Nov. 2025
The Hague — A Royal City by the Sea
- The Hague is one of the major cities of the Netherlands, known for its mix of history, government, culture, and seaside atmosphere.
- It serves as seat of the Dutch government and monarchy (though not the capital) and is home to many international institutions — but it’s also very walkable and liveable, with elegant architecture, leafy parks, and seaside-resort areas.
- A highlight is that The Hague is not only a city centre: you can reach the coast and beach — particularly the seaside district of Scheveningen — within easy reach.
- For art and culture lovers: for example, Kunstmuseum Den Haag (formerly the Gemeentemuseum) is a major art museum in the city, with a large and varied collection spanning paintings, modern art, design, and more.
- In short — The Hague offers a compelling blend of city-level culture and infrastructure + seaside tranquility and nature, perfect if you want both city sightseeing and a relaxing beach escape.
🏖️ Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus — Historic Seaside Luxury
Why this hotel stands out:
- The Kurhaus building dates back to the 19th century and has a long, storied history: its origins go back to 1818 when the site first became a seaside bathhouse. The current grand hotel structure was built between 1884–1885.
- Over the years, it evolved from bathhouse to concert hall + hotel, and eventually — after reconstruction and renovation — became the luxury seaside hotel it is today. What you get as a guest:
- A total of ~270 elegantly furnished rooms (including suites), many of which offer sea or boulevard views — ideal for waking up to the sound of waves and a fresh sea breeze.
- High-end amenities including a wellness & spa centre (indoor pool, sauna/steam rooms, spa treatments), which makes it a perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing or beach-side walks.
- Dining and leisure: the hotel’s restaurant/bar (Waves at the Kurhaus) offers meals, drinks, High Tea — often with a beautiful view over the North Sea.
- Event & social space: inside the hotel lies the historic Kurzaal — once a concert hall — and there are multiple meeting/event rooms, making the hotel popular for weddings, conferences, parties, and other large gatherings (capacity up to ~1,500 people).
The charm & atmosphere:
- The architectural style is grand and historic: high ceilings, decorative details, classic elegance — giving a sense of grandeur and nostalgia, combined with modern comfort and service.
- The location is unbeatable for seaside lovers: you’re right by the beach and promenade of Scheveningen. From the hotel you can step out to the sand, enjoy seaside walks, or take part in local nightlife, beach bars, or coastal leisure.
- Great for both relaxation and activity: if you want culture or city center shopping/visiting, The Hague’s center is easily accessible; if you want calm, sea, and spa — the hotel + beach offer that.
Although we spent only one day in Den Haag, it turned out to be an unforgettable experience—full of surprises in many ways.
After arriving at Den Haag Central Station, we bought a one-day transportation pass, allowing us to take any tram or bus throughout the city. We visited several landmarks, such as the Vredespaleis and the Vuurtoren van Scheveningen, but they were not as impressive as we expected. We also couldn’t visit Paleis Noordeinde, since it is only open to the public for a few weeks in August.
Instead, we decided to wander along King’s Street, where we grabbed a freshly fried croquette as a snack and continued walking toward the seaside and the Pier. Despite the extremely cold sea wind, I truly enjoyed peeking into the windows of the local houses along the way. It seems to be a Dutch tradition to decorate their windows beautifully and keep their curtains open, proudly showcasing their interiors—even while they are at home. It was fascinating to see how each house expressed its own personality.
The Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus and the Pier were definitely the highlights of our visit. From the outside, the Kurhaus looks like a grand and luxurious seaside hotel, but its interior was even more impressive. The lobby felt almost like a modern museum, filled with animal sculptures and contemporary décor. Everyone is free to enter its magnificent main hall, which looks like a ballroom from a royal palace. It was absolutely breathtaking. Along the walls, we found many photographs illustrating the hotel’s long history, dating back over a century. One particularly striking photo showed two military planes flying directly over the Kurhaus during the war—a powerful reminder of how much has changed, yet how much has remained.
Even more memorable was the view from the hotel toward the sea. As we walked toward the Pier, we watched sunlight glint across the powerful, endless waves surrounding the structure. Many people were enjoying their evening stroll along the white sandy beach. We, too, lingered there, admiring the scenery until dusk gently settled over the coastline.
