Press Room

The Netherlands' Landmark Hotel Becomes Hotel Des Indes, A Luxury Collection Hotel, The Hague

NEW YORK CITY – November 12, 2008 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces the introduction of the Hotel Des Indes, a Luxury Collection Hotel, The Hague to The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, a glittering ensemble of more than 65 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 26 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world.  The 92-room hotel, recently renovated by world-renowned architect Jacques Garcia, is located in The Hague, the Netherlands, overlooking the city’s main square, the Lange Voorhout. Originally built as a town palace, Hotel Des Indes opened its doors as a luxury hotel in 1881 and has played host to kings, heads of state, aristocrats and celebrities.

“The Luxury Collection is a portal to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations, offering guests unique, authentic and enriching experiences at spectacular destinations around the world,” said Paul James, Vice President, Brand Management, The Luxury Collection & St. Regis, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Celebrated for its rich heritage, stunning design and impeccable service, the Hotel Des Indes adds another jewel to The Luxury Collection brand’s glittering portfolio.” 

“This landmark hotel is the perfect addition to the Luxury Collection portfolio in The Netherlands,” said Roeland Vos, President, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Starwood Hotels and Resorts. The Hague is an exceptional destination for a luxury property and the landmark hotel fits perfectly in one of the world’s most refined collections of premium hotels and resorts.  Global travellers can expect to explore The Hague in its indigenous spirit and experience service in an exceptionally personal manner.

The historical grandeur and understated elegance of the property, together with the exceptional signature The Luxury Collection services and discrete modern technology, makes Hotel Des Indes a favourite destination in The Hague for sophisticated global explorers. The hotel underwent an extensive €35 million renovation by world-renowned architect Jacques Garcia in 2006 to restore the original splendour of the 92 guest rooms, suites and public areas. Garcia’s other work includes the design of Hotel Costes in Paris, and the Hôtel des Beaux-Arts, and Le Rivoli-Notre Dame in the same city. In the United States, his projects include the Hotel Victor in South Beach and Jean-Georges Vongerichten's highly touted Spice Market.

State-of-the-art meeting facilities meet old-world grandeur at Hotel Des Indes.  The hotel features ten elegant salons, boasting refined amenities for events, social functions, meetings or seminars, and can seat up to 80 guests.

The Hotel Des Indes also offers its global guests access to a luxurious 315 square metre Health Club, where personal trainers provide guidance and advice upon request. A swim can be enjoyed in the indoor heated swimming pool, followed by a steam bath, sauna, or time in the solarium. In addition spa treatments and massages, using luxury Payot products, are available to enhance well-being and relaxation. 

Since 1881, the exquisite Restaurant-Lounge-Bar Des InDes has welcomed royalty, world leaders and artists from all four corners of the globe. Today, that tradition lives on in Executive Chef Ben Hardeman’s delectable epicurean creations.  Hardeman trained in the three Michelin starred "Im Schiffchen" in Dusseldorf and collaborated with Parisian Chef Michel Rostang to create the innovative menu offered in the hotel’s restaurant, lounge and bar.

The award-winning hotels that make up The Luxury Collection are some of the world’s most iconic properties, including The Grande Bretagne, Athens; Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Elciego; Mystique, Santorni; Hotel Danieli, Venice; The U.S. Grant, San Diego and The Phoenician, Scottsdale.

For more information on The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, visit www.luxurycollection.com

Media Contacts:
Hotel Des Indes
Zsuzsika Belovics
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Tel. +31(0) 6 21 88 29 56
E-mail : Zsuzsika.belovics@starwoodhotels.com

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Today, The Luxury Collection is a glittering ensemble of more than 65 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 26 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning hotels that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class in some of the most desired destinations in the world.   Most recently, Mystique, a Luxury Collection Resort, was honored with the 2008 Travel + Leisure Design Award for Best Small Resort in the world. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com .

About Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc .
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element SM.  Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com or www.starwoodpressclub.com .

About Jacques Garcia
Jacques Garcia (1947) discovered his talent for drawing and his fascination for objects d'art at an early age. From conceptual contemporary art to 17th century art, from applied art to royal objects, his collection is based on feeling, great passion and intuition. Garcia draws his inspiration from a wide range of sources, including Zen minimalism, neo-Gothic excess, Egyptian revival, and Napoléon III extravagance. The opening of the famed Hôtel Costes in 1996 was the coming out of the Garcia-style in all its luxuriance. Of world renown is the Jacques Garcia's five-year renovation of Champ de Bataille, a 17th century French chateau and gardens he acquired in 1992.