Luxury Escape: The Hague's Hidden Gem - Residence Inn Awaits!
Luxury Escape: The Hague's Hidden Gem - Residence Inn Awaits! Honestly, Is It Worth the Hype? (My Ramblings)
Okay, so, The Hague. Picture this: cobbled streets, stately buildings, the scent of fresh stroopwafels wafting on the breeze. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, I’ve just returned from a stay at the Residence Inn, touted as a "Hidden Gem" - and I'm here to give you the real deal. Forget the polished brochures, let's get messy, shall we?
Accessibility & Getting There: No Excuses, Just Comfort
First things first: Accessibility. This is HUGE for me. The Residence Inn gets a solid thumbs up. Wheelchair accessible rooms and facilities are clearly marked, and the entire vibe feels designed with ease of movement in mind. The elevator is a lifesaver (because, stairs, no thanks!). Plus, they offer airport transfer – a godsend after a long flight. And a car park [free of charge]? Yes, please! No faffing around with parking meters is a win in my book.
Internet: Because Who Can Actually Disconnect?
Let's be honest, we’re all glued to our phones. Thankfully, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is legit. I'm talking strong, reliable internet – essential for, you know, work. Plus, you've got Internet access – LAN if you’re feeling old school. The Internet services are good, and the speed is pretty nice, so I didn't have to spend ages figuring out how to get it working.
Cleanliness and Safety – My Inner Germaphobe (and Yours?) Will Approve
Okay, pandemic era, am I right? This is where the Residence Inn REALLY shines. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. They're actually taking it seriously. Staff trained in safety protocol? You can feel it. I even saw them using Professional-grade sanitizing services – made my little germ-fearing heart sing! Rooms sanitized between stays? Sigh of relief. They also had Hand sanitizer everywhere.
My Personal Experience: Double-Downing on the Spa (and the Awkwardness)
OKAY, so, the Spa. This is where things got…interesting. Forget the polished brochures, this is the real deal. Firstly, I really think that there are Spa/sauna and Steamroom - which is important. It was a bit of a mission to get there after getting lost (my navigation skills are truly atrocious). But OMG, the Sauna was hot, in a GOOD way. And the Massage? Pure bliss. I went for the body scrub, because honestly, I needed it. I felt like a new person, but the whole process was…well, it had a few moments of comedic awkwardness. Let's just say I'm not sure I'll ever look at a cucumber the same way again, but hey, the experience was invigorating!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: More Than Just Fries (Though, There Were Fries!)
Right, this is important. You’re in The Hague, you’re supposed to eat well! The Residence Inn does a decent job. Restaurants are available, and a Breakfast [buffet] is served. Good news for the late risers like me: room service [24-hour]! Brilliant. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was perfect for a morning wake-up. The Snack bar was great for grabbing something quick. I had a couple of meals at the Vegetarian restaurant and I was impressed (even though I love meat!) If you're feeling fancy there is a Poolside bar. There's also an Asian cuisine in restaurant for those needing a culinary adventure.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax: Beyond the Spa (Maybe)
Okay, so I spent a lot of time in the spa. But beyond that, you've got a Fitness center, if you're that kind of person. There’s also a Swimming pool [outdoor], but it wasn’t quite the season for a dip… Maybe next time!
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier
This place has got EVERYTHING. Seriously. Concierge? Check. Daily housekeeping? Bless them. Laundry service? My suitcase thanks them! Cash withdrawal? Essential. Loads of little things that just make life easier.
For the Kids?! (I Didn't Bring Any, But…):
They actually have Babysitting service! Plus Kids facilities and even Kids meal. It seems like a genuine family-friendly place.
The Room: My Little Hideaway (Mostly)
The Air conditioning was a lifesaver, the Blackout curtains were great. The Bed was huge, I had a Sofa, plus the Refrigerator was perfect for stashing snacks (and the leftovers from that incredible stroopwafel). It's got all the basics. Alarm clock, a Hair dryer, a Coffee/tea maker – all the things you need to function. And the In-room safe box always comes in handy!
The Quirks/Imperfect Moments (Because Life Is Never Perfect)
Okay, the location is great, close to things, but I did have an issue with one bit: the window. Okay, I kept trying to open the Window that opens! and I kept failing. sigh The room was very quiet, though. All in all, not a dealbreaker, just a little bit of character.
