Hotel Des Indes is part of the Luxury Collection of the Starwood group. It has a tradition of 134 years of welcoming guests including royalty and celebrities and offers elegance and grandeur in the heart of The Hague.
Built in 1858 as a city palace and a hotel since 1881, Hotel Des Indes pays tribute to the rich history of The Hague. Completely renovated by interior designer Jacques Garcia in 2006, the 92 guest rooms and suites combine a blend of contemporary amenities with traditional architectural statements. When you visit The Hague, this is the place you should stay at. The location is excellent and a nice stroll into the city centre which is a stone’s throw away, it is the perfect location to appreciate The Hague.
You are a 10 minutes walk away from Noordeinde an upmarket shopping street which also houses Paleis Noordeinde, one of the three official Dutch Royal Residences. Het Binnenhof which house the Dutch parliament, and is the oldest parliament building in the world that is still in use, is also within 10 minutes walking distance from the hotel. Around the corner from Hotel Des Indes is de Denneweg which is the prime shopping street for antiques, fashion and trendy eateries.
Lobby and Business Area
Right from the moment you step into Hotel Des Indes, you are instantly taken back in time. Its decor certainly gives you a taste of the finest quality of architecture that The Hague has to offer. It has a warm autumn feel about it and the staircases are just grand. The extensive range of furniture and the way it is laid out is just gorgeous. I decided to walk around at 4 am in the morning to appreciate the hotel and its glories of history.
Room
I stayed at the superior room, and what I immediately liked was the room numbers that are painted on old tulip style vase which gave it a very classic and traditional feel. The room type I stayed in overlooked the back of the hotel and had a nice view of the traditional houses of The Hague. I could see these views through the oval windows which I adored. The room was tucked away on the fourth floor and I was on a corner part of the hotel.
The thoughtfulness of the details in the Superior Room at Hotel Des Indes caters to your sense of historical grandeur. This room is a perfect choice that offers the latest comfort, tasteful furnishings, excellent bedding and modern amenities. The bed linen and the comfort of it were amazing and very cosy indeed. At night the room was set up for a good night’s rest and the simple touches like a specific tea to help you sleep was personal and welcoming. The TV was modern simple and not imposing to the room at all.
I am a huge fan of marble and the bathroom was lovely and the shower head was powerful for the perfect shower experience. The products by Elemis in the bathroom are excellent. The complimentary drinks which were water, tea and Nespresso coffee were a perfect balance. The mini bar was excellent and the contents enough for me to enjoy my room stay.
Spa & Gym
The hotel has a small pool and Spa treatment rooms which make the overall experience of staying here even better. The treatment rooms are spacious and blended in well with the rest of the hotel.
Restaurant
The restaurant with its old grandeur really attracts the fashion conscious to dine here. The amount of young men clearly shows that Hotel Des Indes is welcoming and a perfect place to dine in a luxury setting.
Breakfast
The breakfast atmosphere is truly an experience one must do. The setting itself gives you the grand appreciation of Hotel Des Indes. The food selection available for breakfast is overwhelming in a great way. The healthy selection is fantastic and there is so much choice you will not go hungry. The coffee is yummy too. There is also a nice selection of Spanish meats and olives to choose from. Let us not forget the Dutch cheese available too. I thought the nut selection and dried fruits was fantastic. The fresh yoghurt was divine. The Dutch love their yoghurt.
History
Hotel Des Indes is a collection of unique experiences. Kings and Emperors have stayed here. On January 22nd 1931, journalists sat in Hotel Des Indes waiting for news of Anna Pavlova, the world-famous ballerina, who was critically ill with pneumonia. In the middle of the night, her Dutch impresario announced that the greatest dancer of all times had passed away. This room to the right of the entrance was later named after her. It is now a dedicated cigar room and the choices of cigars are to die for.
Cigar Room dedicated to Anna Pavlova
This hotel has stood the test of time through history. In the 1930s the economic situation worsened and Hotel Des Indes was greatly affected. So from time to time, the hotel hosted the privileged few. For example, in December 1936 the engagement party of Princess Juliana and her future husband, Prince Bernhard, was celebrated in Hotel Des Indes.
The building and its history are what Hotel Des Indes is famous for. It gives you a luxury taste of the high-end way of experiencing The Hague. The staff were very warm and welcoming. The decor and the ambience are experiences one has to go for. Hotel Des Indes certainly gives you the appreciation of 130 years of elegance and grandeur. It is the perfect introduction of what The Hague has to offer. In 1971, the hotel closed and reopened in 1979, so for me that alone gives me an appreciation of how special this hotel is. With a history, so embedded in the Des Indes hotel, it makes it the perfect stay for when you visit The Hague.
Details
- Room Reviewed: Superior Room – From €149 (breakfast not included)
- Website: hoteldesindes.nl
- Address: Lange Voorhout 54-56, 2514 EG Den Haag, Netherlands
- Phone: +31 70 361 2345
