100 Years by the Dam
More than just a place to sleep, we’re a century-old success story that has never stopped evolving for the independent traveler.
A Legacy of Success
This historic property has been around since the 1920s. Founded by Mr. J.H. Tinus Coffeng, it has seen some serious history—including surviving WWII as an open, operational haven right under occupation. After that, it was managed by a local Dutch family for decades before an English-Italian couple stepped in during the 1970s to give it a fresh international perspective.
Ready for the Next Chapter
The hotel enjoyed a successful run through the 1980s, but as the decade came to a close, the property quietly fell behind modern travel trends. With shared bathrooms still standard across the halls, the vintage layout had not yet caught up with evolving guest expectations. It remained a building rich with history, but it was ready for a new chapter of dedicated care.
Evolving for the Modern Traveler
The property entered a new era in the early 1990s when a Dutch-Finnish family took the helm, immediately launching a massive modernization project to give every room its own private bathroom. Since that first big transformation, the hotel has been continuously upgraded, renovated, and refreshed to stay ahead of the curve.
Passing the Torch of Success
Today, the second generation of the Dutch-Finnish owners are stepping up to master the craft—handling the fast-paced daily details, building connections with travelers who return year after year, and steering a busy hotel in the beating heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals. A full century after first opening as Hotel de Gerstekorrel, Hotel Damsquare remains proudly family-run, keeping its authentic, independent heart intact for the road ahead.