Hotel Review: Hotel Indigo The Hague
The Hotel Indigo brand positions itself as a boutique hotel inspired by its local neighborhood, drawing on unique aspects of the area's food, design, and cultural scenes. While my wife and I were exploring cities and towns outside Amsterdam, Hotel Indigo The Hague caught our attention with its prime location and thoughtfully preserved design, reflecting its history as a former bank. Since we wanted to dive deep into The Hague’s history and its originality, the Hotel Indigo brand was an excellent choice for us. Its blend of modern comforts with historical charm offered an authentic experience that felt connected to the city’s rich past. Here is my review of Hotel Indigo The Hague:
Hotel Indigo The Hague is located at Noordeinde 33, 2514 GC Den Haag, Netherlands.
Location
Hotel Indigo The Hague is located in the heart of The Hague, Netherlands, directly opposite the Royal Palace Noordeinde, one of the three official palaces of the Dutch royal family. Just a short walk from the hotel is the Mauritshuis, home to a remarkable collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, including Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. Adjacent to the Mauritshuis is the Binnenhof, the seat of the Dutch Parliament, where visitors can learn about the rich history of Dutch governance and democracy. Conveniently located tram and bus stations near the hotel make it easy to explore nearby towns like Leiden and Delft.
Lobby & Check-In Review
Upon arriving at the hotel, the lobby exuded an upscale vibe, reflecting its former identity as a bank. The marble walls and tiled flooring were reminiscent of its past, but the transformation into a hotel introduced modern décor and accent furniture that enlivened the space.
The lobby retained the refined elegance of its former life as a bank, seamlessly blending historic grandeur with modern sophistication.
Beautifully designed lounge chairs and elegant Delft vases added a charming touch, while festive Easter decorations brought a colorful, seasonal flair to the lobby. I particularly appreciated the large glass panels at the entrance, which opened up the space and prevented the enclosed, stuffy feeling that could have otherwise lingered.
With Delft just a stone’s throw away, the lobby greeted guests with the timeless charm of Delft Blue pottery.
As we approached the hotel’s sole front desk, a friendly receptionist greeted us with a warm smile. They acknowledged my Platinum status, though unfortunately, no room upgrades were available at the time. After providing details about the hotel’s breakfast hours and the offsite gym, the receptionist informed us that our room would be ready shortly.
Easter décor in the hotel restaurant infused the space with vibrant color and festive energy.
To make our wait more pleasant, they graciously offered us two complimentary drink vouchers for the hotel bar. I used mine to order the Hermit Dutch Coastal, served with an orange wheel and crafted with a local salty seawater gin that imparted a subtle, refreshing salinity to the cocktail.
I highly recommend trying the different craft gin and tonic variations—some had a uniquely Dutch twist.
After enjoying the drink, we went up to the first floor, where our room was located.
Bedroom Review
As I entered my room, the first thing that caught my eye was the herringbone-patterned wood panel flooring, a fitting nod to the hotel’s historic character. The room was decently sized, but the lofted ceilings created an airy, spacious feel. Tall glass windows flooded the space with natural light, and with the convenience of motorized curtains, blocking out the light at night was as simple as pressing a button. Continuing the navy and gold theme from the lobby, the bedroom featured gold accents in its lighting fixtures and furniture.
The herringbone-patterned wood panel flooring was a tasteful nod to the hotel’s historic character.
The queen-sized bed stood out with its tall, upcycled oak wood headboard, seemingly repurposed from the building’s past. While the design was charming, the mattress felt a bit too springy, and the linens were rougher than I’d expected. Each bedside had a nightstand with an indigo-colored top, complemented by a wired rotary phone that added a touch of retro character.
An indigo-colored nightstand, paired with a wired rotary phone, added a touch of retro charm.
Across from the bed, a standard TV was wall-mounted against a wooden accent wall, while the tall windows stretched up to the lofty ceiling, enhancing the room’s openness. Although the windows couldn’t be fully opened, they could be slightly cracked for ventilation, allowing in fresh air.
The motorized curtains made waking up and winding down effortless.
