Hotel Villa Colonial

This hotel's unassuming front entrance doesn't hint at the wonderful interiors of the historic Hotel Villa Colonial, which blend Old World class with subtle touches of contemporary and Art Deco design. Exposed brick columns, vine-covered stone walls, and Mediterranean-inspired flourishes bookend more modern elements. The property-wide Spanish Colonial decor creates an atmosphere that’s historic, intimate, and romantic throughout the 1920s era building.

The lobby and adjacent lounge are small, cozy, and adorned with plenty of dark wood, distressed furniture, Moorish floor tiles, and bright pops of Caribbean color. A relaxed, outdoor garden terrace serves as the hotel’s prime common area, though it blends into the open-air dining space of the small restaurant. The hotel’s romantic charms mainly draw international couples on vacation, though solo travelers and groups of friends also make their way here.

Located in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial tourist district, the hotel is within easy walking distance of museums, shops, parks, restaurants. Historic monuments like Parque Colon and the oldest cathedral in the Americas, Basilica Santa Maria Cathedral of the Incarnation (Catedral Primada de America), are within a 10-minute walk, while it takes about 15 minutes to reach the Alcazar de Colon on foot. As a landlocked hotel, Villa Colonial offers no beach of its own, however, Playa Montesinos is just three blocks south. The public beach offers no real facilities, but it has clean sand, port views, and the water is calm enough for young swimmers.

As the city’s public transportation system lacks a centralized hub, it can be cumbersome and confusing to navigate, especially for tourists. For a nominal, per-vehicle fee, the hotel can arrange airport shuttle transportation. Hired vans and shuttle buses are also available from the airport to downtown Santo Domingo for a fraction of the price of the often sky-high cab fares.

For guests arriving by car, Las Americas International Airport is less than 40 minutes away. Unfortunately, the hotel lacks a dedicated parking area, forcing guests to park overnight on the street or at a nearby pay lot.

The Colonial-meets-contemporary design aesthetic employed so nicely in the hotel's common area continues in each of its 11 rooms. Bright white bed linens, Mediterranean and Moorish tile flooring, trendy fabrics, original artwork by famed local artist Jose Cestero, and distressed oak furniture all contribute to an eclectic and polished look.

Each of the four room categories varies only slightly in size, amenities, and overall luxury. The entry-level Single, Double, and Triple rooms are relatively small and appointed with either one queen bed or one queen bed and a twin bed. Modern amenities in all rooms include air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. Junior Suites offer a slightly larger floor plan and feature all of the same amenities, but with a private terrace, espresso machine, and free soft drinks, tea, beer, and rum. Additional features common to all rooms include free Wi-Fi, safes, and bottled water.

The bathrooms have a minimal design aesthetic typical of a mid-range hotel. Stark white tile abounds on the floors and walls while an open shower stall and vessel sink add a hint of the high-end to the otherwise sterile bathrooms. Toiletries and a small hairdryer are provided.

As with many low-rise, downtown Santo Domingo hotels, the views from each room are quite limited. Entry-level rooms typically face an alley or nearby building, while upgraded Junior Suites offer slightly better street views with glimpses of the Colonial Zone. Even with a central downtown location, however, rooms are generally quiet.

Hotel Villa Colonial’s biggest selling point is that it packs a surprising amount of historic charm into a relatively small space. The list of noteworthy amenities is fairly thin, including a small outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi property-wide, and free continental breakfast. 

The outdoor pool is small, but clean and lends a degree of class to the hotel’s main common area, especially relative to comparable Santo Domingo city hotels. The tiny, open-air courtyard is minimally appointed, but well-maintained, and surprisingly quiet given the hotel’s location in the city’s busiest district.

Immediately adjacent to the pool, the hotel’s sole restaurant serves a continental breakfast served each morning that includes yogurt, fresh fruit, breads, and homemade jams. After noon, it operates as an additional social space with beer, wine, and a full liquor menu available in a relaxed, open-air atmosphere. Lunch and dinner are not served. Free bottled water -- of particular importance in the Dominican Republic -- is also available on request.