Final Thoughts: Is it a "Hidden Gem"? Yes, Maybe (With a Few Caveats)
Look, the Residence Inn in The Hague is a solid choice. It’s clean, well-equipped, and the staff are friendly and helpful. It IS family-friendly, accessible, and the location is great for exploring the city. Is it a perfect hotel? No, probably not. But it gets a LOT of things right. The spa is (mostly) amazing. Bottom line? For me, it was a good experience.
The Hook: Your Luxury Escape Awaits! (Book Now!)
Tired of the same old hotel routine? Craving a getaway that's equal parts comfort and adventure? Look no further than the Residence Inn in The Hague!
Here's the deal:
- Unwind in style: Experience the ultimate relaxation with our signature spa experience.
- Banish the stress: Rest easy with our commitment to unparalleled cleanliness and safety standards.
- Explore The Hague with ease: We're perfectly positioned to help you make the most of your trip.
- Your Comfort, Guaranteed: Modern rooms with high speed WIFI, AC, and other amenities!
- Family-Friendly, Always Accessible: We do our best to cater for your needs.
This isn't just a hotel, it's an experience.
Book your stay at the Residence Inn in The Hague today and let us help you make unforgettable memories!
Click here to book and receive 10% off your stay! (Limited Time Offer)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. This is THE HAGUE, baby! And we're not just gonna see it, we're gonna feel it. This is my chaotic, delicious, probably-slightly-hungover journey through the Residence Inn and the surrounding insanity.
The Hague Heist (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Stroopwafels)
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Angst, and a Surprisingly Good Salad
- 14:00 - Arrival at Residence Inn The Hague (and a deep sigh of acceptance): Okay, first impressions? The lobby is…fine. Functional. Beige. Honestly, I’m a bit wrecked from the flight. Why do they always make the airplane bathrooms so… existential? Like, you're stuck, cramped, staring at your own reflection, contemplating the futility of life… and the lack of decent hand soap. But hey, at least the check-in was smooth (gotta love efficient Dutch things!). My room? Decent enough, overlooking…a parking lot. Charming. (Sarcasm font, people).
- 14:30 - The Great Luggage Unpacking Debacle: I swear, my suitcase is a black hole. Things go in, things never come out. I’m pretty sure I packed a whole ensemble of outfits I will never, ever wear. And where’s my damn charger?! This is going to be a theme, I feel it in my bones.
- 15:30 - Culinary Rescue: Lunch at the hotel restaurant (yes, really!): Hunger pangs hitting hard. I cautiously ventured downstairs for lunch. Expectations: low. Reality: surprisingly delightful salad. I ordered the "Green Goddess" and honestly, it was… divine. Crisp lettuce, nutty seeds, creamy dressing. Possibly the best salad I’ve had in months. Score one for the Residence Inn! This put me in a much better mood. The Dutch, they understand salads!
- 16:30 - The "Wait, Where Am I?" Stroll: Okay, time to face the city. Armed with a crumpled map and a vague sense of direction, I attempted my first walk. The Hague is… well, it's not immediately charming. Lots of office buildings, trams whizzing by. I got momentarily lost. Twice. But hey, that’s part of the adventure, right?
- 18:00 - Supper and Stroopwafel Apocalypse: Found a cute little cafe near Binnenhof. Ordered a bitterballen (because, Dutch!) and attempted to eat it politely. Failed. Bits of fried deliciousness ended up all over my face. Then, the Stroopwafel experience… Oh. My. God. I bought a box. A whole box. I’m pretty sure I ate at least three, probably more. They're like crack cookies, I swear. I’m going to regret this later. Also, I took some to my room, just for later. Don't judge me.
Day 2: Law, Peace, and Accidental Art Appreciation (a Very Dutch Day)
- 08:00 - "Breakfast of Champions" (AKA coffee and stroopwafels) in my room: Yep, I'm not even trying to be healthy anymore. The alarm went off, I hit snooze… twice. Survived the morning with coffee and…you guessed it, the stroopwafels. I’m starting to think they’re the glue that holds me together.
- 09:30 - Peace Palace Pilgrimage (and a minor existential crisis): Okay, this is serious stuff. Saw the Peace Palace, home to the International Court of Justice. It's impressive, I guess. A little… pompous, perhaps? Standing there, I got hit with a wave of the… what if? Maybe there's no good in the world. But also… maybe there is.