In the corner, a sleek work desk was thoughtfully positioned, accompanied by a detailed book about The Hague and nearby towns like Leiden and Delft. The book included recommendations for local restaurants and attractions, complete with QR codes for easy navigation.
The asymmetrical work desk introduced a sophisticated design element to the bedroom.
On the desk, I found a small bottle of Prosecco in celebration of my wife’s birthday, along with a heartfelt handwritten card from the hotel management congratulating her.
Little touches like these elevate typical hospitality gestures to another level. Thank you Hotel Indigo The Hague!
Additionally, the staff surprised me with a small bag of creamy coffee-flavored hard candies, which quickly became my favorite treat from the Netherlands.
It's difficult to see the candy wrapper clearly in the picture, but you can find these delicious coffee candies almost everywhere in the Netherlands.
The final piece of furniture was a minibar cleverly designed to resemble a safe—an homage to the hotel’s banking history.
The safe-themed cabinet housing the minibar and fridge was a clever design choice, paying homage to the hotel's history as a bank.
Although it wasn’t locked, opening its magnetically secured door revealed an Illy espresso machine, an actual safe, and a mini fridge stocked with complimentary beverages.
It's always a pleasure to have the convenience of enjoying coffee or tea in your hotel room whenever you like.
The selection was thoughtful and diverse, including beer, non-alcoholic beer, soda, juice, and water. While the bottles were on the smaller side, complimentary refreshments are always a welcome perk.
One of the best perks of the Hotel Indigo brand is that everything in the fridge is complimentary.
Overall, the room’s tall ceilings and wooden flooring enhanced its charm, making it feel more spacious than it was. The automatic curtains were a particularly nice touch, blending modern convenience with the room’s historic aesthetic.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom featured a single-sink vanity and faux marble flooring throughout. Indigo-colored tiles behind the toilet added a pop of color, seamlessly continuing the indigo theme from the bedroom.
Indigo-colored tiles behind the toilet seamlessly extended the indigo theme from the bedroom.
Despite having a vessel sink, the countertop offered ample space. However, one downside was the faucet’s placement—it was set too low, making it awkward to wash my hands comfortably. Oddly, the bathroom lacked basic amenities beyond the standard hair products and a blow dryer. There were no cotton swabs, dental kits, or a comb.
The faucet's placement made it awkward to wash my hands comfortably, and it was unusual that common complimentary toiletries were not provided.
While not essential, I would have expected these small touches from a boutique hotel. The walk-in shower was equipped with both a rainfall showerhead and a handheld option, with communal toiletry bottles stocked with Zenology bath products—the same brand I enjoyed at the Sir Albert Hotel in Amsterdam. I particularly liked its fig-inspired fragrance, which added a fresh, pleasant touch.
Zenology appears to be a commonly used toiletry brand across Marriott properties in Europe.
The water pressure was excellent, providing an invigorating shower experience. However, even with the shower door closed, some water managed to leak onto the bathroom floor.
I appreciated the sleek, modern finishes of the shower, but it was disappointing that the water didn’t stay fully contained.
The spill was minimal, but I had to use extra towels to prevent slipping when stepping out. Despite these minor inconveniences, the bathroom was clean, well-designed, and cohesive with the aesthetic of the lobby and bedroom.
Breakfast Review—Brasserie Stocks & Bonds
Breakfast was served on the ground floor at Brasserie Stocks & Bonds, from 6:30 AM to 11:15 AM on weekdays and 7:30 AM to 12:15 PM on weekends. The restaurant was beautifully furnished and decorated, with Easter-themed décor adding a festive touch. Detailed crown moldings and marble accents enhanced the boutique ambiance.
The restaurant name, Brasserie Stocks & Bonds, was a clever nod to the hotel's history.
The breakfast buffet was priced at €22.50 per person, which included two hot entrées per guest. We ordered the Dutch Toast and the Veggie Omelet for our hot entrées.
I always appreciate having the option of made-to-order hot entrées alongside the buffet.
While the kitchen prepared our dishes, we visited the small room where the buffet was set up.
