Celebrating diplomacy, heritage, and elegance in the heart of The Hague
On the afternoon of Tuesday, 14 April, the magnificent Hotel Des Indes set the stage for an exceptional Ambassador’s Welcome Dinner, held in honour of newly arrived ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Hosted by General Manager Yvonne van der Klaauw and Sales Manager Camilla Vaselli, with the valued support of Diplomat Magazine, the evening brought together ambassadors from The Hague and Brussels appointed in 2025 and 2026 together with protocol director and deputy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and from the City of The Hague.
Beauty, tradition, and class defined the evening, as Hotel Des Indes once again demonstrated its unparalleled ability to blend historical grandeur with contemporary refinement. From the moment guests arrived, they were immersed in an atmosphere of charm, character, and understated luxury—hallmarks of a hotel that has welcomed the world for more than 160 years.
Located on the prestigious Lange Voorhout, the hotel originally began life in 1858 as the private city palace of Baron van Brienen, treasurer to King Willem III of the Netherlands. Designed for hosting lavish receptions, the residence featured an impressive ballroom, elegant salons, and a spacious inner courtyard for horse-drawn carriages—elements that continue to define its architectural identity today.
This longstanding legacy of royal and international patronage continues to this day. Just last week, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, presented the first stop of her global tour for the Royal Thai exhibition and conference on Thai textiles and traditional attire at Des Indes. Her stay at Hotel Des Indes carried special significance, as it honoured the memory of her grandmother, who had also been a guest of the hotel.
From aristocratic residence to diplomatic landmark
In 1881, the building was transformed into a luxury hotel and officially opened by Prince Frederik of Orange. Named after its counterpart in Batavia, Hotel Des Indes quickly established itself as a pioneer of comfort and innovation, offering amenities far ahead of its time, including private bathrooms and early in-room communication systems.
Its strategic location in The Hague—internationally recognised as the city of peace and justice—soon made it a natural gathering place for diplomats, statesmen, and global leaders, particularly following the First Hague Peace Conference.
Throughout the turbulent years of the two World Wars, the hotel played a significant role in history, hosting negotiators, military leaders, and later Allied forces. Figures such as Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower were among those who resided within its storied walls.
A guestbook like no other
Few hotels in the world can rival the illustrious guest list of Hotel Des Indes. Over the decades, it has welcomed royalty, political leaders, artists, and cultural icons, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Mick Jagger, and the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova, who spent her final days at the hotel.
Other notable guests include Mata Hari, Josephine Baker, Maurice Chevalier, Igor Stravinsky, and Thomas Mann, alongside world leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt and François Mitterrand.
A refined evening of diplomacy
Against this historic backdrop, the Ambassador’s Welcome Dinner provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue, new connections, and the strengthening of diplomatic ties.
Among the guests, Ambassador of Korea, Rwanda, Dominican Republic, Cuba, New Zealand, Suriname, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Lebanon, Belgium, Tajikistan, Serbia, Indonesia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, also Gabriela Sancisi, director of protocol, Hans Akerboon deputy director of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Camilla van Koten director of protocol of The Hague.
Following an extensive renovation led by renowned designer Jacques Garcia, Hotel Des Indes continues to embody a unique blend of classical opulence and modern sophistication. Its membership in The Leading Hotels of the World further underscores its status among the world’s most distinguished hospitality destinations.
As the evening concluded, the Ambassador’s Welcome Dinner reaffirmed Hotel Des Indes identity as a historic landmark and a living symbol of The Hague’s diplomatic identity.
