In 1881, Hotel des Indes opened its doors on the Lange Voorhout. Before it was a hotel, the building was the city palace of Baron van Brienen. He had it built in 1858. The Baron was a personal advisor to King William III. He often stayed in The Hague and wanted a house where he could receive important guests. Originally, carriages could drive inside, so that the Baron could still get out dry in bad weather. The baron lived there for about 20 years. The city palace was briefly owned by his son after 1877, but in 1881 it became a hotel.