After more than two years of renovation work, the renovated Van der Valk Hotel Den Haag-Wassenaar has reopened its doors. Virtually every detail of the original Van der Valk hotel has been modernized, resulting in a brand new and sustainable hotel.

EVA VAN MEIJL

PHOTOGRAPHY: NOPOINT STUDIO'S

Autumn 2021, it was time: The construction of Hotel The Hague-Wassenaar started. Symbolically, the first hole was dug by Jack Luiten with an excavator. He and his wife Corine ran this hotel for almost fifty years and passed on the management to their nephew Alex Luiten and his wife Roxanne. Now, the completely renovated hotel can be admired. "Last autumn, we opened in phases," says Alex. "First, 134 additional hotel rooms were put into use. We now have 225 rooms, more than doubling our capacity. Particularly special are the Wellness suites with a sauna, jacuzzi, and rooftop terrace. Thanks to the different room types, there is something for everyone, for example, an Executive room with a walk-in closet, dressing table, and freestanding bathtub. The Superior Triple rooms have a full third bed, and the family rooms with two separate bedrooms, sitting area, and spacious bathroom are ideal for families with children."

OPEN KITCHEN

The hotel is located on a main road, making it a popular stop for a delicious lunch or dinner for decades. Since the reopening, you can now enjoy this at the new restaurant Eiber. The space is decorated in a homely style with warm colors such as terracotta and dark green, reflecting the nature-rich surroundings. Roxanne says: 'We wanted to bring the outdoors inside. You can see wallpaper with a plant and tree print. In restaurant Eiber, the open kitchen is a real eye-catcher. Our dedicated kitchen team prepares the dishes right in front of your eyes. We are also excited about Clubroom Kievit, a special space for drinks, private dining, or meetings.' In addition, thirteen new rooms have been created for meetings or events. These can be flexibly arranged and connected to each other for large parties or conferences.

TREES AND BIRDS

Not only in the interior can you see references to nature, but also the names of the rooms have been chosen to represent various tree species and birds from the surroundings. Roxanne explains: 'We are located near various nature reserves, such as Het Haagse Bos, Meijendel, Wassenaarse Slag, and Koninklijke Landgoederen De Horsten. The restaurant name Eiber refers to the symbol of the city of The Hague: the stork. Gastrobar Hop is a reference to the hoopoe, a bird species found in this region. In this hotel bar with cozy seating areas, we offer shared dining with Mediterranean and Asian dishes to share. Of course, you can also enjoy drinks there. Be sure to try our Haags Duifje, a flavorful beer brewed especially for us!' This beer comes from Kompaan brewery in The Hague, one of the hotel's collaborations with local entrepreneurs. 

PERSONAL CONTACT

Hotel Den Haag-Wassenaar has many regular guests who were looking forward to the reopening. "The reactions are mostly heartwarming," says Roxanne. "Everyone is pleasantly surprised. It starts with the arrival, as the appearance of the building has been greatly refreshed by the zinc roof and the white and red stones. In addition, the inner garden adds more color to the whole. When you step inside, the impressive reception desk makes an impression. In the new lobby, you also feel welcome by the delightful smell of freshly baked treats. At the counter of bakery Koekoek, sandwiches, homemade cakes, and coffee are available. Ideal to take to the hotel room or for on the go." 

FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

According to the enthusiastic management couple, the overall picture of the hotel is just right. Alex: 'Many guests appreciate that the rural style has been preserved. In addition to the existing building, we have created a new block of rooms and deliberately did not go higher. It still has the friendly appearance of the former Bijhorst, as it once started here. The hotel has a long history and I find it very special to work here. I am proud that we have succeeded in renovating with a sustainability certification. The hotel is now completely gas-free, has solar panels, and we process food waste into biogas. Completely renovated and ready for the future!'