F4G6+2P2 frente al parque, C. José Reyes, Santo Domingo 10211, Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic | (937) 315-4602
Located on historic El Conde, near restaurants and shops
Bold, glam-inspired rooms with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning
Suites upgrade to larger floor plans and city-view balconies
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
24-hour security
Cramped layouts in most rooms and bathrooms
Surrounding area is dicey after dark
Noise from busy adjacent streets can be an issue
No parking available nearby
In an area replete with historic hotels, the two-and-a-half-pearl Savoy Hotel Boutique Santo Domingo’s contemporary design stands out, though it's not without its flaws. All 26 boldly decorated rooms include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges; Suites upgrade to balconies. The hotel’s location is its best asset as it sits at the western edge of El Conde — a bustling pedestrian walkway that’s home to dozens of tourist-friendly shops, restaurants, and bars. The cramped bathrooms, abundant street noise, and lack of features may dissuade some guests, however, prices are a real bargain. While slightly more expensive, Hotel Conde de Penalba offers more polish, an alfresco restaurant, and a better location near Parque Colon.
Scene
Small, budget boutique hotel for travelers wanting to spend most of their time exploring
Strip away the foreign flags and small sign above the entrance, and it would be easy to mistake the plain white facade for any other business along the El Conde pedestrian walkway. Inside, it’s clear the owners are striving for more sophistication and decorative panache than the hotel’s budget roots will otherwise allow. A bold, yellow and blue color scheme, pleather lounge seating, and artsy-but-generic, black & white prints all make for a nice step up from the frequently drab budget offerings in Santo Domingo. There's not much on offer here, aside from a clean place to sleep, so most guests spend their time out and about. Considering that most rooms are tiny and furnished with only a single bed, guests are typically younger couples seeking attractive rooms in the heart of the city’s most well-trafficked tourist district.
Location
On the west end of Santo Domingo’s bustling El Conde tourist strip
Santo Domingo’s El Conde is arguably the city’s most popular destination for tourists, as it's lined with dozens of restaurants, shops, and markets. The hotel’s location at the pedestrian thoroughfare’s west end makes it central to just about everything. Keep in mind that it might feel a little dicey at night. Guests seeking an escape from the hustle of the area’s pedestrian and vehicular traffic will find the small, but picturesque Parque Colon less than 10 minutes away on foot. Other historic sights, like the oldest cathedral in the Americas and Alcazar de Colon, are within a 15-minute walk. There are no postcard-worthy beaches in downtown Santo Domingo. The nicest, closest major beach is Boca Chica, which will take about 35 minutes to reach by car. The island’s largest airport — Las Americas International (SDQ) — is reachable in less than 40 minutes via a modern (though chaotic) highway. Shuttle buses and taxis are cheap, ubiquitous, and far safer options to renting a car.
Rooms
Tiny, glam-inspired rooms with air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs
The stark black-and-white decor is punctuated with a single, bold color in each room to provide a bit of visual pop. Along with decorative accents like sequin throw pillows, leather headboards, and damask wallpaper, the overall look is a trendy blend of glam, French boudoir, and contemporary. Floor plans are tight in most room categories, allowing for only enough room for guests to move around the furniture. Junior Suites and Suites have more square footage, with the latter providing city-view balconies that overlook Calle El Conde. The list of amenities in every category is solid for a value hotel. Air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs are all standard, along with free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are similarly tight, except in the upgraded categories. Shower stalls and generic bath amenities are provided in every room. Keep in mind that there will be a good deal of noise from the busy streets outside.
Features
A modest breakfast, spotty Wi-Fi, and no nearby parking
Aside from the small lobby lounge, there are few common amenities. A simple hot breakfast is served daily, though it's not included with all rates. Wi-Fi is free, though the service can be spotty. Parking is an issue as cars are not allowed on Calle El Conde and parking is limited (and often not advisable due to security concerns) on the nearby streets.