- 11:00 - Mauritshuis Museum (and a love affair with Vermeer): This. Was. Amazing. The Mauritshuis…wow. I've never seen a painting so alive as Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring." The way the light hits her face…I could have stared at it for hours. And "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" by Rembrandt? Stunning. I'm not usually an art person, but this museum…it’s a must-see. I spent way too long there, almost missing my lunch.
- 13:00 - Lunch in a canal-side cafe: Found a tiny cafe by a canal, ordered a "tosti" (basically a grilled cheese, but everything tastes better in the Netherlands), and people-watched. The Dutch are stylish. Everyone looks effortlessly chic. I, on the other hand, am still trying to figure out what to do with my hair.
- 14:30 - "The Binnenhof Blowoff" (The Dutch Parliament): Walked around the Binnenhof. It's pretty impressive. Lots of old buildings. Took a picture. Felt a bit like a tourist.
- 16:00 - Afternoon Wander and Accidental Food Discovery I was getting a bit peckish. Wandering around, I just happened to see the sign for a local "kroket." I took a chance, I bought it, and it was good. I enjoyed the taste, and decided to buy a few more. I made a few friends with the locals and chatted a bit.
- 19:00 - Supper, Stroopwafels, and Sleep: I found a cozy little place to eat. Ordered some more Dutch specialties, and finished the night with…you guessed it, a stroopwafel. Maybe the hotel should just start leaving them in the rooms. I went to bed full and satisfied.
Day 3: Beach Bliss, Bike Blunders, and Departure Dread
- 09:00 - Last Day Breakfast Debacle (Stroopwafels, the Sequel): You know the drill.
- 10:00 - Scheveningen Beach (and the relentless wind): Time for some sea air! Headed to Scheveningen. The beach. It was… WINDY. Like, a lot of wind. I was pretty much instantly sandblasted. Still, it was beautiful. Saw the pier (had a small existential crisis).
- 12:00 - Bike Ride Blues: Rented a bike. This was a mistake. I'm a terrible cyclist. I wobbled, I almost ran over a small child (sorry, kid!), and I generally panicked. Gave up after about 20 minutes. Walked back. The wind was STILL awful.
- 14:00 - Souvenir Hunt and the Great Dutch Discount: I needed to buy gifts. Hit up the shops, and the shops were good. My mission? To find the perfect Dutch clogs. Ended up with a key chain. I'm not very good at shopping.
- 16:00: The Final Stroopwafel Sacrifice (and Emotional Breakdown): One last stroopwafel. Maybe two. Okay, definitely two. As I ate them, I realized… I will miss the Dutch. I will truly miss them. I am definitely taking a box home.
- 18:00 -Packing, Angst and Departure: I started packing, and it felt weird. The packing situation was as bad as usual. I started to freak out about the flight. The flight itself was a catastrophe due to the anxiety, but a good trip overall.
Final Thoughts:
The Hague is weird, wonderful, windy, and full of surprises. The Residence Inn was…fine. The Dutch? They’re pretty great. And the stroopwafels? They're pure, delicious evil. Would I come back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm bringing a hat, investing in better cycling skills, and buying ALL the stroopwafels. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll figure out how to pack a suitcase.
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Residence Inn The Hague: FAQ - Because Let's Be Real, You Need Answers!
Okay, spill. Is this place REALLY a "Hidden Gem"? I'm skeptical (and possibly a bit jaded).
Alright, alright, let's be honest. "Hidden Gem" is probably overused, like "artisanal" or "amazing coffee." But hear me out. Initially, I was all, "Residence Inn? Sounds… corporate." Turns out, it ISN'T. Well, *mostly* isn't. Okay, maybe a *little* corporate, but in a good, clean, efficiently-run way. It's hidden, geographically – tucked away a bit from the super-touristy madness, which is a HUGE plus if you're like me and value sanity. And the gem part? The *real* gem is the spaciousness. Seriously, after crammed hotel rooms that feel like glorified broom closets, this place felt AMAZING. Like, I did a victory dance the first time I walked in. A REALLY bad one, actually. Tripped over my suitcase. But still. Spacious. So, yeah, hidden-ish, and definitely a diamond in the rough.
The rooms... are they actually nice? Because "suites" these days often mean a slightly bigger shoebox.
