Courtyard By Marriott Santo Domingo

Decor is typical of the Courtyard by Marriott brand with middle-of-the-road, traditional-meets-contemporary furnishings, mass-produced artwork, and a neutral color palette. While the small outdoor pool and nearby terrace provide a bit of social space, the atmosphere is quiet and buttoned-down day and night. The overall vibe is squarely targeted at business travelers to Santo Domingo. In high season, the large lobby lounge hosts a steady stream of guests quietly tapping away on their laptops. Otherwise, the common areas are typically vacant by day, until most guests return for a brief nightcap at the bar before retiring to their rooms early.

The property is among the most centrally located chain hotels in Santo Domingo. Dozens of shops, chain and local restaurants, and a modern supermarket are within a five-minute walk. In addition, guests can trek to the city's famous Teatro Nacional in five minutes, and the nearest beach (Plaza Güibia) is just 15 minutes away on foot. The closest major airport -- Las Américas International (SDQ) -- is 40 minutes away by car. The hotel does not provide free airport transportation. Taxi or shuttle service is typically the cheapest and safest way to get around. The area's metro bus lines are often overcrowded, unreliable, and can be complicated to navigate, particularly for tourists.

Like most mid-range chain hotels, the rooms are designed in a style that feels safe and familiar. Furniture is generic and traditional with hints of contemporary, although some pieces show signs of age. The property offers three room categories which differ mainly in size, but offer similar amenities. Entry-level Standard Rooms feature one-room layouts with 344 square feet (32 square meters) of living space. Simple bathrooms feature shower/tub combos covered with fabric curtains and a tray of toiletries set on a long vanity. Mid-range Superior Rooms offer similar layouts with identical square footage, but feature microwaves and more luxurious bathrooms that include a deep soaking tub and a separate glass shower stall. The hotel's flagship One-Bedroom Junior Suites upgrade slightly to 409 square feet (38 square meters) of floor space with a separate living and dining area, plus a large bathroom with a two-person whirlpool tub. The floor plan of every room category also allows for a private balcony with mostly city views, although some offer glimpses of the Caribbean Sea. Standard amenities in every category include the essentials of air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi -- plus mini-fridges, iPod docks, and flat-screen HDTVs with international programming. 

All-day dining is available at Centro, the sole on-site restaurant. The decor is crisp and contemporary with a casual atmosphere. A la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus feature a blend of Western-friendly foods (hamburgers, buffalo wings, and pasta), with a few Dominican specialties (like ceviche, rice & bean platters, and Caribbean-style grouper) as well. For a fee, evening room service is also available. Guests can opt to dine on the small outdoor terrace which also offers bar service nightly. A tiny market attached to the lobby sells snacks, beverages, toiletries, and other sundries.The outdoor pool is small, but sparkling clean. The surrounding sundeck offers a handful of lounge chairs, but feels a bit cramped. Because of the building's architecture, the space sees sunlight for only a few hours each day. While there is no poolside food or beverage service, guests will find the terrace bar relatively close by.The modestly-sized on-site gym is clean and modern with a dozen cardio and strength-training machines and a stack of free weights. Free parking is available in a large lot staffed with 24-hour security. Wi-Fi is free in all common areas, and we found the service fast and reliable during our stay.