A moody bar and sun-lit restaurant were among the spaces added during the renovation of this hotel, which encompasses 25 historic canal houses in Amsterdam.

First opened in 1968 by local businessman Peter Pulitzer, Pulitzer Amsterdam hotel comprised originally of 12 canal houses in the city's centre that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The updated hotel contains 13 more properties so it spans two major canals.

The redesign led by architect Jacu Strauss, creative director of hospitality group Lore Group, who lived in Amsterdam for four years when redesigning Pulitzer Amsterdam.

He used the time to familiarise himself with the city's colour palettes and architectural styles best portrayed in Dutch Golden Age paintings from the mid-1600s.

"The houses are restored 17th- and 18th-century canal houses that once set the scene for prosperous business deals between trade merchants and played home to the decadent and flamboyant lives of Dutch aristocrats," Strauss told Dezeen.

"I was inspired by the rich history of the houses and the ones who may have occupied them over the past hundreds of years from the Golden Age on."

Strauss opted to retain as much of the canal houses' unique details as possible, including floors, moulding and trim, while fusing these historic elements with contemporary designs.

"I would take every bit as an inspiration [in the city] whether it would be the colours and tones of a masters painting in the Rijksmuseum, a detail on a canal house or a boat trip through the canals," he said.

Meandering pathways, alleys and gardens are used to link various areas in Pulitzer Amsterdam from the restaurant, bar, to the 225 suites, meeting rooms and event spaces.

Many of these, such as restaurant Jansz, are designed to evoke Amsterdam's rich past as a prosperous port city. Grey-blue wainscoting, wood floors and black bentwood chairs add a traditional touch, alongside soft pink curtains and white trim windows.

On the walls of the restaurant are vintage paintings similar to ones found in canal houses centuries ago, or at Amsterdam's art museums.

Nearby is all-day cafe Pause with glass walls overlooking. Warm wood and pale grey tiles are offset by bright green dining chairs with brass legs.

Hotel suites are similarly designed in a traditional style with contemporary touches. Walls are painted in cream or mauve, with pale blue carpeting or herringbone wood floors. Pops of yellow and pink round out the decor.

Pulitzer Amsterdam's hotel bar has a contemporary, moody atmosphere that contrasts it with the rest of the project. Dark walls and floors pop against a central yellow bar with a geometric design.

Purple features again though with light purple stools with chrome bases. The design is a retro feel akin to mid-century modernism, complete with large globe lights.

Pulitzer Amsterdam is located in the city centre neighbourhood and Negen Straatjes shopping quarter. Soho House's membership club, which also has interiors inspired by colours used by Dutch masters is located nearby.

Other hotels in the city include the QO hotel by local design studio Tank with Conran and Partners, which features white-washed suites and charcoal-toned bathrooms.

Photography is courtesy of Pulitzer Amsterdam.