The buffet was quite minimal with limited food options, but it’s worthwhile if offered complimentary.
The selection was simple yet satisfying, featuring cold cuts, cheeses, dairy products, and a variety of breads. The bread station offered an assortment of French pastries, including croissants and pain aux raisins, but my favorite was the freshly baked, seed-crusted bread—warm, fluffy, and heavenly when paired with just butter.
The warm, seed-crusted bread was light, airy, and utterly divine when enjoyed with just butter.
For a truly Dutch experience, guests could top buttered bread with chocolate sprinkles. Other spreads, such as nut butters and jams, were also available.
To make hagelslag, simply spread butter on a slice of bread and generously sprinkle chocolate sprinkles over the top.
Gluten-free granola crackers catered to gluten-sensitive guests, and for those who preferred less processed options, there was an assortment of nuts and seeds to add to yogurt or enjoy as a snack.
A variety of granolas and toppings transform simple yogurt into a satisfying and well-balanced snack.
Protein-rich options included slices of ham, salami, smoked salmon, and smoked herring, alongside a selection of cheeses.
The cold cuts and smoked fish were high quality and well-prepared.
While the quality of the meats and cheeses was excellent, I wish there had been more vegetables. Aside from sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, greens were noticeably absent.
Aside from sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, the breakfast buffet offered little in the way of vegetables.
On the upside, the buffet featured ripe, sweet slices of pineapple and melon, as well as whole apples for healthy afternoon snacks.
The buffet included juicy, flavorful slices of pineapple and melon, along with whole apples for a nutritious afternoon treat.
By the time we’d finished sampling the buffet, our hot dishes arrived. They were served on beautifully patterned plates reminiscent of Delft Blue. The veggie omelet, filled with spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms, was light, fluffy, and not overly greasy.
The vegetable omelet was packed with fresh greens and delicately cooked with minimal oil.
The Dutch Toast, the hotel’s twist on French toast, was slightly dry, but the homemade jam provided a fresh, bright contrast that lifted the dish.
The Dutch Toast, the hotel's take on French toast, was slightly dry, but the homemade jam added much-needed moisture and flavor.
Overall, I found the breakfast buffet reasonably priced. While the selection wasn’t as extensive as that of other boutique hotels, the inclusion of two hot entrées per person more than made up for it.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The staff at Hotel Indigo The Hague were exceptionally friendly and accommodating. From the thoughtful welcome amenities to the complimentary drinks, the hospitality we received made our special trip even more memorable.
The hotel’s central location was another highlight, providing easy access to major tourist attractions, shops, and tram stations, which made exploring the surrounding areas effortless.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the hotel’s design. It beautifully preserved its history as a former bank, a theme that was particularly well-executed in the hotel’s dining areas. Although I didn’t get the chance to visit the hotel’s bar, The Gold Bar, as it was closed during my stay, I found it fascinating that it’s designed in a speakeasy-style, housed within the building’s original bank safe. Speaking of safes, the in-room minibar was cleverly placed inside a safe, a brilliant homage to the hotel’s past.
Negatives
While Hotel Indigo The Hague is a boutique property, a few aspects fell short of what I’d expect from a four-star hotel. For instance, the bathroom lacked basic amenities such as dental kits, cotton swabs, and other common toiletries. Additionally, guests are required to pay a fee to rent an umbrella, which felt a bit out of place for a hotel of this caliber.
Another drawback is the absence of an on-site gym. Although the hotel offers access to an off-site fitness center located about 0.3 km away, it can be inconvenient, especially during unfavorable weather conditions.
Summary
Hotel Indigo The Hague is a boutique hotel that thoughtfully preserves its history as a former bank. Its heritage is reflected through charming design details, such as transforming the old bank vault into a speakeasy-style bar and cleverly housing the in-room minibar inside a safe. While the hotel lacks some basic bathroom amenities and doesn’t offer an on-site gym, its warm hospitality and central location make it an excellent choice when visiting The Hague. During your stay, I highly recommend trying one of the signature gin cocktails at Brasserie Stocks & Bonds, especially the one crafted with genever.
