photo of anne frank standing on the stairs of a canal house in amsterdam.

Historic photo of anne frank attending school in amsterdam.

Vintage photo of the building at singel 390 along the canal in amsterdam.

Next to the former shop of Otto Frank, Opekta

The hatred of Jews and the poor economic situation made Anne’s parents, Otto and Edith Frank, decide to move to Amsterdam. There, Otto founded a company that traded in pectin, a gelling agent for making jam. The Ambassade Hotel is located next to the former site of Otto Frank’s pectin trading company, Opekta, at Singel 400 – a place steeped in history. Otto Frank, the father of Anne Frank, ran his business here before his family went into hiding. By 1940, however, the company had already moved to the Prinsengracht, where the Frank family later hid in the annex.

The hotel’s location, right next to this historical site, offers guests the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Frank family and their time in Amsterdam. Just a short distance away is the Anne Frank House, where Anne and her family hid. This proximity makes the Ambassade Hotel a unique place for those wanting to learn more about the legacy of the Frank family and their experiences during World War II.

Timeline

The Ambassade Hotel’s rich history began in 1953 with a single canal house at Herengracht 349. Over the decades, it expanded by acquiring several neighboring properties, including historic buildings along Herengracht and Singel, gradually transforming into a renowned literary hotel.

1953

Herengracht 349

In 1867, Herengracht 349 was sold to glassblower Laurens Petri, who occasionally rented out the canal house. The property remained in the Petri family’s possession until 1953. That year, a new owner acquired the property: Hotel Ambassade. Hotel Ambassade was founded on April 1, 1953, by Cornelis van der Velden. At that time, the hotel consisted solely of Herengracht 349 and had ten rooms.

1965

Herengracht 337

The canal house at Herengracht 337 was built in 1886. Its residents were primarily merchants and bank employees. In 1965, Herengracht 337 became the first expansion of Hotel Ambassade, which had been founded in 1953.

1967

Herengracht 353

The original Herengracht 353, a shop house with an upper residence and a rear house, dates back to the early seventeenth century. The building was not thoroughly renovated until the twentieth century, when it was acquired by Hotel Ambassade in 1967.

1968

Herengracht 339

Between 1939 and 1968, the canal house was owned and used as a workplace by textile merchant Franciscus Claushuis. He also made modifications to the building, with the renovation taking place in several phases, the last of which was completed in 1963. Together with Herengracht 341, which he acquired in 1961, he established his business in these properties. In 1968, the business moved to the Keizersgracht. In the same year, Herengracht 339, along with Herengracht 341, became part of Hotel Ambassade.

1968

Herengracht 341

During World War II, on March 20, 1941, Herengracht 341 was struck by a fire that destroyed the entire fourth floor and the attic. It wasn’t until 1963 that restoration work finally began. Hotel Ambassade acquired Herengracht 341 in 1968.

1983

Herengracht 343

In the twentieth century, Herengracht 343 was, albeit for a short time, the residence of a famous Dutchman: the writer Simon Vestdijk. At the end of his studies, he lived in this building. In 1983, Herengracht 343 became part of Hotel Ambassade.

1985

Herengracht 335

The construction of Herengracht 335 began after an undeveloped plot of land was purchased in 1638, which later proved to be a wise investment. Upon completion of the building, the property was sold to Nicolaes Verhaegh, one of the largest grain merchants of his time. The Verhaegh family kept Herengracht 335 in their possession for several generations. In 1909, the property was acquired by a real estate company, but its appearance changed little over the centuries. In 1985, Hotel Ambassade acquired Herengracht 335.

1988

Herengracht 345-347

The two canal houses were previously owned by Anna Staringh, a Catholic widow who “dealt” in something very different. As a hypnotist and magnetizer, she entertained the entire Amsterdam “beau monde” in her home. Another notable woman was Bertha van der Zwaag, a well-known courtesan of the time. Since 1988, the double property at Herengracht 345-347 has been part of Hotel Ambassade.

1991

Singel 388

Before Singel 388 was acquired by Hotel Ambassade in 1991, the property, along with Singel 390, was part of the ownership of a company that acted as an agent and importer of bicycle parts.

1994

Herengracht 321

In 1994, the property was acquired by Hotel Ambassade, along with Herengracht 323, and now houses the health center ‘Koan Float’.

1994

Herengracht 323

The property was demolished in 1941. Architect Wolff Beffie retained the clock gable in the new Herengracht 323. The building was divided into commercial space on the ground floor and residential units above. Jan Duthil acquired Herengracht 323 in 1973 and converted it into apartments. In 1994, the property, along with Herengracht 321, was purchased by Hotel Ambassade and now houses the health center ‘Koan Float’.

1999

Oude Spiegelstraat 7

In 1999, Hotel Ambassade took over the property at Oude Spiegelstraat 7. It is currently used by Uitgeverij Samsara and as an extension of the Ambassade Art Gallery.

Vintage photo of staff memeber standing at the check-in desk of the ambassade hotel in amsterdam.

1954 – Reception

The first canal house

In 1953, more than three centuries after the Herengracht was created, the first house of the Ambassade Hotel was established in the building at 349 Herengracht. This was a time of rebuilding and renewal in Amsterdam, following the devastation of World War II. Over the years, the hotel gradually expanded by acquiring and connecting neighboring canal houses, creating the charming and unique layout it is known for today. Each building has preserved its own historical features, such as wooden beams, original façades, and largely high ceilings. The hotel itself is celebrated for its rich history, unique design, and commitment to preserving the character of Amsterdam’s canal district, all while being part of the city’s revival in the post-war era.

Librarian organizing books at the ambassade hotel library.

Stack of guestbooks from the ambassade hotel.

The Writers’ Hotel

The fact that the Ambassade Hotel is intertwined with art and literature is made visible everywhere. Since the internal structure had somewhat lost its original character over time, Cruz y Ortiz were commissioned in 2014 to reorganize the public spaces and create more unity. This allowed for enough space for a brasserie, a lounge/bar, and a prominent area for the unique collection of signed books and the extensive CoBrA art collection. Right at the entrance, guests are welcomed by a CoBrA sculpture in a golden niche, a subtle but highly significant introduction to the rest of the spaces, where art is beautifully integrated into the decor. The extensive and unique collection of signed books was also given the place it deserves in the appropriately named Library Bar and Library Lounge.

Since the mid-1980s, it has been a cherished tradition at the Ambassade Hotel to invite authors to sign a copy of their latest book and leave a few words in the guest book during their stay. In addition to inscriptions by authors, the guest book features entries from musicians, actors, painters, philosophers, architects, and politicians, many of whom have stayed at the hotel by invitation of cultural foundations.

The Library Bar boasts a collection that has grown to over 5,000 copies of works by authors from 76 different countries. The collection, curated by the hotel’s own librarian Eelco Douma, primarily consists of literary works but also includes books on a wide range of topics. The guest books are kept in a separate section of the bookcase, and upon request, guests are welcome to explore both the books and the guest books. These guest books are filled with beautiful and inspiring quotes, along with personal dedications from the many famous individuals who have stayed at the hotel, making it a truly unique cultural treasure.

Guest opening the curtains in a room at the ambassade hotel in amsterdam, revealing a view of historic canal houses.

View Rooms & Suites

Explore the room types of our 56 uniquely decorated rooms & suites

Decorative detail of a mirror and chandelier at the ambassade hotel in amsterdam, showcasing elegant interior design.

Book now

Book directly through our website and get the best available rate