Okay, this is where I get REALLY excited (and maybe a little overly enthusiastic). The suites? Yeah, they're *actually* suites. Like, actual, separate living area, bedroom, mini-kitchen… and space! Actual, breathing, leg-stretching space! I'm talking enough room to do yoga (which, admittedly, I did *not* do, because I'm a potato), or to spread out your luggage without tripping over it every five seconds. They're not trying to cram you in, which is a major win. The decor is… well, it's not going to win any design awards, let's be real. It's comfortable, functional, clean, and avoids any egregious design sins. Think Ikea-meets-Dutch-efficiency. Which, honestly, is perfectly fine after a long day of exploring. The best part that I got was the big windows to see a canal view. I literally had breakfast there, and it was the best thing ever.
Breakfast. Tell me *everything* about the breakfast situation. Because a bad hotel breakfast can ruin a whole day.
Breakfast… the *make or break* moment. And I'm happy to report – it's a WIN. It's included, which is always a good start, because paying extra for a mediocre breakfast is just a crime against humanity in my book. They have the usual suspects: eggs (scrambled, sometimes omelettes, bless them), bacon (crispy!), sausages, pastries (yum), fruit, yogurt, cereal, the whole shebang. They also had a waffle maker, which, for someone like me, is a recipe for disaster (I made approximately three waffles, ate one, and felt deeply ashamed of myself). The coffee? Acceptable. Not life-changing, but sufficient to keep you upright and functioning. And they kept the buffet *stocked*, which is a HUGE plus, because the worst thing is getting there late and finding a barren wasteland of empty trays. Seriously, I've seen some hotel breakfast scenes that look like the apocalypse. So, yeah, breakfast is good. Very good. Almost worth the trip alone. Almost.
Okay, location, location, location. How far from the action *actually* is it? And is it easy to get around?
Ah, location. It's not *right* in the heart of the super-touristy mayhem, which, as I mentioned, is a good thing for my sanity. It's a bit of a walk, or a quick tram ride, to get to the Binnenhof (parliament buildings, cool stuff, you should go), the Mauritshuis (Vermeer's *Girl with a Pearl Earring* – breathtaking), and all that jazz. The tram stop is super close, which is brilliant. The trams are frequent, clean, and *relatively* easy to navigate, even for a map-challenged individual like myself. (Okay, I got lost *once*. Fine, maybe twice. But the locals are super helpful!). Also, just walking into the beach areas, the Scheveningen, which has some of the coolest views ever. The hotel is also located right next to the canals! It's amazing how you can travel so quickly in the city with the public transportation!
Is parking a nightmare? Because city parking… ugh.
YES. Parking is, as it often is in cities, a bit of a pain. But, they do have parking! You have to pay extra for it! And I mean, it's cheaper than most central locations, but it's still an extra cost to consider. It's a good idea to factor this in when you're budgeting, so you don't get a nasty surprise when you check out. If you're driving, consider weighing the cost of parking against public transport. If you're anything like me, the convenience of having a car might outweigh the expense… but be prepared for the expense. It's the price you pay for freedom, eh?
Are there any downsides? Because, c'mon, there *have* to be…
Alright, the harsh truths. Nobody's perfect, and neither is a Residence Inn. The decor… it's not going to blow your mind. It's functional, clean, and a little generic. Some might call it "sterile." I call it, "not offensive." Also, the "city view" from my room… well, it was more like "canal view, with a side of building." But hey, at least it *was* a view! And, let's be frank, it's not the *absolute* cheapest option in town. But the value for money, considering the space and included breakfast, is pretty darn good. Oh, one more thing: I once wanted to have a party outside in the lawn, but it was closed that day. But it's fine! I'd recommend this hotel so much, it's absolutely amazing!
Would you *actually* recommend this place? Be honest!
YES! Absolutely, unequivocally, YES! Look, if you're looking for a palatial castle experience, this ain't it. But if you want a comfortable, spacious, well-run hotel that's a good base for exploring The Hague, and that won't bankrupt you... THIS IS IT. The space alone is worth the price of admission, especially if you're traveling with any amount of luggage (or just like to spread out). The breakfast is a solid win (seriously, the waffles!), and the location, while not *in* the thick of it, is perfectly manageable. I'd goSleep Stop Guide
