AreaStays
The Hofvijver pond with the Mauritshuis museum and the Binnenhof's spires reflected in the water

Txllxt TxllxT / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Netherlands

Where to Stay in The Hague

The Hague is the Netherlands' seat of government and the international city of peace and justice, home to the Dutch parliament, the royal family, and institutions like the International Court of Justice. Unlike Amsterdam's canal-house density, it's a stately, green city of wide avenues and grand architecture, centered on the Binnenhof — one of the oldest parliament complexes still in use — and its reflecting pond, the Hofvijver. Don't miss the Mauritshuis, a small but exceptional museum holding Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," and Scheveningen, The Hague's own North Sea beach resort, a short tram ride from the center.

Quick facts

Best time to visit
Aim for May through September for the best chance of warm enough weather to make use of Scheveningen beach, or April and October for milder crowds around the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis. Winter is quiet and city-focused, since the beach isn't the draw it is in summer.
Renting a car
Skip a rental car for a stay centered on the Binnenhof and Scheveningen. Trams connect the two directly and frequently, parking in the center is limited, and the compact core around the Hofvijver is easiest on foot.

Where to stay

The Binnenhof's brick facades and turrets along the Hofvijver pond, with modern high-rises behind

Uwe Aranas (CEphoto) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Centrum

Best for: First-time visitors, Architecture lovers

Aerial view of Scheveningen Pier with its Ferris wheel and bungee tower extending into the North Sea beside the beach

Thomas Wolf (www.foto-tw.de) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE

Scheveningen

Best for: Families, Beach time, Budget travelers

Compare neighborhoods

AreaBest forAdvantageTrade-off
CentrumFirst-time visitorsThe shortest walk to the Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, and Den Haag Centraal station.No beach access of its own — Scheveningen is a tram ride away, not a walk.
ScheveningenFamiliesDirect beach access and generally lower hotel prices than staying downtown.A tram ride, not a walk, from the Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, and other central sights.

Our picks for The Hague

A handful of editorial calls across every neighborhood above, not just the highest star rating — see each hotel's own card further down for the full case for and against it.

🏆 Our overall pickDe Pier SuitesScheveningen💰 Best valueBoutique Hotel CoronaCentrum✨ Best luxuryHotel Des IndesCentrum

A couple of hotels in Centrum

Centrum is the top-recommended area to stay in The Hague.

Hotel Des Indes

★★★★★
  • ✨ Best luxury

Our take The Hague's classic grand hotel — a 19th-century city palace on Lange Voorhout that's hosted royalty and dignitaries for well over a century, still run at a level that matches the setting.

Good for

  • Luxury travelers
  • Couples

Couples and travelers who want The Hague's most storied luxury address, on its grandest tree-lined street.

Why we like it

  • Occupies a former city palace built in 1858, one of the most architecturally grand buildings on Lange Voorhout
  • A protected monument with genuine history — the building has hosted heads of state and cultural figures since it opened as a hotel in 1881
  • Steps from the Mauritshuis and a short walk to the Binnenhof

What to know

  • A formal, traditional luxury hotel rather than a boutique or design property
Check availability on Booking.com

Townhouse Den Haag

★★★★

Our take A well-placed boutique hotel that works equally well arriving by train or on foot from the Binnenhof — nothing flashy, just a solid, central base for a first visit to The Hague.

Good for

  • First-time visitors
  • Couples

First-time visitors who want an easy walk from the station and the Binnenhof, with a boutique feel.

Why we like it

  • A seven-minute walk from Den Haag Centraal, useful for day trips to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or the airport
  • Close to the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis on foot
  • Boutique styling rather than a standardized chain feel

What to know

  • A smaller boutique property, so room count and availability are more limited than at larger chain hotels nearby
Check availability on Booking.com

Useful travel information

The Netherlands uses the euro. The Hague has two main stations, Den Haag Centraal and Hollands Spoor, both connected to Amsterdam by direct train in under an hour. Trams cover the city well, including a direct, high-frequency line out to Scheveningen beach. The center is compact and walkable, and The Hague is generally calm and safe, with a more low-key pace than Amsterdam even with the government and diplomatic presence.

Tips

  • Book Mauritshuis tickets online ahead of time — it's a small museum, and "Girl with a Pearl Earring" draws steady crowds even outside peak season.
  • Take tram 9 or one of HTM's Strand Express services directly to Scheveningen — the ride from the center takes about 10-15 minutes, making a half-day beach trip an easy add-on.
  • The Peace Palace's interior is only viewable on a scheduled guided tour, which needs to be booked in advance — the grounds and exterior can be seen anytime, but plan ahead if you want to go inside.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Hague the capital of the Netherlands?
No — Amsterdam is the constitutional capital, but The Hague is the seat of government, parliament, and the royal family, which is where the confusion usually comes from.
Can you visit the beach and the museums in one day?
Yes. Scheveningen beach is about 10-15 minutes from the Binnenhof by direct tram, so a half-day at the museums and a half-day at the beach fits comfortably into a single day.
Where should first-time visitors stay in The Hague?
Stay in the city center near the Binnenhof for the shortest walk to the Mauritshuis and parliament, or in Scheveningen if beach access matters more to your trip than being downtown.

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