Le Méridien signs agreement to lease and manage the historic Hotel Des Indes in The Hague, Netherlands

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to lease and manage the historic Hotel Des Indes in The Hague, Netherlands, its third property in the northern European country.

Located in the heart of the Dutch capital, 150-year old hotel is conveniently situated a few minutes' walk from the central train station, 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, and a 20 minute transfer from Rotterdam airport.

It will now undergo a €15 million-plus renovation programme starting early in the new year, following which the property will be rebranded as Le Méridien Des Indes.

According to Sami Zoghbi, managing director for Le Méridien in the Middle East, the new agreement represents a major step in the group's continuing expansion plans for Europe, with the hotel positioned as the premier address in The Hague.

He added: "The investment programme will restore Le Méridien Des Indes to its former glory, by refreshing all existing 76 rooms and historic public areas, and creating 16 additional guestrooms. A new top floor will also be built, together with a new 335 sq metre health spa in the basement."

Le Méridien has recently announced new projects in Hamburg, the Algarve and Vienna, as part of a global strategy to double in size within five years.