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Not too small, not too big, but just right. The Hague has what Amsterdam has lost due to the massive influx of tourists: Cordiality. In this city, the old and the new, the classic and the trendy mix wildly, you will find parks, beaches and pretty alleyways lined with restaurants from all over the world. They are not afraid of multiculturalism here, but welcome everyone and everything with open arms. Ingrid Zimmermann confirms the image of her home, as this month she guides us through the city she would never leave with a smile on her face.
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Living
The Carlton Ambassador is located in the old town of The Hague – the hotel is just a few minutes away from the coolest bars and restaurants and scores with its stylish rooms. If you want to feel at home even when you are abroad, book your overnight stay at the Residenz Stadslogement. The Paleis Hotel is really chic and luxurious, where you will feel like a king in his castle. For those on a tighter budget, there are the two bed & breakfast accommodations Kussengevecht and De kleine Prinses – small, sweet and warm. Corporate Housing Factory BV has cool apartments all to itself. The building with the stylish name La Fenêtre is located right in the city center of The Hague.
Carlton Ambassador, Sophialaan 2, 2514 JP The Hague, carlton.nl
Residence Stadslogement, Sweelinckplein 35, 2517 GN The Hague, residenz.nl
Paleis Hotel, Molenstraat 26, 2513 BL The Hague, paleishotel.nl
Kussengevecht, Weimarstraat 94, 2562 HB The Hague, kussengevecht.nl
De kleine Prinses, Bagijnestraat 11, 2511 CK The Hague, eetcafedekleineprins.nl
Corporate Housing Factory BV, Willem-Alexanderweg 213, 2595 BT Den Haag, corporatehousingfactory.nl, bookable via visionapartments.com.
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Food
If you like French fine food, book a table at Pastis, for delicious sushi make a reservation at De Sushimeisjes. Fresh fish is served every day in the trendy Catch restaurant – whatever was still swimming in the North Sea in the morning is eaten. At Naga thai, be sure to order the Phad Bai Ka Praw and for dessert the sticky rice with fresh mango – so delicious! The Bøg is dedicated to organic food and serves typical Dutch specialties. Attention brunch fans: The Walter Benedict serves breakfast all day long – in every conceivable variation. Named The Hague’s best restaurant in 2013, the South of Houston has long been one of the city’s top addresses. Book early, this place is unfortunately no longer an insider tip!
Pastis, Oude Molstraat 57, 2513 BA The Hague, pastis.nl
De Sushimeisjes, Prins Hendrikstraat 96, 2518 HW The Hague, desushimeisjes.nl
Catch, Doctor Lelykade 43, 2583 BX The Hague, catch-bysimonis.nl
Naga thai, Frederik Hendriklaan 264, 2582 BN The Hague, nagathai.nl
Bøg, Prinsestraat 130, 2513 CH The Hague, bøg.com
Walter Benedict, Denneweg 69A, 2514 CE The Hague, walterbenedict.nl
South of Houston, Lange Houtstraat 3, 2511 CV The Hague, southofhouston.nl
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Shopping
You can shop on every corner in The Hague. Cool clothes from the hottest labels can be found at De Bijenkorf, and hot second-hand bargains can be found at Second Best. Shoe lovers are sure to find what they are looking for at Klijssen, and if you want to invest your money in some bling-bling, head to Emma jewels & strass. Concrete is one of the coolest concept stores – be sure to go there and admire the latest designers and their collections. Even those who don’t really like/have/want children will roll their eyes in delight at Achtung Baby, because the lovingly selected second-hand fashion for kids is simply adorable. At DOK, Art Wings and Het appeltaartgevoel, we get inspiration for our homes and buy unusual kitchen appliances and stylish home decor. And if you’re up for a new hairstyle, pop into De Kinki Kapper and simply let the maestro do it.
De Bijenkorf, Wagenstraat 32, 2512 AX The Hague, debijenkorf.nl
Second Best, Korte Molenstraat 7, 2513 BM Den Haag, facebook.com/secondbestdenhaag
Klijssen, Hoogstraat 7, 2513 AN Den Haag, klijsenschoenmode.nl
Emma jewels & strass, Molenstraat 22, 2513 BK Den Haag, emma-jewels.nl
Concrete, Papestraat 17, 2513 AV The Hague, concrete.nl
Achtung Baby, Prins Hendrikstraat 97, 2518 HM The Hague, achtung-baby.nl
DOK, Passage 19, 2511 AB The Hague, dokhomeofcooking.nl
Art Wings, Noordeinde 109A, 2514 GE The Hague, artwings.nl
Het appeltaartgevoel, Noordeinde 79, 2514 GD The Hague, hetappeltaartgevoel.nl
De Kinki Kapper, Noordeinde 99, 2514 GD The Hague, kinki.nl
Party
Party animals should pay attention to the program at Het Paard van Troje – theme parties and concerts take place here regularly. You don’t just step over the threshold of the Havana, you dance across it. After all, this is the place for all friends of cultivated salsa.
Het Paard van Troje, Prinsegracht 12, 2512 GA The Hague, paard.nl
Havana, Buitenhof 19, 2513 AG Den Haag, havanadenhaag.nl
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Quarters
The two districts of Het Plein and Grote Markt are the places where the cool kids meet to go out in the evenings and at weekends. Here you will find stylish bars and restaurants where you can not only drink a beer, but also get down to business. Anyone who wants to get rid of their hard-earned money in The Hague can store in the Hofkwartier, around the Frederik Hendriklaan Statenkwartier or in the Zeeheldenkwartier.
Het Plein, Plein, The Hague, pleindenhaag.nl
Grote Markt, 2511 BG The Hague, gmdh.nl
Hofkwartier, Hofkwartier, The Hague, hofkwartierdenhaag.nl
Frederik Hendriklaan, Frederik Hendriklaan, The Hague, defred.nl
Statenkwartier, Statenkwartier, The Hague, statenkwartier.net
Zeeheldenkwartier, Zeeheldenkwartier, The Hague, zeeheldenkwartier.com
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Must do
If you leave The Hague without eating one of the typical herrings, you’ve definitely missed out! So head to Het Buitenhof, close your eyes and take a bite! Also typically Dutch are the fries, which can be bought everywhere. The best can be found at Korte Poten 23 in Frietwinkel – organic potatoes start a new, albeit short, life here in the form of thick fries. If you want to get rid of the calories you’ve shoveled in, you can book one of the themed walks at Wandelen met Maup.
Het Buitenhof, Buitenhof, The Hague
Frietwinkel, Korte Poten 23, 2511 EC Den Haag, frietwinkel.nl
Wandelen met Maup, wandelenmetmaup.wordpress.com
Events
Tink
25.12.
The city center is transformed into a winter paradise, the smell of cinnamon and mulled wine is everywhere, and there are numerous stalls with pretty Christmas decorations.
tinkthehague.com
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Ingrid Zimmermann
is a secretary.
loves art, movies, fashion.
hates hectic cities.