Hotel Des Indes The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands

Hotel Des Indes The Hague is our choice of hotel in the Dutch capital. The old adage is that Dutch people work in Rotterdam, play in Amsterdam and live in The Hague. We had never visited the Hague before and it was not long before we realised why it would be such a great place to call home. Missing the dreadful packed streets, tacky bars and souvenir shops of Amsterdam and the industry of Rotterdam, this is a city rich in history and culture without their busy intensity.

Close to the Hotel Des Indes The Hague and at the heart of the city is the Binnenhof Royal Palace reflected in the Hofvijver, a scenic lake decorated by swans and waterfowl. You can freely stroll through its courtyards before dropping in to the adjacent, small but perfectly formed, Mauritshuis a 17th-century nobleman’s town house. With its dozens of Rembrandts and Vermeers, Steens and Holbeins, the Mauritshuis is one of the world’s great small museums, and includes Vermeer’s Girl With the Pearl Earring in its collection. For modern art try the Gemeentemuseum for an unparalleled selection of Mondrians and more.

The remaining City centre streets are largely pedestrian and a short walk from the palace brings you to a most of the city centre attractions. Perhaps try good-value bistros and browse the quirky fashion shops or designer antique emporiums of the old Hofkwartier or the historic old streets of Willemspark.

You can take a lazy bike ride along cycle lanes all the way to the seaside suburb of Scheveningen – a sort of small-scale Dutch Brighton – for Sunday brunch in a revamped beach pavilion.

You can also experience the coast without going that far – the Panorama Mesdag is a huge – and hugely impressive – cylindrical landscape painting from 1881 of the beach and fledgling resort at Scheveningen displayed in a purpose built round building.  You can almost feel the sea breeze.

In such a delightful historic environment there is really on one place to stay. The Hotel Des Indes The Hague is a Belle Époque style gem that some ten years or so ago was revamped by the French interior designer Jacques Garcia (of Hotel Costes, Paris fame) in a playfully sumptuous style.

Formerly Baron van Brienen’s town residence, complete with rotunda and sparkling chandeliers, Garcia has brought red silks and purple velvet to the bar and hand painted tulip murals to the halls.

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Hotel Des Indes The Hague bedrooms classily add rich fabrics and colours like dark maroon to a background of cream walls and black wood.

Bathrooms are similarly decadent with purple walls, marble sinks carved from solid blocks of stone, hand painted tiles and black slate floors. There are luxurious beds, quality bath robes and toiletries, Nespresso machines, huge TV’s in very spacious rooms that also seem to have perfect soundproofing.

Breakfasts are from an impressive buffet with a big selection including varied baked breads and pastries, fresh fruits and juices and some hot choices.

If you want more there is are excellent afternoon teas and dining options, an atmospheric bar and a small spa.

Directly outside the door of the Hotel Des Indes The Hague are the antique shops and boutiques of the historic Denneweg and with pretty much everything else in the city centre within ten minutes easy stroll you would be hard picked to find a better spot for your stay in this delightful city.

CELLOPHANELAND* were guests of the Hotel Des Indes The Hague

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