Following a €35 million renovation, the historic Hotel Des Indes in The Hague will officially re-open on September 12, 2005 as Le Méridien Hotel Des Indes.
An integral part of the history of The Hague, the hotel has played host to numerous Kings, Emperors, heads of state and celebrities since opening its doors to guests in 1881.Ê These have included President Roosevelt, President Chirac, Tony Blair, Anna Pavlova and the Spice Girls!Ê The newly renovated Le Méridien Hotel Des Indes is ready to return to its position as a popular hub for tourists, business people and local residents alike.

When the hotel opened in 1881 the first guest of honour was HRH Prince Frederik, the second son of King Willem I who officially inaugurated the hotel.Ê The interest in the hotel was immense and in the first week 2,000 people had crossed the threshold to experience the splendour of the Des Indes. The majestic building at the Lange Voorhout in the centre of the city is now about to commence the next chapter in its long history.

Le Méridien Hotel Des Indes, will offer guests a choice of 92 rooms, including 13 suites. The bedroom design is an eclectic mix of modern and antique using red glass wall hangings and patterned glass.Ê To add interest to the corridors there are bold murals of coloured tulips.

All of the bedrooms have luxurious bathrooms, many with two white marble basins, sunk into red Portuguese custom-made tiles.Ê Beautiful black marble floors provide a dramatic contrast to the white baths and the best rain showers.

The grand atrium, restored to its former glory, is a marvellous “sitting and watching” area with an enormous modern glass chandelier as the centrepiece.Ê Refurbished meeting rooms are available for business meetings or parties from six to 100 guests.

The internationally renowned interior designer, Jacques Garcia, responsible for the design of the Hotel Costes in Paris, was commissioned to mastermind the renovation and the interior design concepts for the hotel.Ê Known for his talent for drawing inspiration from Zen minimalism, neo-Gothic excess, Egyptian revival and Napoleon III extravagance, he has used these influences throughout the hotel to create an atmosphere of grandeur combined with a fetching modern twist.

A new addition to the hotel is a Health Club, with its excellent gym facilities, a luxurious indoor, heated marble swimming pool, steam bath, solarium and a variety of spa treatments.

Executive chef, Ben Hardeman, who during his training worked in Michelin starred restaurants, including “Im Schiffchen” in Dusseldorf, is a classic chef with a modern touch.Ê He claims to retain a strong Dutch influence in his cuisine leant watching his mother cook. For the launch of the new restaurant, called DesIndes, the famous Michelin star chef, Michel Rostang worked alongside Hardeman to create the menu concepts for DesInDes, which will offer the same menu choice in the restaurant, lounge and bar.

General manager, Claudia Pronk, is the youngest Dutch female general manager of a five-star hotel in the Netherlands. Prior to moving to The Hague to spearhead the renovation she was deputy general manager of the 953-bedroom Le Méridien Montparness in Paris.

According to Claudia:Ê “We have been closed for a year and everyone involved in the restoration and the interior design is very excited about the reincarnation of this famous hotel.Ê The hotel has been enhanced to provide our guests with modern facilities whilst retaining the traditional heart and soul of the property.”
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