I could write a novel set in the Kurhaus. Having much work to do in the Dutch capital last year, I must have stayed there at least a dozen times. Last week I found myself back there for the day, and had to take the tram down to Scheveningen for a quick visit to the grand old lady of the Dutch hotel trade.

For those unfamiliar with the Netherlands, Scheveningen is the small outpost which sits right on the North Sea, about three miles from Den Haag city centre. There is a very long, straight drive down to the coast, at the end of which sits, very grandly, the Kurhaus. It is one those grand Victorian seaside hotels, well over 100 years old, and substantially rebuilt  in 1972 after  many years in decline. With the Dutch capital's growing status as the United Nations' fourth city, and the presence of several multinationals, the Kurhaus has thrived in recent times under the ownership of the German Steigenberger group.

The splendid central hall, the Kurzaal, is used for many prestigious political and business functions. I recall coming downstairs for the jog one chilly November evening last year and finding my path blocked by scary-looking security men, and had to wait while Queen Beatrix herself glided into the Kurhaus, accompanied by the King and Queen of Jordan. When it's not occupied by royalty, the Kurzaal is a great venue for dining. Breakfast here was one of my favourite parts of the day, with a wide spread of Anglo-American and European dishes to choose from.

The rooms at the Kurhaus are not the most luxurious, but they are extremely comfortable. If you can, pay just a little bit extra for a sea room. On a mild spring or autumn night, I loved leaving the windows open and falling asleep to the sound of the North Sea just two hundred yards away.

Unlike the UK's North Sea coast, Scheveningen has a world-class beach which goes on forever. If you are a jogger, like me, you'll find there is nothing better than heading out early in the morning along the beach where you can run as far as your legs will carry you. When the tide is out, and the sand is firm, the experience is pretty close to magical. It's great at all times of the year, but I prefer it in spring or autumn, before the summer crows descend on Scheveningen. It can get pretty crowded around the Kurhaus in summer. I recall last winter setting out for a jog on a dry but blustery day. With the wind behind me, I was flying along and just wanted to keep going and going. I ran about four miles before I turned around and was hit with that same wind which had carried me so far. It must have taken me at least twice as long to get back, but it was still a memorable and fun experience.

Scheveningen is not the most exciting place in the world. The area around the Kurhaus is quite tacky, somewhat reminiscent of a British seaside resort. But it has two or three little gems. One is the thermal spa which adjoins the hotel, the Vitalizee, which has pools of therapeutic green water you could spend all day in. And there are one or two great Indonesian restaurants, most notably one across the road from the Murhaus, called Bali.

You can find the Kurhaus website here