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I had long looked forward to staying at Hotel Des Indes in The Hague—a property steeped in history, elegance, and prestige. Located on the Lange Voorhout in the heart of the diplomatic quarter, the hotel has hosted royalty, dignitaries, and cultural icons for over a century. Its reputation as the Dutch counterpart to Berlin’s Hotel Adlon made me eager to experience its grandeur firsthand. Sadly, my stay turned out to be one of the most disappointing hotel experiences I’ve ever had, especially for a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.||Upon arrival, there was no assistance with our luggage. Not a single gesture of welcome or help, which already felt off for a hotel of this caliber. The receptionist informed me that I had received a generous double upgrade to an Executive Room on the top floor. What awaited me, however, was a dimly lit attic space with two small porthole windows that barely let in any daylight. It was a room that doesn’t appear anywhere on the hotel’s website or promotional materials. The furnishings were visibly worn, with scuffed surfaces, loose electrical sockets hanging partially out of the wall, and a bathroom in unacceptable condition - there was mold on the ceiling, dust everywhere, and limescale stains that hadn’t been addressed in quite some time. Housekeeping was inconsistent - turndown service was provided only once during my three-night stay, and overall cleanliness was simply not up to standard.||I raised concerns about the room’s condition and lack of daylight multiple times, but the hotel only responded shortly before my final evening, offering a room change far too late to be of use. What shocked me most, however, was the staff’s reaction to my feedback. Criticism seemed to be taken as a personal insult. After voicing my concerns again on the third morning, we were simply no longer served at breakfast. |We had to fetch our own drinks, and coffee was only brought after repeated requests. The passive attitude was deeply unprofessional and left me speechless.||Dinner service was equally disappointing. Despite only three tables being occupied in the restaurant, the staff focused exclusively on the neighboring table, which appeared to be local clientele. We were largely ignored - bread and butter were forgotten, our glasses were never refilled, and plates were placed on the table with no care or attention. The service felt inattentive and disengaged, lacking even the most basic gestures of hospitality.||Breakfast itself was served in a beautifully appointed lounge, with gilded mirrors and plush fabrics evoking the hotel’s imperial past. The selection was modest but adequate, and while basic hot dishes and fresh juice were included, more elaborate options came at an extra charge. Dinner in the same space was a rare highlight in terms of food - elegantly presented dishes with classic flavors and modern finesse - but the lack of service overshadowed the experience.||The public areas of the hotel, including the salons and historic ballroom, were visually stunning and well-preserved, and the spa offered a quiet retreat, though it was tucked away in a dimly lit cellar.||At the end of my stay, the Rooms Division Manager offered me a complimentary return night in the hotel’s Presidential Suite as compensation. I did not react to the offer on-site. After my return home, the hotel management contacted me again and proposed a free night in a Junior Suite including dinner. I responded vaguely, as I’m not going to travel a thousand kilometers for a single night. Moreover, the inconsistency between the offers from the Rooms Division Manager and the hotel’s leadership left me unsettled. It further highlighted the lack of experience in handling complaints and resolving issues professionally on-site. Other luxury properties manage such situations with far more clarity, customer orientation, and realistic solutions.||Despite its architectural beauty and rich history, Hotel Des Indes failed to deliver the hospitality and service one expects from a five-star property. The lack of luggage assistance, the poorly assigned room, the cleanliness issues, and the retaliatory behavior from staff were unacceptable. I left feeling disillusioned and disappointed. A change in leadership and a renewed commitment to excellence are urgently needed if this iconic hotel is to live up to its legacy. As it stands, it was the worst LHW hotel I’ve ever stayed in - and I’m still at a loss for words.